The Shar-Pei Forums-Health Behavior Diet & Rescue Info and Discussion Group

I am owned and loved by 3 pei babies. Samson & Deliala (brother & sister) & Sumo (rescue). They have all had bouts of fever, but our little Deliala seems more suseptible to them. After reading many posts on here I would like to ask a few questions. I am going to go to the health food store and want to be clear about exactly what I should purchase. I think I am clear on the use of Belladonna (use on onset of fever). There is also talk of using MSM daily...is that also helpful in preventing fevers? Should I be using MSM daily, and using Belladonna if a fever should come. Also, what would dosage be of these...my babies all weigh between 60-65 pounds. This is a wonderful place with lots of good info...thank you for your help. PS..have also read that I should be giving them Vit C everyday (1000mg).

My dog also has bouts of the Shar Pei fever. They've gotten worse recently, with a fever of 106 that I couldn't break with aspirin, cold compresses and lots of cold water. The vet recommended a daily, preventative does of Prednisone. But I'm uncomfortable giving him constant doses of steroids. What is the research on use of Belladonna? And what is MSM?

Thanks, and good luck with your kids.

Hi,
My peibaby just had a fever this weekend, 105.1, and I had a difficult time lowering it. I used aspirin, cold compresses and sub-cutanous fluids. When I talked to the vet, she told me to also try cool water in the rectum. Luckily, my pei's fever went down and I didn't have to do that, but I plan to talk with my vet further about it because she said it is one of the quickest ways to decrease a fever and it's safe. Of course, the problem is decreasing the fever too much, there are also issues such as kidney and liver problems, etc.
Best of Luck!
:yippee:
Lori

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Love your pei babies every day!!

Well the belladonna I have is '200c', it in a concentrated solution, but we ony give 3 - 4 drops on a biscuits or bit of food, when we suspect that he has a temperature. SO if he doesn't it, or if he seemed a bit quiet or doesn't bark if we go to the door - you get to know the signs that will lead to him getting a fever.

I can't be 100% sure that it works, but it has seemed to stop fevers developing, when he shows all the symptoms of one coming on. (Obviously the only way to priove that is to leave him and see if he does get a raging temperature - which is the last thing you want to do.

Good thing with the belladonna is that it has no side effects.

Here is a link to a place you can find out more about homeopathic treatments and there are links to both USA and UK suppliers. I got mine from a vet about 18 months ago and it lasts for ages.

http://www.abchomeopathy.com/r.php/Bell

Then if say we go out, so miss the onset of a fever, we will give him rimodyl (an anti-inflammatory, normally given via injection by the vet to reduce temperature / inflammation. Check the correct dosage with your vet.

This brings his temperature back down within 2 hours.

Rimodyl is not reccommended for a regular daily does, it is an only when needed solution, but it has saved a streesful visit to the vet, for subcutaneous fluids and cold drips and an overnight stay for the Rollster on a couple of occassions.

My two year old shar pei had the Shar Pei fever about a year ago. But the really bad part about it was that we were in Boston on vacation, and when we got back we discovered that his front left limb had swollen to about triple the size and he had a fever of 104. We called our emergency vet and he said that this is what happens when you let the fever go (though we didn't know he had a fever, nor did his sitter). I advise that if your shar has a fever take him to the vet and put him on super-antibiotics. Our shar about died and those pills killed the fever and his swelling (the swelling was so bad that he couldn't use that limb, nor feel it). Just my opinion.

Honey is 3 yrs ,she had fever 3 times in last 6 mths. Has fever NOW --with swollen and bleeding hocks . All in 24 hours. White blood cell count 400 (should be 4000-8000) Situation worsening. Anyone with any ideas on immune system shutdown?
Is this the final stage of the fever? Doctor checking bone marrow.
Any ideas?
Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Any news? Were they 100% sure it was Shar Pei fever? Normally a fever attack can be treated an bought under control quite quickly.

I am not a vet, but I presume he is checking for other things? Hence the bone marrow test.

Let us know what happens.

Hi,
Fever seems to have gone.Swelling seems to have gone down. Vet is still perplexed with low white cell blood count. He says this is still very serious and she is still at emergency hospital.She has no immune system to fight disease. He has her on cortisone and is doing a urinalysis today and will decide on bone marrow test tomorrow.Have you heard of anything re bone marrow or what we can do to increase white blood cell count?
Regards,
Kevin

Thanks for your help . We now know low white blood cell count is not unusual in fever. Honey has embolism on spinal cord which led to paralysis of rear legs. we are taking it one day at a time.Embolism complicated fever symptoms and she may not recover from so much disease unless white blod cells increase which they are doing slowly.We panicked but Alan ,Dr Vidt and other websites provided much info to help understand.
Heartfelt thanks and Shar pei's are the best breed of all.
Regards,
Kevin

Many thanks to Alan and all shar pei lovers info. Honey was put to sleep today.Too many complications with fever to stand.Hope to get full report to Dr Vidt if it may help others with this curse of a disease. 3 of the best years of our life with a super dog.
Thanks to all.
Regards.
Kevin

Many thanks to Alan and all shar pei lovers info. Honey was put to sleep today.Too many complications with fever to stand.Hope to get full report to Dr Vidt if it may help others with this curse of a disease. 3 of the best years of our life with a super dog.
Thanks to all.
Regards.
Kevin

Kevin,

I am so sorry to hear that you lost Honey, it sounds though like she had many more problems than just the fevers.

Give it some time, it does get better and maybe in the future you could bring another dog into your home to help fill the void that is no doubt there.

Do you have a picture of Honey that you could share with us - sounds like she was a very special Pei.

Dear member number 9,
Thanks for your thoughts. Honey was special and we will try to post a picture asap.
Honey died from too many complications from high deposits of Amilyodosis and she could not fight on.This was brought on by the shar pei fever.I would not take this disease lightly and get a dog with it to the vet right away.
I rang our Shar Pei Assn and they said when buying a dog from a registered breeder PLEASE CHECK THE BLOOD LINES for FEVER. We did not.

[img]http://www.sharpeiforums.com/images/members/00000611/Honey2.jpg[/img]
This is our Honey - we called her Honey B because she was just the most beautiful dog. She had more love and affection in three years than any dog I know but boy are we happy we did! My suggestion would be spoil them EVERY day - it makes this horrendous pain ease. We are going to do everything within our power to try to make others aware of the importance of checking bloodlines and stopping anyone who is breeding these gorgeous dogs to have this pain inflicted on them.
(for Kevin)

Hello Kevin, So Sorry to hear about 'Honey', our prayers are with you at this time...

Re bone marrow test, this is one of the test Vet's do to see if a dog has AIHA...
(AUTOIMMUNE HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA) AIHA can be primary or secondary to other diseases...

I do hope in time you will find a place in your heart and home for another Pei, you now know to ask the right questions, remember to be wary of breeders who say that all Pei's have it in there line's...

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Kevin,

Honey B was so very beautiful and a precious soul.

Her life, cut too short was full. Her death will not be in vain as you honour her through your efforts fighting the terrible disease that took her from you.

My heart if full of pain thinking of what you are experiencing loosing Honey B.

Ann :love:

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