Vaccinations of Chinese Shar-Pei
When you purchase your Shar-Pei puppy, she should have already had at least one vaccination for parvovirus and distemper. Your breeder should provide you with information on the types of vaccines your Shar-Pei has had and the dates they were given. It will be up to you to continue her inoculation schedule.
Normal, healthy puppies should begin their immunization schedule at approximately six weeks of age. Boosters should be given once a year except for dogs attending dog shows. Because of the increased exposure to canine illnesses, these dogs should receive boosters at least every six months.
It is rare, but not unheard of, for a puppy to have a reaction to a vaccination. These reactions can range from mild to severe; severe ones will usually occur within a half hour after injection. Some veterinarians will ask you to wait in the office a short time to make sure your puppy is not going to have a reaction. Watch your puppy for twelve to twenty-four hours after an injection. If you note lethargy, shaking, fever or any unusual symptoms, contact your veterinarian. Many breeders prefer to give the parvovirus and distemper combinations separately at least a week apart. In addition to giving the parvo and distemper separately, most Shar-Pei breeders prefer to give the rabies injections on still another office visit. No matter what schedule you choose to follow, it is extremely important that your Shar-Pei be protected from the most common viral and bacterial diseases:
Canine distemper is a very serious canine viral disease that usually affects the gastrointestinal system, the respiratory system and the nervous system. It can occur at any age but is most devastating to very young and very old dogs. A thick, yellowish discharge from the nose, matter in the eyes, fever and refusal to eat are some of the symptoms. Pneumonia can develop, and encephalitis can result from the high fever, which sometimes leads to brain damage.
Canine coronavirus infection is a highly contagious disease affecting the gastrointestinal tract. While not usually as virulent, the symptoms are similar to those of parvovirus: a high fever, vomiting and an orange/yellowish diarrhea. This is especially serious in young puppies because of the danger of dehydration.
Bordetella is one of the major bacterial components of a disease complex known as “kennel cough” or infectious ttracheobronchitis. This is an acute respiratory disease in dogs, which manifests as a dry, non-productive cough. It can then be further complicated by bacterial infection with agents such as Bordetella and the mycoplasmas. It is advisable to protect your dog with a vaccination at least two weeks before he is exposed to other dogs either in a kennel/boarding situation or at a dog show, as Bordetella is highly contagious.
Canine leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that may lead to permanent kidney damage. It is easily spread to other pets and to humans.
Canine parainfluenza is another cause of kennel cough. Although it is often a mild respiratory infection in otherwise healthy dogs, it can be severe in puppies or weaker dogs.
Canine parvovirus is an intestinal viral disease that first appeared in 1977. Symptoms include a high fever, severe depression, vomiting and loose, bloody stools. It is particularly lethal to very young dogs and older dogs. Dehydration may occur due to the vomiting and diarrhea. Once a dog has contracted parvo, supportive therapy of fluids and electrolytes is necessary. As veterinarians become more knowledgeable about the disease, it is becoming more treatable but still requires very intensive treatment
Lyme disease is a bacterial disease caused by a spirochete (Borrelia Burgdorferi) and is thought to be spread through direct contact with ticks (especially the deer tick, which is so small it often goes undetected).
Arthritis-like symptoms may occur and one of the first symptoms in the dog is lameness, which if untreated subsides but returns and gets progressively worse. In humans, the disease usually begins with a rash and mild, flulike symptoms. The dog may have had a rash that went undetected because of his coat If treated early with antibiotics, most patients will recover without complications, but the disease is often either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Always check yourself and your dog for ticks after an outing in grass or woods. In case of illness, keep any ticks found imbedded in the skin in alcohol for further examination.
Rabies is one of the world’s most publicized and feared diseases and is almost always fatal to both animals and humans. The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system and is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Because it is probably the most serious disease that can be spread to man from an infected animal, all states require that your dog be vaccinated against rabies. State laws vary, but the usual required age for vaccination is four to six months. Even though your dog is confined to your home and yard, this does not mean that she cannot contract rabies from a wild animal or roaming domesticated animal. The incidence of rabies is increasing in skunks, raccoons, foxes, bats and woodchucks (groundhogs), and it is not uncommon for one of these animals to appear in a suburban backyard.
If your dog is bitten by any other animal, either wild or domesticated, it is most important that you determine whether that animal has been vaccinated against rabies. If it is a wild animal, it is important that the animal be quarantined for at least two weeks. Call the animal warden in your area or contact your local animal shelter for information. You should call your veterinarian and ask his advice about a rabies booster for your dog.