by Yasmin | 20 Oct, 2022 | Blog, News, Pug Health
Hello everyone!
My name is Helen McKee. My husband Malcolm, and I are retired vets and we have been voluntary Veterinary Advisors for the Charity since 2018.
We set up our own Referral practice over our careers; Malcolm was previously a specialist orthopaedic surgeon and neurologist, whereas my background is both primary small animal, and latterly, Governmental work in Animal Health and Welfare.
We carry out the role of Veterinary Advisors for the PDWRA as we are both passionate about the health and welfare of pugs, who, through man’s making, have made pugs very prone to a large number of health issues.
In each of our newsletters we will discuss a particular health problem associated with pugs. Here, I am going to discuss the rather sensitive topic of a pug’s weight.
When a pug is overweight, it becomes a health issue in itself. It also exacerbates health issues that pugs are prone to including breathing, spine and leg problems. Obesity in dogs is also now classed as a welfare issue by DEFRA under their welfare legislation.
It is very easy to overfeed a pug; with their soulful eyes and appetite like a Labrador, they can trick you in to feeding them more than they need. Pugs are only little dogs and actually only need a small amount of food. Recommendations on the back of dog food are a guide only and pugs often need less than recommended. Basically, if your dog is putting on weight then it is eating too much, and the amount of food needs to be reduced.
I have attached a link to an article on our website ‘Fit not Fat’ which shows the ideal weight of a pug through how it looks; it’s not about weight as such, but a Body Condition Score (BCS) which should ideally be around 5/9. As you can see by the illustrations, 5/9 is nice and slim.
FIT not FAT! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
This chart is issued by the University of Cambridge (2017 Copyright) and shows us how our pugs should look.
If your pug is kept slim, it will be so much healthier and happier!
Helen McKee (MRCVS)
by Yasmin | 19 Oct, 2022 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
The Latest News on Quinn! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
We’ve kept you updated about young Quinn, gently improving with dedicated care after his terrible start in life. Quinn’s progress, aided by your generous support! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
Since then, Quinn has experienced a lot of ‘firsts’. These include simple things like playing with toys and chewing them, going out on his own into the open space of gardens and sitting with his fosterer, Kellie’s pugs, from preferring his own company. He’s even found a slight bark!
Quinn has also moved away from hourly medication and his hormones kicked in following receipt of proper nutrition, which was a massive achievement for his little body, so he’s well enough to be neutered and have the X-rays he needs to assess his spine as he’s believed to have been kept in cramped conditions, such that he wasn’t very aware of his legs or what his body could do! 😩
For a full update on his progress and potential future needs, with latest photos, why not subscribe to our new digital newsletters? Just send an email to: subscribe@nullpdwra.org.uk
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Donating to Pug Dog Welfare | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 9 Oct, 2022 | Blog, Rescue Stories
Peggy came to the PDWRA earlier this year and needed emergency surgery to remove her right eye, which was ruptured due to trauma. She was only eight weeks old!
Thanks to the PDWRA network, she was operated on within two days and recuperating with a foster family by the end of the week.
She weighed 1.1kg and needed to wear a cone so she could not scratch or infect the wound as it healed.
A few days later, she was at the house that would become her forever home, joining two PDWRA adopted pugs, and her Frenchie-pug sister.
Peggy’s recovery from her operation was smooth, and she now enjoys regular walks with her pack and weighs almost 4kg.
“Peggy is a lovely, sweet-natured if mischievous little girl who massively looks up to the older dogs.” said PDWRA volunteer, Tris, Peggy’s ‘dad.’
“She had a really traumatic week early on in her life but the network of volunteers in the PDWRA is so strong that it wasn’t going to be long before her perfect home was found. Fortunately, that’s here with us. She’s a special girl and we adore her!”.
by Yasmin | 5 Oct, 2022 | Blog, Rescue Stories
Dear Delilah delivered her gorgeous chug puppies safely once in our care.
Drawing on our national network of volunteer co-ordinators, transporters, fosterers and adopters, here they are now!
They were in the very best hands throughout, each bringing the greatest joy to their new, lucky PDWRA families.
or
If you would like to adopt, please go to:
or foster:
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If you would like to volunteer for PDWRA, please go to:
by Yasmin | 25 Sep, 2022 | Blog, Rescue Stories
Millie and Tia were adopted by Sue days before her own Mum unexpectedly passed away. She believes ‘they’ rescued her as much as the other way around. Sue also wanted to share the hugely positive experience of adopting a blind pug.
Sue says:
” I just wanted to share our love for Tia, our beautiful rescue pug who is blind and has so many uncomfortable medical issues including skin irritation. Such an optimistic, positive, happy little pug who loves nothing more than to snuggle.
Unlike sighted pugs she doesn’t look at us which is so sad and often heads in completely the wrong direction – she is also facing life without Millie her fellow rescue who sadly passed earlier in the summer. We all miss Millie so much but for Tia she was her eyes and confidence … however little T as we call her, soldiers on and we hold her ever closer.
Blindness is often avoidable which makes it all the more sad but adopting a blind pug for us has been a joyous experience and this beautiful little character has shown us so many positive lessons in life that the honour to have her is all OURS!.”
Please see their original story at: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/millie-tia-having-the-best-retirement/
Millie & Tia having the best retirement! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
