- Shar Pei fever
Shar Pei fever is a condition seen in
Shar Pei characterized by recurringfever and swelling of the hocks. It is similar tofamilial Mediterranean fever in humans. The cause is unknown, but it is thought to be inherited.cite book|author=Ettinger, Stephen J.;Feldman, Edward C.|title=Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine|edition=4th ed.|publisher=W.B. Saunders Company|year=1995|id=ISBN 0-7216-6795-3] Shar Pei fever can result in renal andliver failure through accumulation ofamyloid in those organs (amyloidosis).Affected Shar Pei have an elevated level of
interleukin 6 , and this leads to an accumulation ofacute phase protein s in the body during the fevers. The acute phase proteins are broken down to form type AA amyloid, which deposits in thekidney s and less so in theliver ,spleen , andgastrointestinal tract . [cite journal |author=Tellier L |title=Immune-mediated vasculitis in a shar-pei with swollen hock syndrome |journal=Can Vet J |volume=42 |issue=2 |pages=137–9 |year=2001 |pmid=11272460] 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 symptoms can be treated with
NSAID s such ascarprofen . 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 anddimethyl sulfoxide are most commonly used. Dogs taking colchicine must be monitored closely for signs ofbone marrow disease. Theprognosis is guarded for Shar Pei that develop amyloidosis.References
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