I wish I could write that all is well once the dog is diagnosed, treated and fed correctly. But the reality is far different. If you're anxious, distracted or nervous: not only will your dog sense it, but you will not operate at 100% capacity to provide the care your four-legged companion deserves.

Making peace within the household

We've all done it: anxiety about a condition with your chest or limbs led you to some website, and you convinced yourself you had some form of cancer. In reality, you were anxious at work and ate lousy seafood. The same applies to dogs: everyone is an expert now thanks to Google.

If you're not the sole owner of your dog, talk with the rest of the family, including the dog-walker if you are lucky to have one. Obtain information and ask questions on reputable forums. The Shar Pei subreddit comes to mind, as does the Sharpei Health & Nutrition Facebook group. Some amazingly talented people generously give their time on those sites and will put your mind at ease.

Obtaining Advanced information

Suppose we could identify the genes causing FSF. In that case, we could find a solution through either genetic treatment (in the far-flung future) or selective breeding (more likely).

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we at SharpeiFSF are not veterinarians. But if research papers are your thing, two highly respected papers on the topic are located here and here, respectively. From there, I warn you: you're opening Pandora's box of Shar Pei health, a subject that's as complicated as it is obscure if you're not a specialist. But there is strength in knowledge and, more importantly, for some, relief.

Planning for the worse

I'm not going to mince my words here: the reality is that "Shar-Pei Recurrent Fever Syndrome" has no known cure. As frustrating as it may be, the best you can do is manage the dog and reassure yourself, knowing that some Shar Peis affected by this disorder lived to be over 12. The average Shar Pei lifespan is roughly 8 to 12 years.

You, therefore, need to be ready for the worse. Once Chronic Kidney Disease sets in (CKD), the FSF episodes will feel a long way away "when things were easy to manage". I opted to include this information in the "When the worst happens" section to ensure no one inadvertently gets exposed to reading material that could worry them unnecessarily.

But take this from someone who lived through it: have at least one household member ready to drive to the veterinarian safely, in a controlled way and does not panic easily. Or, if that's not possible, opt for a veterinarian that provides a 24/7 "pet ambulance" service.

Finally, you should always have pet health insurance. I know it's expensive for Shar Peis, but there's a reason.