Yes, I know.  Some Shar-Pei are laid back-couch potatoes who live to give smoochies to strangers.  These Labrador Retriever-type extroverts in plush wrinkled suits are not uncommon but it is the aloofness of the original traditional type dogs that is still the norm for the breed.
 
The CSPCA breed standard calls for a dog that is “Regal, alert, intelligent, dignified, lordly, scowling, sober and snobbish essentially independent and somewhat standoffish with strangers, but extreme in his devotion to his family.”  Aloof with strangers is not an abnormality, just a temperament trait.  A standoffish dog is okay with it and most are affectionate, loving and loyal within their own family.  There is no pathology in this.
 
However, anxiety is debilitating, uncomfortable and distressing for dog and owners.  Too many Shar-Pei suffer from anxiety.  And their families suffer along with them.

Shar-Pei suffering from anxiety are not calm.  They may whine, pace, or bark inappropriately.  They may not be comfortable being alone.  Separation from their owner may result in extreme anxiety.  They may become destructive or lose their housebreaking.

Anxious dogs may be frightened and insecure.  Some fearful dogs may show aggression with strangers (including their veterinarian).

Why is the breed prone to anxiety, particularly separation anxiety?  Their head is part of their body and their Shar-Pei brain may be prone to inflammation too.

Brain Inflammation may occur as a result of their predisposition to chronic autoinflammatory disease.  Systemic disease affects ALL systems and the brain may also be impacted.  Signs of brain inflammation include anxiety, depression, aggression, sleep disorders and seizures.

In extremely rare cases, I have seen this autoinflammation result in sterile granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME) that presented as a seizure disorder, mental dullness, and irritability.  Consultation with a neurologist is advisable with these severe signs to rule out other causes.  My cases improved dramatically with appropriate anti-inflammatory treatment.

I formulated HyVitality to help Shar-Pei offset their chronic autoinflammatory damage and a pleasant side benefit has been that numerous owners have reported that their dog has less anxiety and seems calmer and happier.  The overall formula is designed to help their body decrease pro-inflammatory mediators and restore depleted vitamins and minerals necessary for health.  I think it is helping them soothe their inflamed brains.

Does your Shar-Pei grind his or her teeth (bruxism)?  I regularly clean dogs ears as part of an office visit and it astounds me how many Shar-Pei loudly grind their teeth when getting an ear cleaning.  This is very rare in non-Shar-Pei.  Bruxism can be a sign of magnesium deficiency, a common problem in Shar-Pei.  Other problems associated with magnesium deficiency include allergies, respiratory disease and anxiety.  HyVitality’s formula includes magnesium.  Magnesium is important in stabilizing hyaluronan in its native undamaged state.

Feed your Shar-Pei extra fish oil, naturally high in EPA.  Many modern kibble diets have high omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratios that may worsen damage from Shar-Pei IL-1beta driven disease including in the brain.

Cai Song et al’s 2008 article Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Modulate Interleukin-1β–Induced Changes in Behavior, Monoaminergic Neurotransmitters, and Brain Inflammation in Rats in the Journal of Nutrition and  Effects of dietary n-3 or n-6 fatty acids on interleukin-1β-induced anxiety, stress, and inflammatory responses in rats in the Journal of Lipid Research in 2003 describe the ill effects of excess omega 6 fatty acids and how diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids can offset damage from IL-1beta.  IL-1beta is a chemical messenger responsible for inflammation and fever that is disordered in Shar-Pei.  The papers describe how mice treated with IL-1beta demonstrated increased stress, anxiety and aggression as a result of changes in the phospholipid content of neuronal membranes in their brains.  These changes could be attenuated by feeding EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid.

Source of these marine oils is extremely important, especially with high doses of these fragile long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.  To avoid rancidity and contamination with PCB, mercury, etc., I recommend using a product that is batch tested like OmegaRx.  I typically use 1/4 tsp. (or one capsule) for each 20 lbs body weight once daily.  This product supplies approximately 225 mg of EPA and 113 mg DHA/20lbs.  This is given along with the HyVitality capsules.

Amitriptyline is a prescription anti-anxiety, antidepressant drug that has been shown to have marked anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and is used in treating neuropathic pain.  I have found it to be useful in many Shar-Pei with anxiety and this may be a treatment to discuss with your veterinarian if nutritional support is insufficient and other anti-anxiety treatment has proved ineffective.

Most of us have heard about how the mind influences the body, the “mind-body connection”.  But this body-mind connection is cutting edge: here is a recent (Jan 2011) Abstract demonstrating how Inflammation modulates anxiety in an animal model of multiple sclerosis.  Amitriptyline treatment reversed those emotional responses in this mouse study.

Interestingly, amitriptyline has also been shown to reduce interstitial fibrosis and macrophage infiltration in damaged kidneys, two factors that are important in Shar-Pei renal disease.  Amitriptyline attenuates interstitial inflammation and ameliorates the progression of renal fibrosis. (Achar E, et al. 2009 Kidney Int.)

Hypothyroidism can also contribute to behavior changes and thyroid function should also be checked in dogs with anxiety and aggression (usually at most a contributor, not “the” cause but you want to remove all contributing factors).

Exercise helps too.  A lot.  A tired dog is a happy dog.

Happy Tails.  ~ Linda