Proper Shar Pei Care
Shar Pei’s not only have a unique personality but they also have health problems that are just as unique to their breed as their personality. Due to the wrinkles in a Shar Pei’s skin they face many Shar Pei health problems such as ear infections, skin problems and eye problems.
Keeping regular appointments when a veterinarian who is aware of the problems specific to the Shar Pei breed is the best way to avoid health problems with your dog.
Your veterinarian can give you an ear wash to use at least once a week in order to keep your dogs ears clean. The ear wash is an important part of keeping the earwax loose both inside the ear and further down in the ear canal. It is also a good idea to place a special salve in the ears at least once a month in order to prevent ear infections. If you notice any signs of an ear infection it is important to get your dog to a veterinarian right away for treatment. The key to keeping your dog healthy is to get medical attention for any conditions such as ear infections.
When your Shar Pei begins pawing at their eyes you know they have eye problems. The Shar Pei can have problems with the lids rolling in because of the wrinkles in their skin. Sometimes just the top or bottom lids are affected but in some cases both the lids can be affected. As soon as possible you want to correct this Shar Pei health problem with an operation otherwise your Shar Pei can eventually go blind. For your dog it feels the same as having an eyelash stuck in your eye and you know how painful that can be.
The most common Shar Pei health problem is skin conditions. If your Shar Pei doesn’t have skin problems they are actually the rare dog of the breed compared to other Shar Pei’s. Sometimes skin problems can result from too much bathing. When you bathe your Shar Pei it is important to rinse them very well. To help with the itching you can use human Benedryl and it won’t harm the dog.
Another important part of the Shar Pei health is to look between the paws from time to time. You will know when your Shar Pei develops sore paws because they will start to lick their paws constantly. Your veterinarian can recommend an antibiotic salve that will get rid of the soreness between their paws without harming your dog in case they lick it.
Despite their health problems the Shar Pei makes an excellent pet. If you are getting your dog from a reputable breeder there is less chance that your Shar Pei will develop breed specific health problems. On the other hand, getting a Shar Pei from a puppy mill or unknown source could have health problems.
On the other hand, your Shar Pei could have health problems if you get them from a puppy mill or an unknown source. Before taking a Shar Pei into your household it is important to carefully consider the puppy and the person you are getting your dog from. You should talk with your veterinarian about any concerns you have regarding your Shar Pei health since they are trained to handle breed specific problems.
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