FSF episodes

From experience, you will get used to the fever episodes. But the first one is always the most terrifying as Shar Peis tend to lock their hind legs when in pain. They start to "bunny hop" up and down the stairs, and some temporarily lose the capacity to walk altogether.

As indicated above, you will be habitually measuring their hocks. The trick is to keep an eye on the fever, start a timer to ensure it doesn't exceed the 48h it usually lasts, and administer Carprofen or similar (provided by a veterinarian) if the dog appears to be in particular discomfort.

Living with FSF is not a bad life for a Sharpei that's receiving a lot of love. The episodes often become less frequent, going from weekly to monthly to "once in a blue moon". They can play, eat and socialize (well, up to Shar Pei standards, that is).

I'm afraid it's also what will lure you into a false sense of safety.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Before kidney failure, there is a short but noticeable passage through what is called "Chronic Kidney Disease". CKD is technically survivable, but the pet's quality of life will be strongly affected. It is when most owners start to break down psychologically and ask questions about whether the dog would be "better at home" or "treated in a hospital".

Note that CKD can manifest itself without amyloidosis.

This section is also where you stop reading if you are sensitive to written graphic materials, are of an anxious disposition, or generally do not want to know "how it ends."

I opted to include the following because Pillow's veterinarian was not communicating with us. As  described above: a pricy service, despite an overwhelmed reception room, and a reception that's blocking all calls to the actual doctor. A "reputable" chain in fact operating a rotating fleet of veterinarians that might as well be anonymous. I wish I had known the following.

"Chronic" evidently is the opposite of "Acute". It means it's here to stay, too. FSF is not the only reason for CKD in Shar Pei. CKD stages are qualified from 1 through 4 by IRIS, with four being the most severe. The higher the stage number, the more symptoms and the more severe the symptoms will be observed. I lost Pillow to kidney failure, and I still don't know if it was 1, 2, 3 or 4. All I know is that it's those symptoms included:

🡲 Vomiting

🡲 Blood in feces

🡲 Lethargy

🡲 Uncoordinated movement

🡲 Significant decrease in appetite

On the only positive note in this chapter, Shar Peis are built differently than other dogs. Your Shar Pei-naive veterinarian might be amazed by the numbers from the test results. So much so, that some owners report Shar Peis that lived with CKD until 14 years after surviving five or six "Kidney Crashes", as they are called.

A "Kidney Crash" is not necessarily lethal in a Shar Pei. It is the stage where you will hear specialist breeders and veterinarians say things like "judge the dog by the attitude, not the numbers". Some swear by home treatment (since injections can be done sub-cutaneously, or "subQ"). Shar Peis with CKD are rumored to fare better at home than in the stressful environment of a hospital.

Ultimately, this part is up to you, the owner. Will you have the physical and mental strength to hold and inject your 25kg dog? Since CKD leads to other issues, including gastric ones, will you be able to gauge what the problem is? It's easy to judge, give advice, and write a website. Still, some owners are (rightfully) wary of conducting what appears to be serious medical procedures at home.

The numbers, however, don't lie: the median survival time for dogs in Stage 1 is more than 400 days, Stage 2 ranges from 200 to 400 days and Stage 3 ranges from 110 to 200 days. Shar Peis are on the longer end of these arbitrary ranges, but these will be the most trying times for both the dog and its owners.

Quality of life has now decreased considerably, soiling is a constant issue, and for those without help at home, I do not blame owners who trust veterinarians to take care of their "babies" more than they trust themselves.

Kidney Failure/Death

It's the question everyone mumbles under their breath; no one wants to ask should they "jynx" it, and it's the part of life that we in the West have become masters at hiding even in human care homes: the end.

We treat our dogs like our children. We buy them little clothes, little shoes for the winter. We care for their nose and paws by applying soothing creams. We watch them grow from puppies to older, grumpier versions of themselves, but still just as adorable.

NO ONE wants to see them go. But the reality of CKD is that it is followed by Kidney Failure, which WILL take their lives. Death is a part of life.

You may think of the following as grotesque, but understanding how a dog can go is something my veterinarian didn't specify and could have easily cost more than my dog's life. Mercifully, Pillow passed the "calm" way, and no one was hurt. But it could have been much, much worse.

Warning: the following is extremely graphic and not generally available on the Internet.

There are roughly three ways a Shar Pei with Kidney failure can pass:

1_ There will come a time when your veterinarian, "good" or "bad", will tell you, "there's nothing we can do anymore," and you will bring your baby home. It is what happened to my Pillow. Dogs with kidney failure will naturally attempt to sleep to recover and pass during their sleep from a heart attack. It is my understanding that it's painless.

2_ Kidney failure can cause seizures. This is where I have to raise a red flag, especially for owners that live alone. You will be forced to manhandle your seizing pet into a vehicle to the veterinarian that needs to be opened 24/7 if this takes place at night, and the dog will be euthanized on arrival to prevent further suffering. Few of us can handle this type of stress. Few of us can handle the trauma.

3_ Likewise, kidney failure can cause uncontrollable (non-stop) vomiting. In the same scenario as #2, you will need to take your pet to the veterinarian, and euthanasia will be instantly deemed the more humane option.

I cannot insist enough: while it may be true that Shar Peis DO recover better at home (given the proper home treatment), you MUST, at all cost, have access to a vehicle and a calm driver to take you effectively to the veterinarian, at any time of day or night.

You MUST, again at all costs, surround yourself with loved ones, friends, family, neighbours, hired help, ANYTHING to help you through this difficult time. The last thing needed is a car accident on the way, or a total mental breakdown from the owner leading to irresponsible behaviour (such as substance abuse).

We were "blessed" that our little Pillow passed quietly without pain, minimizing the trauma on the humans who loved him so much, but for goodness's sake, PLEASE, PLEASE be ready for the worst so that a terrible situation doesn't turn into a worst one.