Shar-Pei fever : It's all in the family
A 7-year-old castrated male Chinese Shar-Pei, was presented to Cornell University Hospital for Animals’ Emergency Service for evaluation of a three-day history of anorexia and lethargy and a two-day history of intermittent fever and abdominal pain. On physical examination, the patient had an increased heart rate and respiratory rate, was 5-7% dehydrated, had generalized skin disease, a swollen muzzle and mildly edematous tarsal joints. Bloodwork and urinalysis showed no significant abnormalities, apart from an elevated fibrinogen level, elevated alkaline phosphatase and hypoalbuminemia. Diagnostic imaging revealed no significant findings and ultrasound-guided biopsies of the liver were non-diagnostic. The patient’s clinical signs, signalment and test results were consistent with Familial Shar-Pei Fever (FSF). Treatment with colchicine was discussed with the owner and was postponed pending repeat biopsies of the liver. This case report discusses the etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of Shar-Pei Fever.