Shar Pei fever
Encyclopedia
Shar Pei fever is a condition seen in Shar Pei
characterized by recurring fever
and swelling of the hock
s. It is similar to familial Mediterranean fever
in humans. The cause is unknown, but it is thought to be inherited. Shar Pei fever can result in renal
and liver failure
through accumulation of amyloid
in those organs (amyloidosis).
Affected Shar Pei have an elevated level of interleukin 6
, and this leads to an accumulation of acute phase protein
s in the body during the fevers. The acute phase proteins are broken down to form type AA amyloid, which deposits in the kidney
s and less so in the liver
, spleen
, and gastrointestinal tract
. This eventually leads to kidney or liver failure by the age of six years.
The symptoms of Shar Pei fever include fever, swelling, and pain in the hocks that usually resolves within two days. The swelling in the hocks is easily recognizable--the hock will resemble a flaccid waterballoon, rather than stiff swelling following a sprain or break. The symptoms can be treated with NSAIDs such as carprofen
. Kidney and liver failure cannot be treated except by the conventional manner usually used for those diseases. Prevention of amyloidosis is sometimes used in dogs with recurring episodes of Shar Pei fever. Colchicine
and dimethyl sulfoxide
are most commonly used. Dogs taking colchicine must be monitored closely for signs of bone marrow
disease. The prognosis
is guarded for Shar Pei that develop amyloidosis. Discuss the use of colchicine with your vet. It may not be the best solution, as it can have multiple side effects.
FSF attacks can most often be linked to excess stress, both physical and emotional. These attacks usually accompany other illnesses, or stem from residual stress after extended periods of isolation or separation from the owner. The simplest treatment to slow the progression of the condition toward amyloidosis is to avoid the attacks altogether. This is usually possible by eliminating the dog's source of stress. Rest, along with treatment of any other illness, will facilitate the relief of an existing attack. Health maintenance will help to ensure that the attacks do not persist. It is important to remember that, as FSF is a genetic condition, if a dog has one attack, he will always be susceptible to another. Attacks may also occur due to something as simple as allergies, more frequent in certain months of the year.
It is also worth noting, that with any fever the dog should be monitored to insure their temperature does not rise above 105 degrees. At that temperature several complications can occur. If the dog's temperature rises above 104 degrees, sometimes a half of an adult aspirin can be given to temporarily reduce the temperature. Though, after the temperature decreases it may rise again later when the aspirin starts wearing off. If the dog's temperature rises above 105, you should take it to an emergency vet. There is little that can be done, but they may decide to give fluids under the skin. If it is cold where you live, it can also help to go outside with the dog. Dogs cool through their tongues and the pads of their feet. Applying rubbing alcohol has also been suggested on the pads of the feet, but through personal experience this is not easy to do and did not seem to make a significant difference. Fill your dogs dish with ice water,as this can also lower their temp.
Shar Pei
The Shar Pei, or Chinese Shar-Pei, is a breed of dog known for its distinctive features of deep wrinkles and a blue-black tongue. The breed comes from China. The name translates to "sand skin" and refers to the texture of its short, rough coat...
characterized by recurring fever
Fever
Fever is a common medical sign characterized by an elevation of temperature above the normal range of due to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and shivering.As a person's temperature increases, there is, in...
and swelling of the hock
Hock (zoology)
The hock, or gambrel, is the joint between the tarsal bones and tibia of a digitigrade or unguligrade quadrupedal mammal, such as a horse, cat, or dog...
s. It is similar to familial Mediterranean fever
Familial Mediterranean fever
Familial Mediterranean fever is a hereditary inflammatory disorder. FMF is an autoinflammatory disease caused by mutations in MEFV, a gene which encodes a 781–amino acid protein denoted pyrin....
in humans. The cause is unknown, but it is thought to be inherited. Shar Pei fever can result in renal
Chronic renal failure
Chronic kidney disease , also known as chronic renal disease, is a progressive loss in renal function over a period of months or years. The symptoms of worsening kidney function are unspecific, and might include feeling generally unwell and experiencing a reduced appetite...
and liver failure
Liver failure
Acute liver failure is the appearance of severe complications rapidly after the first signs of liver disease , and indicates that the liver has sustained severe damage . The complications are hepatic encephalopathy and impaired protein synthesis...
through accumulation of amyloid
Amyloid
Amyloids are insoluble fibrous protein aggregates sharing specific structural traits. Abnormal accumulation of amyloid in organs may lead to amyloidosis, and may play a role in various neurodegenerative diseases.-Definition:...
in those organs (amyloidosis).
Affected Shar Pei have an elevated level of interleukin 6
Interleukin 6
Interleukin-6 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IL6 gene.IL-6 is an interleukin that acts as both a pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine. It is secreted by T cells and macrophages to stimulate immune response, e.g. during infection and after trauma, especially burns or other...
, and this leads to an accumulation of acute phase protein
Acute phase protein
Acute-phase proteins are a class of proteins whose plasma concentrations increase or decrease in response to inflammation...
s in the body during the fevers. The acute phase proteins are broken down to form type AA amyloid, which deposits in the kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
s and less so in the liver
Liver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
, spleen
Spleen
The spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrate animals with important roles in regard to red blood cells and the immune system. In humans, it is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. It removes old red blood cells and holds a reserve of blood in case of hemorrhagic shock...
, and gastrointestinal tract
Gastrointestinal tract
The human gastrointestinal tract refers to the stomach and intestine, and sometimes to all the structures from the mouth to the anus. ....
. This eventually leads to kidney or liver failure by the age of six years.
The symptoms of Shar Pei fever include fever, swelling, and pain in the hocks that usually resolves within two days. The swelling in the hocks is easily recognizable--the hock will resemble a flaccid waterballoon, rather than stiff swelling following a sprain or break. The symptoms can be treated with NSAIDs such as carprofen
Carprofen
Carprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used by veterinarians as a supportive treatment for the relief of arthritic symptoms in geriatric dogs. It is also used for pain relief and to reduce swelling after spay or neuter...
. Kidney and liver failure cannot be treated except by the conventional manner usually used for those diseases. Prevention of amyloidosis is sometimes used in dogs with recurring episodes of Shar Pei fever. Colchicine
Colchicine
Colchicine is a medication used for gout. It is a toxic natural product and secondary metabolite, originally extracted from plants of the genus Colchicum...
and dimethyl sulfoxide
Dimethyl sulfoxide
Dimethyl sulfoxide is an organosulfur compound with the formula 2SO. This colorless liquid is an important polar aprotic solvent that dissolves both polar and nonpolar compounds and is miscible in a wide range of organic solvents as well as water...
are most commonly used. Dogs taking colchicine must be monitored closely for signs of bone marrow
Bone marrow
Bone marrow is the flexible tissue found in the interior of bones. In humans, bone marrow in large bones produces new blood cells. On average, bone marrow constitutes 4% of the total body mass of humans; in adults weighing 65 kg , bone marrow accounts for approximately 2.6 kg...
disease. The prognosis
Prognosis
Prognosis is a medical term to describe the likely outcome of an illness.When applied to large statistical populations, prognostic estimates can be very accurate: for example the statement "45% of patients with severe septic shock will die within 28 days" can be made with some confidence, because...
is guarded for Shar Pei that develop amyloidosis. Discuss the use of colchicine with your vet. It may not be the best solution, as it can have multiple side effects.
FSF attacks can most often be linked to excess stress, both physical and emotional. These attacks usually accompany other illnesses, or stem from residual stress after extended periods of isolation or separation from the owner. The simplest treatment to slow the progression of the condition toward amyloidosis is to avoid the attacks altogether. This is usually possible by eliminating the dog's source of stress. Rest, along with treatment of any other illness, will facilitate the relief of an existing attack. Health maintenance will help to ensure that the attacks do not persist. It is important to remember that, as FSF is a genetic condition, if a dog has one attack, he will always be susceptible to another. Attacks may also occur due to something as simple as allergies, more frequent in certain months of the year.
It is also worth noting, that with any fever the dog should be monitored to insure their temperature does not rise above 105 degrees. At that temperature several complications can occur. If the dog's temperature rises above 104 degrees, sometimes a half of an adult aspirin can be given to temporarily reduce the temperature. Though, after the temperature decreases it may rise again later when the aspirin starts wearing off. If the dog's temperature rises above 105, you should take it to an emergency vet. There is little that can be done, but they may decide to give fluids under the skin. If it is cold where you live, it can also help to go outside with the dog. Dogs cool through their tongues and the pads of their feet. Applying rubbing alcohol has also been suggested on the pads of the feet, but through personal experience this is not easy to do and did not seem to make a significant difference. Fill your dogs dish with ice water,as this can also lower their temp.