by Yasmin | 13 Aug, 2023 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories, Volunteering, Fundraising
A Celebratory Day for Quinn, made special by our PDWRA Volunteers who helped Quinn through all his hurdles and milestones, who would likely never had seen this day!
In the happiest of photos from the day, holding Quinn at the back, is PDWRA VAC Jacqui, with volunteer Wendy holding Nugget, Quinn’s companion and another PDWRA pug. Quinn’s devoted Mum Kellie, is at the front with Ralf, not a PDWRA pug, but happily joining in the festivities!
Kellie is forever grateful to his angel PDWRA vet nurse, Helen, campaigning & fundraising volunteers as well his amazing local vet team and volunteers, who never gave up on the mighty Quinn.
Quinn will still need ongoing monitoring and tests along with medication which remains costly, in addition to those for all the other pugs in our care. Only recently Quinn had some lumps removed, more unexpected surgery, and fingers-crossed they don’t return.
This is why we continue to ask for donations, however small, to contribute towards his vet costs.
Donating to Pug Dog Welfare | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
Thank you!
The Mighty Quinn! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 9 Aug, 2023 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
Tully was surrendered to the care of the PDWRA with another pug from an ex-breeder. She had thankfully been rescued by him at the beginning of the year from an abusive owner. Unfortunately after a little while, fighting was developing in the pack at Tully’s new home so we were called with the request to rehome her.
Tully, is such a beautiful, intelligent, innocent young girl, and was placed in one of our foster homes with 2 elderly PDWRA pugs who would be less reactive. Tully was neutered in the meantime.
Still under 2 years of age, naturally energetic and loving, Tully showed absolutely no signs of aggression there.
Tully’s fosterer thoroughly enjoyed her company as she settled very quickly into their routine and with the two senior pugs. She seemed to know not to bother them, has pretty good manners and with some extra training would be a perfect little pug. She knew the word “sit” but that was about it.
Meanwhile, a previous PDWRA adoptive couple in another region of the UK had not long lost their beloved pug, Gertie, to cancer. They were bereft as Gertie was such a fundamental part of their lives, giving her Mum a new lease of life following some poor health.
Also, having set up a local pug-meet group in their area, Gertie was well-known to the whole pug community there.
We weren’t sure whether they were ready to consider another pug so soon after losing Gertie, but they were asked as it might have helped with their grief, and they said yes, feeling that Gertie had sent her to them, while they still had so much love to give.
Tully was in the right place at the right time for Gertie’s parents. It was like fate. She is a perfect match for them and they are delighted. Tully too, is in her perfect home, one that her original, kind-hearted rescuer couldn’t offer himself!
Gertie will never be forgotten. They plan to hold a fundraising walk, in her memory to benefit other PDWRA pugs.
PDWRA is solely funded by public donations. We are extremely grateful for any form of fundraising towards pugs in need, in our care.
Fundraising & Events 2023 | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 8 Aug, 2023 | Blog, Pug Health, Volunteering, In Memoriam
In Memoriam – Violet – 6/11/2011 – 31/7/2023
Although not a PDWRA rescue, Violet was a friend to the charity, helping out with many fundraising activities and appearing several times in the PDWRA newsletters, most recently in the ‘sniffing’ feature in the April ’23 edition: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/sniffing-on-walks/
Violet first came into our lives in 2012, at around 16 weeks old. Her owners were responsible breeders who had initially decided to keep her, after a while though they realised that they had too many dogs to give all of them the attention they needed and decided to find a loving home for her. Fortunately, through a mutual friend, she ended up with her new mum, Joana.
It was clear from the start that Violet was a special pug and everyone who met her instantly fell in love with her. She was well-travelled from a young age, making many trips to Europe and she loved every minute of her adventures, walking in the mountains, running on the beaches and meeting new people.
When she was two, she was joined by her new sister Lilly, and they quickly became a loving and bonded pair of troublemakers.
Three years ago in 2020, Violet was diagnosed with the spinal issue Malcolm McKee discusses in his Pug Health feature: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/spinal-conditions-in-pugs/
With regular hydrotherapy and acupuncture, she was able to maintain a fairly normal life, until sadly succumbing to associated health issues at the end of July ‘23.
Violet was a truly beautiful soul who was full of life and is the reason her parents became involved with helping the PDWRA. She will always be remembered with fondness, gratitude and love for the immense joy she brought into our lives and will forever be greatly missed by her Mum Joana and Dad Robin.
******
To pay tribute to your sadly lost and beloved PDWRA pug on our dedicated In Memoriam web page,
at: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/category/in-memoriam/
please email your story, or whatever you would like to say about them, with photos,
to: yasmin.t.pdwra@nullgmail.com
by Yasmin | 7 Aug, 2023 | Blog, News, Pug Health
Article by Dr W Malcolm McKee
PDWRA Vet Advisor
Spinal conditions in Pugs.
Conditions affecting the spine are not uncommon in Pugs, unfortunately. This is because Pugs have been bred to have flat faces (brachycephalic) and linked with this is abnormal development of their spines and early degeneration of their discs.
The first sign that your Pug may have a spinal condition could be pain (such as reluctance to jump or yelping), however, more commonly weakness (referred to paresis) or wobbliness (referred to as ataxia) of the legs is noticed. Weakness may present as scuffing of the nails and wobbliness as loss of coordination of the legs. Problems affecting the neck will cause the front and back legs to be affected and conditions affecting the thoracic and lumbar (back) areas will cause just the back legs to be weak or wobbly. Severe cases may be urinary or faecally incontinent and affected Pugs may loss the ability to walk. Signs generally come on gradually and may progress slowly over many months or even years.
A good neurological examination by your vet should enable the location and severity of the spinal condition to be determined.
The most common spinal conditions in Pugs include hemivertebrae (HV), “slipped” disc, arachnoid cyst, syringomyelia, or a combination of these conditions (Pug myelopathy). Fractures, inflammatory problems and tumours are less common.
Hemivertebrae is due to abnormal development of the vertebrae (the bones of the spine). The deformed vertebrae cause compression of the delicate spinal cord and is often severe by the time the condition is diagnosed. The discs, which are positioned between the vertebrae, often degenerate in Pugs early in life, and become hard instead of jelly-like. They are then prone to bulging (“slipping”) and compressing the spinal cord. An arachnid cyst is a build up of fluid on the outside of the spinal cord and syringomyelia is a build up of fluid inside the spinal cord. Both of these conditions may cause compress the spinal cord.
Radiographs (X-rays) may be obtained to help diagnose the spinal problem, however, they are of very limited value as the spinal cord is not visible and thus it is not possible to assess if it is compressed.
An MRI scan is the best way to investigate a Pug with a suspected spinal condition and generally the scan will reveal the cause of the weakness/wobbliness or pain. Occasionally it is necessary to perform other tests, such as analysing a sample of the fluid around the spinal cord (known as CSF).
Once a diagnosis is reached treatment options can be considered – conservative management and surgery being the two possibilities. Unfortunately, the majority of spinal conditions that Pugs develop are very challenging to treat by surgery. This is partly due to the complexity of the underlying problem, such as vertebral deformity, but also because of the chronicity (duration), severity, and irreversible nature of the spinal cord injury. Indeed it is not uncommon for Pugs to be worse, at least temporarily, after spinal surgery.
With the outlook following surgery not being good it raises the question of the value of performing an MRI scan in these cases, especially when there are financial restrictions – MRI scans and complex spinal surgery are expensive and the majority of Pugs do not benefit from one or both being performed.
Conservative management of Pugs with weak/wobbly legs involves (1) ensuring they aren’t overweight (put him/her on a strict diet if necessary) (2) restricting exercise (small amounts often with avoidance of jumping and climbing) (3) exercising on the likes of soft grass rather than roads (4) protecting the nails of the paws with boots to stop them dragging and bleeding (5) supporting the back legs with a belly band.
Some Pugs that progress to the point of being unable to walk on their back legs may benefit from a cart with wheels – candidates need to be considered carefully, as these carts aren’t for every Pug. Often these dogs are also incontinent and urinary incontinence, in particular, can be difficult to manage, especially in male dogs. Quality of life needs to be carefully monitored and euthanasia considered where appropriate – under veterinary guidance.
Malcolm with his grumble, before the loss of Lily (February ’23) and Missy (May ’23).
Dr W Malcolm McKee BVMS DSAO MRCVS
PDWRA Vet Advisor
by Yasmin | 6 Aug, 2023 | Blog, Pug Health
Pangpang’s Top Five Healthy Treats.
Pangpang, the UK’s best known pug, with over 500,000 followers, takes some time out to talk to us about his top five healthy pug treats…
“Like most pugs, I have the appetite of breeds twice my size! And to keep me in good shape and protect my long-term health, my pawrents prefer to give me dog-friendly fruit and vegetables rather than processed treats. So, I wanted to tell you about some of my favourite post-zoomies healthy snacks that you can try with your pug!
- Blueberries
I’ve loved blueberries since the first time I tried them. You may have seen me on my socials running around the house and garden to get all the blueberries. I also like to chase them when Baba throws them so they serve as a delicious toy!
- Strawberries
A summer favourite, these help to keep me cool on hot days plus they’re good for me too! Baba chops them up for me as they can be a little big for a pug but definitely one I think your doggo would enjoy too!
- Banana
The only treat that makes me spin with excitement, banana has long been one of my favourite treats. Sometimes, I even have a smoothie made from banana and a couple of spoons of plain natural yoghurt.
Please note, ensure you avoid artificial flavours and sweeteners if trying this recipe at home, particularly xylitol which is dangerous for dogs.
- Cucumber
This one definitely divides the doggos, but I personally love cucumber! I’ve always been given it as a healthy treat and the best thing is that I can have it every day without gaining weight! It’s really important for pugs (and all dogs for that matter) to stay in their healthy weight range.
- Melon
This is a fairly new healthy treat for me but boy does it taste yummy! Baba is careful to remove all the seeds and cuts off the shell and bits I can’t eat, which can be a choking hazard. Then, I’m good to go! Definitely recommend having a try of watermelon and canteloupe.”
We’d like to give a huge thanks to Pangpang’s Dad Dan, for asking Pangpang to share his thoughts with us and if you’d like to keep up to date with Pangpang’s adventures, check out his links below to find out more –
https://pangpangthepug.co.uk
https://youtube.com/c/pangpangthepug
https://instagram.com/pangpangthepug
https://tiktok.com/@pangpangthepug
https://facebook.com/itspangpangthepug
https://twitter.com/pangpangpug
