Pug Throats Most Common Problem

There are many diseases associated with pugs because of their unique appearances. Some common health problems among pugs are pug dog encephalitis, respiratory diseases, and leg and bone defects. Some of these are genetically acquired at birth while others are obtained while growing up. For this article, focus will be given to the pug throats’ most common problem called elongated soft palate.

Pugs have a unique face shape that caused an elongation in the soft palate—the back of the throat that a pug can stretch longer than what is normal and makes air passage difficult. Because of the constriction in the throat where air passes, you will sometimes hear your pugs wheezing or producing some funny sounds while breathing. It also causes coughing and snoring which some people find disturbing.

As a pug owner, you should not let your pug exercise too much or they will have difficulty breathing which is a common problem with pug throats. You will find them gasping for breath. This is not good because it can cause acute problems with respiration and even heart attack which is fatal.

Also, pugs tend to play too much because it is in their nature. It is up to you to monitor their play time to make sure that they do not overexert themselves and that they will have enough time to rest and relax.

Fortunately, this common pug throats condition is treatable. You can ask for an animal surgeon to shorten the soft palate. This process will be very good for your pug since it will add more years to its life. It is also best to consult a vet before the condition gets worse.

Pug Puppy Adoption

Getting a new pug puppy can be a fun and exciting time.  However, you need to remember that your puppy is a living creature and the decision to adopt him must be made carefully. If you are thinking of a pug puppy adoption, you should first know the following facts and information.

•    Remember that pug puppies that are in the animal shelter waiting for some kind hearted pet lover to adopt them usually experienced abuse, maltreatment, and neglect. Owners who turned in their puppies to the animal shelters did not have time to properly train them. And it is up to you to be patient with them and to give them the love that they badly need.
•    In dealing with abandoned pug puppies, be gentle when communicating with them because these poor creatures are very sensitive and shy due to their past experiences. You have to let them know that they can trust you before they show their affection and loyalty.
•    When considering pug puppy adoption, be careful if you have kids. Children have a tendency to treat animals as toys, and abandoned puppies do not need this. They may react aggressively by biting or they may also run away. This will make it much harder for them to trust people.
•    If you are not prepared with all the responsibilities that a pet owner has in adopting a pug puppy, you should just buy a puppy from a reputable pug breeder. It must be heartbreaking and sad to see all those puppies in the animal shelter and you might even want to adopt them all. but consider first if you can do the responsibilities and effort that come with adopting an abandoned pug puppy.

Pug puppy adoption is a big responsibility.  You must be prepared to spend time and money on your new furry friend.  Be that as it may, a pug can add a lot of joy to your life so it is time and money well spent!

Setting Boundaries Won’t Fence You In

When it comes to our beloved pets, many folks don’t love to set too many boundaries.

 

Even the most stern of pet owners will typically admit that they like to occasionally pamper their pets, and naturally, a little spoiling is okay. However when not enough boundaries are set, many issues can arise. Firstly, the proven fact that a dog who is given "full run of the house" is sometimes a dog who causes aggravation and isn’t enjoyed as much as those that respect their limits. Whilst no-one is advocating that your dog should have to live a militant lifestyle or not be permitted to have fun, it’s not irrational to have certain expectancies for your pet. As an example, the begging at the table that customarily appears so lovable and leads to you giving your dog human food is bound to lose its charm when guests are attending. Not to mention the jumping you will overlook when your dog is pleased to see you arrive home from work, not quite as amusing when Aunt Sarah is coming in the doorway carrying a cake and wearing vacation clothes.

 

If your dog could use some work on jumping, begging, barking, taking, play biting, bolting out the doorway or any other behaviors, a little obedience coaching can go a ways toward sharpening up his manners. By teaching your pet some straightforward commands,eg "heel" ( walk at my side ), "sit," "down," "stay" and "come," you can then use the commands in daily life to coach new, good manners when you need them. The down / stay command is useful for working on things like begging, stealing and play biting, whilst the sit / stay is extremely beneficial in working on not jumping, bolting out the doorway or licking visitors. Naturally, there’s also the additional benefit of having your pet respect you more sometimes, so when you are saying "no," he’ll feel more like he needs to listen. If you teach your dog on your own or with aid from a pro, it’s so far easier to enjoy your pet when you have established boundaries for your dog companion. Who knows, by setting those boundaries you just might discover a new found freedom.

Pug Pregnancy Facts

The first thing you have to know about pug pregnancy is its symptoms. Pugs are usually energetic and playful, but if you observe that your pug is always sleeping or lying down, se may be pregnant. Also, a pug with a large stomach and nipples could mean she will be a mom soon. She also likes to clean herself more than usual.

Usually, mother pugs have to undergo a caesarean procedure, not normal delivery, because pugs have larger head than body, in which case normal birth is very risky. If you suspect that your pet pug is pregnant, bring her to the vet regularly to know if a caesarean procedure is really necessary or if the pups can come out in the normal way.

Just like humans, pug pregnancy can cause your pet to eat more than before. As a pet owner, you are the one responsible for providing nutritious dog foods for the mom and her puppies inside her tummy. You will also do the same thing after she gave birth to recover her strength.

If you are planning to have the delivery in your house, you should prepare a sanitized and quiet room where everything you need is within easy reach such as towels, thermometer, thread, heating pad, dropper, and suction bulb. Read about the steps that you should do in helping the mother pug give birth.

A pug pregnancy last for only 9 weeks before delivery and a pug litter usually consists of 3 or 4 pug puppies.

Pug Myths Busted

There are many pug myths that you hear over and over again and which migh scare you away from this wonderful breed.  Rest assured, these dogs make great pets – you can’t believe everything you hear about them!

Most families want a pug as a pet because it is cute and small which makes it very nice to take care of. However, because of its small size, it has special needs that you do not normally do with big dogs. Moreover, pugs are every popular among pet owners that is why many people know so many pug myths—some of them could be true but others are very far fetched. Here are some popular pug myths that are far from reality.

•    Pugs will not grow in size and will remain in their original size until they die. This is not true. Like most dogs, pugs also grow. Maybe not as obvious as other canines but they do not stay in the same size forever.
•    Pugs are young Boxers and French Bulldogs. Pugs may look like these breeds of canines but they are not these dogs’ puppies. They have facial and body similarities but that is where the similarities end.
•    Pugs love barking. Again, this one is a myth. Pugs only bark when they have to. Unlike small dogs that love to bark, pugs are relatively quiet. They will only bark when threatened and provoked.
•    Pugs should not play too many games because they are delicate. For most small dogs, this might be true. But for pugs, it is a different story. Pugs love to play games and have fun with their owners and other pugs.
•    Pugs are always sad. They may look sad because of those wrinkles around their eyes but that is just how they naturally look. Pugs are actually clowns. They love to please people around them that is why many pug owners go crazy over them.

Pug myths are just that – myths.  So go ahead and adopt a pug – you’ll be glad you did!

Some Serious Pug Health Problems

Pugs have health problems that are unique to the breed and are usually hereditary. As a pug owner, you should be armed with proper knowledge and information regarding these pug health problems so that you can easily take action. Here is a list of some of the most common pug health problems.

•    Pug Dog Encephalitis. This is a usually terminal brain disease that affects both male and female pugs. Symptoms of this brain inflammatory are seizures, blindness, irregular gait, staring blankly, depression, and screaming, among others. Dogs that are younger than one year and older than five years are the ones usually affected by this disease.
•    Patellar Luxation. Patellar or more commonly known as kneecap is the part of the body that is affected by this defect. The kneecap in this condition tends to slip in and out of the tendon. Extreme kneecap luxation can cause bow-legged puppies. Surgery can correct this condition.
•    Dry Eye Syndrome. Technically called Keratoconjunctivitis or KCS, this condition can cause blindness. It is called as such because the dog’s eyes do not produce the normal amount of tears. Dogs with red and swollen eyes with some mucous discharge are some symptoms of this illness. Treatments for dry eye syndrome are surgery and some forms of medications.
•    Tracheal Collapse. This condition is caused by a narrow trachea or more commonly known as windpipe. This is a kind of respiratory illness and the symptoms are ragged breathing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Dogs should not be exposed to something which can cause discomfort to their lungs such as smoking or extreme temperatures.

These are some of the more serious pug health problems that your dog may get.  Don’t let that scare you away from adopting a pug, though as most will never have any of these problems!

Pug Dog Encephalitis

Does your pet pug have seizures, depression, and blindness? Do you observe an irregular walk, blank stare, screaming, and strange behaviours such as pressing the head against something? If you answer to these questions are both “yes”, you should bring your pug to the vet. He might be suffering from pug dog encephalitis or PDE.

Pug dog encephalitis is a condition or illness of the brain which usually affects pugs of both genders. Before, this disease was believed to be observed only among pugs, not with other dogs. But recently, some cases and research show that other toy dogs such as Maltese, Terrier, and Pekingese can also suffer from the same brain damage.

If a pug dog has this disease, it can cause complications or other diseases such as rabies, Rocky Mountain fever, toxoplasmosis, and many other diseases. Dogs who are within the age range of 1 to 5 years are the ones that are usually affected by this disease. So if your dog’s age is within that age range and it is suffering from the above mentioned symptoms, you should immediately bring your pet to the nearest vet to have a thorough check up.

Diagnosis of this illness is very difficult because symptoms are very similar to other diseases of the central nervous system. Some can be diagnosed using MRI or magnetic resonance imaging or observing the white blood cells. But usually, it is too late when a correct diagnosis is made, making it a terminal disease.

There is no known cure for pug dog encephalitis, although temporary treatments to lessen seizures and decrease inflammation are available.

Pug Difficulty Breathing Problems

If you notice pug difficulty breathing in your pug, then read on…..

Pugs are known for their wrinkled face and large, bulging eyes. Aside from these, they are also known for their snoring and loud breathing. This is normal, especially when the weather is very hot. You have to keep pugs in a cool room with air conditioner. Sometimes, even if the air conditioner in the room is already turned on, they still need additional cool air. You can put a small box fan which you can put on the floor so that when pugs need to cool themselves, they will just go near the fan and sit there.

However, there are cases when the snoring or breathing that you hear is not normal, especially if it sounds like your pug is wheezing. This is one very common pug difficulty—breathing problem.

If your pug is wheezing, it could mean that he is suffering from a respiratory problem such as collapsed trachea or elongated palate.

Collapsed trachea is acquired at birth. The pug must undergo surgery and should be kept under close watch. Always keep them on a diet because it is best for pugs with collapsed trachea to be lean.

Elongated palate is another birth illness. Do not make your pug too excited or tired because they might hyperventilate from trying to inhale too much oxygen. This problem can be resolved by surgery. You have to be careful and observant because this defect can cause death to your pug if undetected and left unattended.

Some symptoms of respiratory problems when your pug has difficulty breathing are coughing, lethargy, and teary eyes. Raspy breathing and snoring while sleeping is common but if it already sounds abnormal, then it is best to go see a vet to check it.

 

Pug Health Problems that are Common

Pugs are so cute especially as puppies. It is the eyes and the little flat snouts that make them look so cute. Pug health problems that are more common will be listed. They do have some health problems that are attributed to Pugs as a breed, but also can be found in other breeds. One way to protect yourself is to buy from a reputable Pug breeder, who will have a family history on your pet. This does not mean that your pet will not become ill, but it will lessen the chance.

Pug Dog Encephalitis is an inflammatory brain disease that affects Pugs of both sexes. The disease was considered to affect just Pugs; however, a similar disease has been seen recently in Maltese, Pekingese and Yorkshire terrier breeds. If you have a Pug that is under one year or over 5 years that starts having seizures you should take your pet to the vet to have it checked out for this disease.

Hip Dysplasia is found mostly in bigger breed dogs, but it has also been found in Pugs. This is a debilitating disease to an animal. This is a painful disease, and you will start to see the effects of it when your Pug is still a puppy. There is no cure for this, and it does leave the dog disabled from being able to walk.

Tracheal Collapse is another one of the pug health problems to look out for.  It is caused by a narrowing of the windpipe due to a loss in rigidity of the cartlidge in some small breed dogs, like Toy Poodles, Yorkies, Miniature Pincher, Maltese, Chihuahuas and other small dog breeds. Symptoms include a cough, especially after exercise, noisy breathing and gagging, and a goose honk which is so named due to the sound.

This requires treatment for the life of your pet in most cases as it is progressive. It can be acquired or hereditary. Cushing’ disease can also cause it. There are medical treatments, which are cough suppressants, antibiotics, steroids, weight loss, and keeping your pet away from irritants. In severe cases surgery is needed to place a stent to hold the trachea open.

Other pug health problems that you may see are Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease which is a bone disease that small breed puppies, who weigh less than 24 pounds, can get. Intervertebral disk disease is common and can leave your pet in severe pain, loss of coordination and paralysis. It is most common in breeds of dogs called chondrodystrophoid breeds, like a Pekingese, Pug, Basset Hound, American Cocker spaniel, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Welsh Corgi; this is a serious health problem. These are just a few of the more common diseases that your Pug may be more subject to, but your pup may be just as subject to be healthy.

Pug Training For Puppies

If this is your first Pug puppy, you are in for quite a treat. They are great dogs, but they need a lot of training, especially early on in their new lives in your home. It is not so much about what you have to train them to do in the early days as it is in what you have to train them not to do. You are probably reading and purchasing every book you can find on pug training right now that you can get your hands on; just make sure you read this article along with all those other books so you get your pug started out on the right track.

Like a child, the early days of a Pug’s life are where they do the bulk of their learning. However, you don’t have years to do this. In fact, you really don’t even have a year, you have only the first few months to get your Pug pointed on the straight and narrow. Any bad habits you allow them to develop in the first few months will be carried to their adult life. If your dog acts up as an adult in a manner that you allowed when they were a puppy, you will only have yourself to blame.

Proper pug training is critical because any behavior that you allow during this formidable time is behavior that they will do each and every day for the rest of their lives because they think it is okay to act that way. If you allow your cute new little Pug puppy to jump up on the sofa, he will think it is okay. All of a sudden as he gets older, he continues this behavior, you don’t find it so cute because he is too big to be on your couch. Too late, no matter how much you discipline him now, it is in his head that it is okay to act this way.

You see, puppies are like children and when they act mischievous, we tend to laugh and think they are cute and let them get away with it. As they get older, this behavior is not funny anymore and we want them to stop. Just like a spoiled child, getting them to do so is almost impossible.

The one thing that you have to keep in mind every time your new Pug does something that you think is cute when they are a puppy, you have to ask yourself the question if you are prepared to deal with that behavior for the lifespan of the animal. You allow it not, you better allow it later or you will have a spiteful Pug on your hands!

When you bring your new Pug puppy home, make sure you develop the behavior that you want to see as an adult dog when they are a puppy. Remember, they are animals and they need to be trained. They are only following your lead and anything that they learn at this young age will be burned into their brains forever as acceptable. You are not going to get to retrain them, so make sure you provide adequate pug training the first time around and you will have a great disciplined pet for many years to come.

« Previous Page — Next Page »