Another Name: idiopathic mucinosis

Disease Description: Cutaneous mucinosis, also known as idiopathic mucinosis, primarily affects Chinese Shar Peis, and is common to the breed.

Inherit Mode: unknown. There is probably a relationship between the increased mucin under the skin of the shar pei, and the pronounced skin folds of the breed.

Disease Symptom: Most often this condition is only cosmetic - thatis, it will affectyour dog's appearance but not his or her health. Shar peis withmucinosis have excessiveskin folding and/or lumps and bumps (vesicles or pockets of mucin).Many dogs seem tooutgrow the condition by 5 or so years of age. Excessive mucinosis can interfere with breathingif the vesicles arein the back of the mouth. This may cause your dog to snort and snore,and can increase therisks associated with general anesthesia

Disease Cause: -

Disease Diagnose: Your veterinarian will take a skin biopsy (asimple procedure, donewith local anesthetic) for examination by a veterinary pathologist.With this condition,the biopsy will show excessive mucin in the layers of the skin. Excessive mucinosis can also occur with hypothyroidism,a condition to whichthe Chinese shar pei is prone.

Treat Method: Dogs with breathing problems are treated withgradually taperingdoses of corticosteroids over several weeks, to reduce the amount ofmucin. Usually only 1course of treatment is needed. For the veterinarian: Treatmentshould beconsidered in dogs with oropharnygeal involvement, who mayexperience respiratory arrestunder general anesthesia. If repeated treatment is required,hypothyroidism should beruled out.

Breeder Advice: It is preferable not to breed affected dogs orclose relatives.

Disease Description Source: Link