Who has a Chinese Shar-Pei or knows about them?

I have a Chinese Shar-Pei that is almost a year old. She has dry skin problems and is a short hair dog but is shedding. I took her to the vet. and spent close to $200 on her not long ago and she keeps having sores from sratching dry skin. I've put this stuff called hot spots on her for flees, ticks, and everything else. Plus baby oil to hydrate her skin. Please any advice will be appreciated. She is like my daughter.

Who has a Chinese Shar-Pei or knows about them?

Unfortunately, Shar-Pei are still a health-challenged breed. Several years ago they were very popular and everybody and his brother were breeding them for the $$$$$$ with no regard to health or quality. The problem is not inbreeding, but careless breeding. The breed is still recovering.

The first thing I would look at is diet. If you are feeding a food with corn, try one without. Try different protein bases. A friend of mine raises them and says they don't do well on a high-protein food. You may have to try several different foods before you find one that will help, or you may even have to make her food yourself.

You might also look into the vaccination issue. Although I do believe in vaccinations, I think they are overused. A dog with allergies has a defective immune system, and too many vaccinations will make it worse. Discuss with your vet the possibility of going to a 3-year schedule for shots. I had a dog whose allergies were so bad his vet said he must NEVER have another shot. Also watch out for certain topical medications ( like frontline or advantage) that SOME dogs are sensitive to. These are useful products, but some dogs should not use them.

Do some research on nutrition %26amp; allergies. Unfortunately, most vets are not very knowlegeable on either of these subjects and simply dispense medication to treat the symptoms, rather than working on the cause.

Good luck!

Who has a Chinese Shar-Pei or knows about them?

Why do people get nasty inbred dogs that have nothing but problems?

Who has a Chinese Shar-Pei or knows about them?

This is one of the hazards of having a Shar-Pei. If she has open sores you might need to get antibiotics to clear it up again. You shouldn't use baby oil on her. Petsmart and such have shampoos that are moisturizing and you can also get conditioners that will help some. Does she have food allergies? Change her to a Lamb and Rice formula and leave her on it for at least 2 months to see if it will help. Good luck.

Who has a Chinese Shar-Pei or knows about them?

I had one with the same problem. I bought her a medicated shampoo from the pet store to help with it. It helped, but didn't completely rid her of the problem. I'm sad to say I lost her to cancer a few years back. She was my baby. My husband and I bought her after I had a miscarriage. I still miss her. They are a very loyal breed of dog.

Who has a Chinese Shar-Pei or knows about them?

We had a Shar-Pei (my favorite dog). They are known to having skin problems because of all the imbreeding. I'm not sure if your is but ours was a pure pred and it would always get spots where the hair would fall out and we had to put ointment on it and keep him from scratching. I remember that he had to take a steroid everyday to help with a problem also.

I loved him when he was younger cuz of all the wrinkles and how we had to get his eyes stitched up because his wrinkles fell over his eyes and he kept running into walls when he would walk.

He got Stage III Cancer around his neck and they had to shave his skin and put some rod in that would let this stuff drip out. We put him down when we thought that he had enough. He wasn't in pain because he would still play but when started to not be himself we decided it was time.

Who has a Chinese Shar-Pei or knows about them?

well they should hav naturally wrinkley skin.

Who has a Chinese Shar-Pei or knows about them?

It is amazing to me how this breed seems to get under the skin of their owners. They always say how loyal this dog breed is, I think the owners are, too! How else would you explain someone going through all the trouble of owning this health challenged breed?!!?

Your problems are very common. It takes a variety of treatments to keep the skin of this breed healthy. It will help if you know whether she has a "horse" or "brush" coat. They are both short, but different textures, and each has it's own problems. Do a google search for Shar-Pei message boards. You can then talk directly to other owners who will give you lots of tips and support. Good luck with your girl.