How To Keep Your Shar Pei Healthy

Shar Pei's have health problems that are as unique to their breed as their individual personality. There are many Shar Pei health problems that can affect your dog due to the wrinkles in their skin 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.

You will know your Shar Pei has problems with their eyes when they begin pawing at them. Due to their wrinkles, the Shar Pei has problems with the lids rolling in. Sometimes it can affect just the top lid or the bottom lid and occasionally both lids will be affected. It is important to correct this Shar Pei health problem as soon as possible because without the operation your Shar Pei can eventually go blind. For the dog it is the same as having an eyelash stuck in your eye and everyone knows 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 Shar Pei health is to check between their paws from time to time. Sometimes a Shar Pei can get sore paws and you will know this when your dog starts to constantly lick their paws. Your veterinarian can recommend an antibiotic salve that won't harm your Shar Pei if they lick it. The antibiotic will also help to relieve the soreness between the paws.

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. It is important to carefully consider the puppy and the person you are getting them from before taking a Shar Pei into your household. If you have any concerns about your Shar Pei's health then you should talk with your veterinarian who is trained to handle breed specific problems.

Melissa Coleman is a dog lover who wants to make sure you know how to properly care for your Shar Pei. The most important part of keeping your dog healthy is Shar Pei care. An additional part of caring for you dog is to find the best Shar Pei diet.