Skin Disorders in a Shar-pei

The Chinese Shar-pei is known for its wrinkles, aloof temperament and special needs. It is prone to a variety of skin disorders and requires a great deal of extra care to prevent some of these conditions. Meticulous grooming is essential for the Shar-pei. The Mar Vista Animal Medical Center recommends baths at least once a week, daily brushing, good nutrition, a clean environment and special attention to flea control to prevent skin disorders.

  1. Infections

    • The skin folds of a Shar-pei are susceptible to problems such as Staph and other bacterial infections, such as pyroderma. The skin will become moist, red and foul smelling. Some infections result from stress and allergies. Dr. Jeff W. Vidt indicates that allergic inhalant dermatitis is the most common cause of allergic skin disease. Early symptoms include itching and hair loss.

    Mange

    • Mar Vista indicates that demodectic mange is a condition where mites cause inflammation of the skin. Your veterinarian can diagnose it through a skin scraping or in some cases, a skin biopsy. Symptoms include hair loss and red, inflamed skin on the head, trunk and legs. When it occurs in young dogs it is often outgrown as the dog develops immunity. In dogs older than one year, however, generalized demodecosis can be life-threatening and is difficult to treat. Dr. Vidt indicates that demodectic mange is possibly the most common skin problem in the Shar-pei. In many cases it is not curable and requires treatment for the remainder of the dog's life. Sarcoptic mange, also caused by mites and common in young dogs, is contagious to humans.

    Eyelids

    • The breed's facial wrinkles may rub against the eye, resulting in ulcers, erosion and, in severe cases, blindness, according to Mar Vista. Vets commonly perform a procedure called "eyelid tacking" on young puppies to keep the eyelids from rubbing the eyes until the puppy has matured.

    Masses

    • Dr. Vidt indicates that masses are a common skin problem in the Shar-pei. These can be benign or cancerous. A vet will typically order a needle aspiration and examine the cells. Mast cell tumors are common and tend to be aggressive. Prompt surgical removal is important. Histiocytomas (benign growths) may appear on the face and legs. Lipomas (fatty growths) may also appear on the skin.

    Other Disorders

    • Cutaneous mucinosis is a condition where blisters appear on the legs, flanks and under the neck, sometimes resulting in superficial infections if the dog scratches them open. Puncture or bite wounds can develop into abscesses. Signs of seborrhea include an oily coat, flakes and foul odor, usually as a secondary condition to other skin problems. Malassezia dermatitis, caused by yeast, appears as oily, crusty skin with a bad odor and thinning hair. Ringworm is caused by a fungus. Superficial sores that result from the dog persistently licking or chewing an itchy area are called hot spots.