by Yasmin | 8 Sep, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories, Volunteering
Written by Jackie Maynard.
Volunteer Area Co-ordinator.
Every so often a pug coming into the care of PDWRA packs a surprise; Shirley was one such. It was just a few days into the foster period when her foster mum Clare noticed that she was gaining weight rapidly, despite no increase in her diet. Having her suspicions, she contacted us and Shirley was packed off to the Vet for a scan. The Vet confirmed that Shirley was 6 to 7 weeks pregnant. Some hastily bought food for nursing mothers and all the necessary puppy paraphernalia were assembled ready for the big event, including a drawer to serve as a temporary whelping pen.
Clare resumed her normal routine, working from home, with a camera trained on Shirley’s bed so that any of the usual indications of imminent birth could be observed. Shirley however decided to move events along swiftly and whilst Clare was on a conference call, she was busy making a nest out of blankets. The conference call was abruptly abandoned when, with one eye trained on the camera, Clare could see a pup making a first appearance into the world. Clare kept me updated on unfolding events via WhatsApp as I was walking my pugs – every time my phone pinged it signified the arrival of another pup – 6 pings in all, in little over 2 hours.
Shirley was a wonderful mum, knew just what to do, with just a little help from Clare and in no time all pups were happily suckling. It’s a sad fact that not all in the litter survive and the Vet confirmed that two pups had cleft palates and a third was very weak and unlikely to survive. A fourth pup later suddenly failed to gain weight and stopped suckling: he peacefully passed away.
The two remaining pups continue to thrive however, and are rapidly gaining weight.
Clare had a family holiday booked so we knew, once the pups were 2 weeks old, we had to find a suitable foster mum to get them through the weaning stage and on to their forever homes. Our usual fosterers with experience of weaning pups were unavailable to help, but after a plea on PDWRA’s internal Facebook group with adopter and fosterer members, Amy stepped up and offered to help, offering to drive a considerable distance to collect Shirley and the pups. So now the pups are steadily gaining weight and strength and it won’t be long before they are ready to join their eagerly waiting adopters.
The signs of pregnancy are not always apparent, depending on the stage reached. Thanks to Clare’s astute observations on developing teats and weight gain around the abdomen, all necessary preparations for the birth were made in time, and she was happy to step into the role of midwife, a rewarding experience she will remember for a long time to come !
Shirley & her delightful puppies already have their adoptive homes eagerly waiting for them.
If you would like to help a pug or multiples! along their journeys by fostering, not necessarily with such unpredictable surprises, then please apply at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/fostering-a-pug/
by Yasmin | 25 Aug, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
Written by Margaret:
“We got our first pug, Lola, for my daughter in August 2014. I didn’t know much about the breed before we got her and decided to learn more so that I was better equipped to take care of her. It was then I found out about prevalent health conditions and the challenges they face due to the way they are bred. This led me to look at how many were surrendered, as I was sure it would be high due to the fact that they were such a “fashion accessory“ at that particular time. I wasn’t wrong!
Lola was lonely after my great Dane died in January 2015 and a short time later, I decided it would be a good time to think about getting her a friend. I first heard about the PDWRA after googling ‘Pug Rescue Organisations’ and decided to register to be considered to adopt.
I received the phone call with details about Winston in May 2015. I remember it clearly; I was on holiday in Lanzarote at the time. I was told he was a “special-needs Pug”. He had had two thirds of one of his lungs removed, he had a collapsed trachea and he passed out whenever he got excited. His tongue was too big for his mouth and he was prone to choking. Because of his ailments, he couldn’t be walked. He could only be let into the garden to “do his business” and he could sit and get some fresh air here. I didn’t know what to say… I told Emma, the regional coordinator at that time, that I would speak to my husband and get back to her. My husband thought Winston would be too much work because of his health conditions but I was sure I could manage him, my thoughts were that “if I didn’t take him who would?” I didn’t want him being left without a forever home.
The night Winston arrived, we were waiting at the front door expecting a poorly, frail pug to be lifted in to us. What a surprise we got! He bounded out of the car and came running to us. We thought they had brought us the wrong dog! The coordinator who had collected him from his previous owner thought the same. The rest is history…
He still has his challenges because of his health issues but I know how to manage them. I know how far he can walk, what to feed him, he has his cooling coat, his fan. We have a fan on for him 24hrs a day, 365 days a year. The car temperature has to be at 18 degrees or less. I need to keep him cool as if he overheats he pants, and this causes him distress because of his reduced lung capacity. We ignore him when we come back home, to stop him getting excited and passing out.
It’s happened once in all the years we have had him. I know his breathing patterns and as soon as I hear a change, he’s off to the vet for a check-up. I just know him so well and know if he’s not 100%.
Winston was born in Latvia. He’s such a loving dog, I call him my doggy soulmate as we have such a special bond. My husband adores him just as much as me. We were definitely meant to be together.
This is his fifth home and I just cannot fathom how anyone could ever have parted with him. I am sure his health issues had something to do with it because of the expense and time dedicated to administering his medication.
Winston is loved by all who meet him. He’s quite a character and loves his visit to the vet where he is quite the celebrity. He loves holidaying with us in our motorhome and loves nothing better than having a swim in the sea!
My nickname for him is “Winston the Wonderpug! “. He amazes me every day as despite his compromised health he is up for any challenge! It’s just as well I know his capacities!
We found the adoption process very easy. A telephone interview with Emma, a home visit to check that ourselves and our home were suitable to rehome this precious Cargo, and within a few days we were told our application to adopt Winston had been successful.
The main thing that I would relay to prospective adopters or foster parents is to make them aware of the common health issues that Pugs are susceptible to, and the monetary commitment that this brings.
It’s essential that you know the breed inside and out to make you aware of any change to their behaviour which might indicate something that needs investigating. That aside, if you are on your toes and know your pet well, the rewards that you will reap in return are amazing. They really are the best breed ever!
They have the most amazing personalities and the love and loyalty that they afford you, far outweighs the extra effort that is required to keep them healthy and safe.”
For other Rescue Stories, please see: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/category/rescue-stories/
or if you would like to Adopt a Pug in need, like the Wonderful Winston, please apply at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
by Yasmin | 18 Aug, 2024 | Blog, Rescue Stories, Volunteering
Dolly was surrendered to us recently. At 10 years-old, her loving owners felt she wasn’t getting the best out of life, living with demanding younger dogs and wanted to do the best for her.
We found Dolly a dedicated foster carer in Tracey, who described her initial adjustment period; “Dolly slept and had no interest in anything around her for the first week, but towards the end of the second week she became really cheeky and lively as a little bit of naughty puglet was coming through!”. Dolly liked her bed being placed by the front door. It seemed to be a comfort thing for her. She liked to sleep there at night but during the day was happy to lounge on the sofa!
Dolly was included in the local dog group morning walks where she was spoilt for attention and it wasn’t long before she was galloping around the garden and doing zoomies was becoming the norm!
Meanwhile, Dolly’s excited adopters were found on the other side of the country. They already had a pug called Luigi who was to be her companion.
The next step for the PDWRA team was to approach our transportation group plotting her journey on a day that everyone could make. Tracey’s family were going to take Dolly to the first meeting point. Volunteers came forward for the later sections of the route but it still left a gap. So, although not living near that section, Ian stepped forward to complete the chain. Additionally, that weekend, the M25 was closed for Ian to reach Tracey’s meeting point easily so he built in diversions & extra time for it, then everyone was set for a mammoth day.
It was a gloriously sunny day for Dolly, who proved to be such a great, chilled traveller, it couldn’t have gone better. It’s often amusing too when our transporters are trying to find each other especially at large service stations or if occasionally, someone’s at the wrong location. What would we do without WhatsApp, keeping everyone connected!?
Each stop enabled Dolly to stretch her legs and have a comfort break, so Tracey’s family said their goodbye’s, handing over Dolly and all her worldly possessions, to Ian.
Conscious of all the others waiting to set off at estimated times for each handover to happen, Ian was soon on his way to meet Jackie, one of PDWRA’s VACs, who then took Dolly on to meet volunteer Nicky, who finally united Dolly with Adam, her new Dad, all completed by the early evening.
Adam with precious cargo’ Dolly!
Adam updated the group after he got her home, “She’s soooo happy but also she’s absolutely tuckered out! I put her bed by the front door and she was straight in it. 🤣
Then Luigi lay down next to her so I had to put his bed next to hers. 🤣 She so owns the house already. Luigi is besotted with her. It’s so lovely to see how she has immediately settled and looks so at home. They are going to make a lovely couple 😂😂❤
After a week, Adam says “Dolly is absolutely amazing and so happy, she comes to the office every day. She now sleeps in the bed with us which she really loves, and everybody absolutely loves her. We couldn’t be happier with her!
From day 2 she was just staring up the stairs 😆 I put the mattress on the floor and put her bed in the bedroom. First night she was on and off the bed, and ever since she just plonks down next to me and sleeps all night. 🥰
The pair are awesome together. They don’t cuddle up or play, but they get along as if they’ve always lived together. Dolly had some teeth removed as was planned, but you’d never know, she’s so content and chilled. She’s bonded with me though, and settled in so well.”
We’re all so happy to see Dolly thriving and really enjoying life with her new family. Here they are a month later having a family day-out:
This is precisely why we do what we do for pugs like Dolly and with thanks to all the volunteers involved on her journey, which also included VAC’s, Lisa who managed Dolly’s surrender and care up to her adoption by Adam, managed by Jane with support from Carol carrying out the home check. Amazing teamwork!
If you would like to provide a forever home by adopting, please apply at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
If you could care for a pug in readiness for their adoption, please apply at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/fostering-a-pug/
If you would like to volunteer to transport in your area, or perform home-checks for our precious pugs, please apply at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/volunteering-for-pdwra/
by Yasmin | 15 Aug, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories, Volunteering
Written by Victoria.
I first heard about the PDWRA through looking online at Pug welfare groups after becoming obsessed with Pugs due to looking after my friend’s Pug, Pugsley, for her when she went on holidays.
My fiancé had always had retired police dogs when he was a child growing up in the Czech Republic, so he thought (foolishly) Pugs were silly little dogs for silly little ladies!(me)
He became a huge fan after meeting and caring for Pugsley. He now has all the usual Pug fan paraphernalia we all have, such as mugs, flasks, socks, t shirts, pyjamas, etc, etc….
I myself was an HM Customs and Excise (now called U.K. Border Force) drugs dog handler, trained by the RAF police and was also used to larger breeds, mostly gun dogs. I had a rescue mixed breed many years ago as a pet and also my retired German Shorthaired Pointer working dog came home and had a lovely long retirement before passing away of old age.
I had recently lost my Mum under tragic circumstances, and was caring, along with my fiancé and other professionals, for my Stepfather who was in the early stages of dementia/Alzheimer’s in his home. I’d been medically retired from the Border Force in my early 50’s due to developing Epilepsy and was feeling like my life wasn’t too great, to be honest. Seeing Pugsley used to cheer me up immensely and the affection he gave us was such a comfort.
I’d been a member of the charity for a while and saw on the newsletter that they were looking for fosterers. I had a chat with my fiancé and told him what I was thinking to do… he rarely disagrees with me!
I completed the forms and to my utter surprise I received a response very quickly, a home check was organised and after a whirlwind of activity to tidy the house a video chat and a check of the house was undertaken. The home checker said everything was fine and that we might hear in time about a foster.
In a matter of maybe a day or so I was at home when I received a call from Helen, the PDWRA Vet Advisor, who was about to go on holiday asking if I could take a Pug who needed immediate placement! I said yes, texted my fiancé and told him we would be getting a Pug that day!
The forms were sent hastily while Helen was en-route to Heathrow and off we set in the fog and rain to collect Ted from a car park 40 miles from where we live. He was in bad shape, very overweight, quite smelly and stressed, as you can imagine. I sat with him in the car and I just knew instantly he wasn’t going anywhere! I was keeping him!
He was grossly overweight, his pads were bleeding and his nails were curled over and digging into his pads. He couldn’t cock his legs or walk up and down our little staircase and he couldn’t walk far at all.
He was on a very strict diet that Helen and our local vet advised and he’s now a shadow of his former self, he’s lost 3 kilos and can run and walk like a pup! He loves the beach and even walked Sycamore Gap just before someone felled the tree!
He’s made a huge difference to my life, I’m more active myself, more confident to go out and walk him alone (my Epilepsy is well controlled now so I’m not scared to venture out just he and I) and he’s helped to heal our hearts.
He’s had 6 teeth out and handled it like a champ, he’s travelled to the Czech Republic via ferry and road, where he made “friends” with a little Ukrainian Pomeranian in true “doggy style” (he’s neutered obviously but it didn’t stop him from “acting out”) and his latest triumph is as a huge success at the care home my stepfather now resides at. He has a female fan club who sit in reception all day waiting to get a kiss from him and my fiancé takes him into the lounge in the dementia wing, where he has another huge fan club waiting to say hello to him also.
Some of the staff who work there were nervous at first because they are from countries that traditionally don’t have dogs as pets but he’s managed to win them over too! The only fly in the ointment is his “frenemy” also called Teddy who visits the care home daily too… they aren’t too keen on each other… I think it’s a territorial thing… To see the faces of the staff and particularly the residents light up when he arrives is priceless… one of his fans even sneaks treats into her handbag for him from breakfast, two day old sausage which often looks a bit “off”, so we take her some healthy treats to put in her handbag to give Ted.
I remember the day I got the call from Helen to ask, after a couple of weeks, if I would consider adopting Teddy, she even said “I think I know the answer before I ask” and she was right, as I say, I knew the moment I saw him he wasn’t going to anyone else! The process was so easy and just felt right. He was family from the moment we collected him.
Helen has been a Godsend, she’s certainly a force of nature! I think people should know that there will be support should you need it, from the Charity, and that Pugs are unique and can be challenging and stubborn.
TV is quite a tricky situation in our house, no programmes with animals, people in uniforms, people of different ethnicities, adverts with singing on, etc. can’t be viewed without a launch and growl at the TV at great speed, despite trying every kind of training aid and methods possible!
They are natures clowns, people pleasers and amazing pets that make life fun… our life can be sad and challenging at the moment but Teddy just makes it all better, easy to cope with. He charms everyone he meets, even managing to get to sit on the sofa in his Czech grandparents’ house… (lots of Czechs kennel their dogs outside but I don’t like it, my dogs live with me and sleep on my bed, which Teddy did on holiday in CZ!)
I’ve found that Pugs love exercise, can run really quickly when they are off lead and that really surprised me. Teddy is ten but he outruns lots of younger dogs, so they are not the lounge lizards people might think they are!
Teddy’s favourite place to be is the beach, and living in Northumberland we are blessed with beautiful ones. My best days are spent with him and my fiancé at the beach, seeing this once overweight, unfit little lad running in circles on the sand!
Victoria.
If you would like to adopt a pug into your life, like Victoria & many others, please apply at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
by Yasmin | 11 Aug, 2024 | Blog, News, Pug Health
Article by Helen McKee (MRCVS), PDWRA Vet Advisor:
Pugs can be prone to both these conditions (which are linked), and especially if they are overweight.
Interdigital cysts (also known as follicular cysts or furuncles) are inflamed bumps or nodules located between the toes (interdigital area). These painful cysts can rupture and leak clear or blood-tinged fluid. If the cyst becomes infected, it will leak cream-coloured fluid.
Many factors contribute to the development of interdigital cysts, making them frustrating to manage.
How do interdigital cysts develop?
Interdigital cysts develop as a reaction to inflamed hair follicles between the toes. The inflamed hair follicles rupture into the surrounding tissue, creating more inflammation and swollen “cysts” that can open (ulcerate) and drain. This process is irritating and itchy, causing the dog to lick or chew at the area, which further traumatises the hair follicles, continues the cycle of inflammation, and potentially introduces infection. If not treated quickly, cellulitis and scarring may occur.
What causes interdigital cysts?
Allergy-induced paw inflammation is the most common cause of interdigital cysts. Allergic dogs often have itchiness and recurrent skin infections in other areas, such as their ears. Allergy triggers can include pollen, mites, fleas, and dietary proteins.
Other factors that increase the risk of your dog developing interdigital cysts (especially between the outside two toes) are mechanical in origin. An abnormal amount of friction in the interdigital space can cause inflammation of the hair follicles. This is more likely to occur for obese dogs who put excessive pressure on their paws or pugs that have abnormal leg conformation which alters the weight distribution on their pads as discussed below (under False Pads).
What are the signs of interdigital cysts?
If your dog has interdigital cysts, you will see raised red bumps between your dog’s toes and your dog may be licking or chewing at their feet more than usual. Your dog’s paws may also be discoloured – especially if they have a secondary infection. You may even notice small blood spots on the floor if a cyst has ruptured. Dogs who are in pain may limp or be reluctant to walk.
How is the underlying cause of interdigital cysts diagnosed?
After a complete history and physical examination of your dog, your vet may recommend testing the skin for Demodex mites, bacteria, and yeast by performing skin scrapings, hair plucks, and/or tape preps of the area.
How are interdigital cysts treated?
Treatment is aimed at controlling the underlying cause, so it typically includes allergy treatments, and anti-inflammatory medications such as steroids (prednisolone) and cyclosporine (Atopica™). Other allergy medications, including (Apoquel™) (Cytopoint™), can help control your dog’s itching but aren’t considered to be effective enough to treat the degree of inflammation involved in interdigital cysts.
Secondary infections may require long courses of antibiotics, sometimes up to 8 weeks. Topical treatments like steroid ointments and antimicrobial paw soaks (chlorhexidine also known as Hibiclens) can be very useful to manage superficial inflammation and infection.
If arthritic changes and/or obesity have promoted cyst formation, these chronic conditions need to be managed more effectively with medications and nutritional therapy. Providing protective boots and controlling the surfaces your dog walks on (soft surfaces best like grass) can help manage the disease as well.
Many cases respond well if an underlying disease is found and treated appropriately. If an underlying disease is not (or cannot be) managed well, interdigital cysts can recur more frequently, causing chronic inflammation, scarring, and pain.
False pads can also result in ‘interdigital cysts’ and can be seen in dogs where abnormal conformation (shape of dog’s legs) results in altered weight bearing on hairy interdigital skin of the paw. Over time, and this can be years, because of the resulting chronic inflammatory changes, the foot tries to form new footpads at the sites; many dogs develop interdigital ‘cysts’ above these areas in the webbing of the pads.
It tends to form on the forelimbs more due to the greater weight bearing load. Because it is conformational, it can be very difficult to manage.
Strategies include weight loss, avoidance of rough terrain (most are better on grass for example), use of little boots out on walks, use of anti-inflammatories (steroids and Atopica can both help in some cases) and in the worst cases, surgery.
Surgery is a very last route to go, and only to be considered in extreme cases of false pads as it involves fusion of toes.
Photos of a case of false pads in a PDWRA rescue pug whom Malcolm and I fostered.
Bella was grossly overweight.
Helen McKee (MRCVS)
PDWRA Vet Advisor
For more useful articles about our pug’s health & wellbeing, please see: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/pug-health/
