Preparing for potential Hazards, for a Safe & Happy Christmas!

by Yasmin | 17 Dec, 2023 | Blog, News, Pug Health

It’s that time of year again where there are plenty of potential hazards to our furry friends, particularly our foods and treats that are being brought into the home.

As well as the festive greenery that may make your dog very ill, tempting foods which we may think are a treat for them can actually cause a great deal of harm.

Vets will treat 75% more cases of dogs eating foods that are poisonous to them in December, so it’s important to be aware of what to avoid and ensure others know about them too:

FOOD

– Chocolate, boxes lying around, tempting foil coins on the tree.

– Christmas cake, mince pies and Christmas pudding.

– Foods containing grapes, raisins, sultanas & currants.

– Traditional turkey, goose & chicken where cooked bones can easily splinter.

– Sage and onion stuffing, gravy, anything with onion, chives, garlic, celery.

– Do check for hidden seasoning ingredients in sausages, a particular Christmas treat from a roast dinner.

– Other foods, such as certain nuts, blue cheese, fatty and salty processed foods.

– Xylitol sometimes marketed as birch sugar, used in artificial sweeteners and sweeteners of products such as peanut butter, is toxic to dogs.

– Alcohol.

OTHER

– Particular festive greenery and plants may make your dog very For a comprehensive list that are dangerous to dogs, see this poisons in your garden article.

– Oils from pine needles may be irritating to the mouth and stomach, causing excessive dribbling, vomiting and diarrhoea if chewed. Needles are also sharp so could cause physical injury in your dog’s mouth and throat.

– Potpourri is made up of various dried plants and flowers to create fragrant decorations. Depending on their toxicity they may cause, at the very least, vomiting and diarrhoea.

– Take care when using antifreeze (ethylene glycol). It tastes sweet so is tempting for dogs but can be lethal if ingested.

– Watch for dogs drinking out of puddles too as they may be tainted with antifreeze chemicals.

– Some snow globes contain anti-freeze and if broken, are a serious danger to your dogs.

– Salted roads & paths can also burn their paw pads.

Frostbite:

Ice and snow can build up in the fur between their pads which is not only uncomfortable but increases the risk of frostbite. If your dog raises its paws, stops walking or whines it could be a sign that their paws are too cold.

When cold, a dog’s body limits blood flow to their extremities (paws, tail, ears etc.) diverting to keep their vital organs protected. This puts their extremities at risk of being damaged by the cold. If you’re concerned about them having frostbite contact your vet immediately.

So, on very cold, icy or snowy days, try to keep the time they spend outside to a minimum, and consider using a coat or paw protectors to keep them warm.

If you do buy a coat make sure it fits well so that it doesn’t restrict their normal movement, either through being too tight or too loose. If you’re outside in the cold and your pet starts shivering, or appears very tired, then get them home as soon as possible. If they are very unwell, get worse or continue to be unwell, contact your vet immediately.

However, some smaller or short coated dogs feel cold in the winter nip, so it may be a good idea to buy a well-fitting coat that will help keep them warm and dry on walks.

The dark mornings and evenings mean that you’ll most likely be taking your dog out for a walk when it is dark or gloomy, and you should think about how visible your dog is to other people when out walking in low light. Reflective collars and jackets are a good idea, and there are even some bright LED collars and tags available to help make your dog easier to see by other walkers and road users.

Christmas can be stressful for pets. The change in routine, visitors, children, loud music and decorations can all confuse or over-excite them. Planning ahead can help minimise stress for pets and ensure they have a happy Christmas, too.

A few things to consider include:

• Sticking to their routine as much as possible – their meals, exercise, bed and toilet break routines. Consistency helps them feel more secure plus they expect it!.
• Introduce new people carefully, at your dog’s own pace.
• Give them somewhere cosy and quiet to retreat to, away from all the excitement, leaving toys or familiar items to help keep them comforted.
• Don’t leave them alone too long – it’s easy to become distracted at such a busy time.

Likewise, if you’re spending Christmas away with your dog/s take something that smells familiar, like their bed, or favourite toys and chews to help keep them entertained and feel secure. Also, plan for them if they’re not going with you.

• Keep the number of an emergency vet on hand in case of accidents or if your pet eats something they shouldn’t.
• If your pet is on medication, stock up before the holidays so you don’t get caught out.

Most of all, have a very safe, comfortable and very Happy Christmas for All the family! 

For a lot more information about pug health please see:
Seasonal Hazards for Pugs | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
&
Pug Health & Wellbeing | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)

Protein Losing Enteropathy (PLE).

by Yasmin | 12 Dec, 2023 | Blog, News, Pug Health

Article by Helen McKee (MRCVS)
PDWRA Vet Advisor.

This month I have decided to write about the condition of Protein Losing Enteropathy (PLE), as there have been a number of PDWRA pugs with the condition that has not been diagnosed by their veterinary surgeon.

Unfortunately, like so many other diseases, PLE is over-represented in pugs; I have seen more cases in the last 5 years working (voluntarily) for the Charity, than I ever saw when in practice.

PLE is an umbrella term for a group of diseases that damage the gut to such an extent that it not only has difficulty absorbing nutrients but also leaks protein out of the body.

It is caused by a number of conditions, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which is similar to Crohn’s Disease in people, Lymphoma, a tumour that infiltrates the gut, and Lyphangectasia, a swelling of the lymph vessels, which is often secondary to the first two diseases.

The disease I’ve most commonly seen in pugs that causes PLE is IBD, but I have also seen cases of lymphoma. However, both are treated the same way, so a definitive diagnosis is not necessarily needed. More on this later.

There are a few reasons a dog may develop IBD/PLE, including a food sensitivity and most commonly, overactive immune response (‘immune-mediated’).

The most common clinical signs associated with protein-losing enteropathy are primary gastrointestinal signs, like vomiting and diarrhoea. Chronic cases often result in excessive weight loss, dehydration and generalised weakness.

A chronic inflammatory response of the mucosal lining of the intestines leads to progressive damage, severe protein leakage, and improper nutrient absorption in dogs.

If your pug has had chronic (over 4 weeks) diarrhoea, that has not responded to normal protocols,  your vet may culture the faeces and look for bugs such as Giardia and Salmonella. Giardia and overgrowth of gut bacteria are treated with a drug called Metronidazole (Metrobactin). Your vet may also prescribe a pro-biotic such as Pro-Kolin.

A bland highly digestible diet is also often prescribed.

If the symptoms continue, your vet might advise X-rays/ultrasound of the abdomen.

However, the most important test is a complete haematology and biochemistry blood profile. I like to request that the bloods go to an external lab to ensure accuracy.

If, along with the clinical signs, the blood albumin is low, it is highly likely to be PLE. There may also be signs of anaemia, low folate/B12 and inflammation.

If the disease has been left untreated for a while, the albumin levels can drop so low that it is life threatening. A critical level to sustain life ifs 15g/L.

To make a definitive diagnosis, gut biopsies may be suggested, however, since the main causes of PLE in a pug are treated the same way, then this may not be necessarily needed especially if finances, or the welfare of the dog doesn’t allow it.

We treated our 11 year old pug Hugo without carrying out a biopsy and after 9 months of treatment he is now in remission.

PLE caused by IBD or lymphoma are treated with immune suppressive drugs. Ideally catch the disease early and hit hard with the medication, which can then gradually be reduced.

The most common drug is prednisolone, at initial doses of 10mg (even 15mg) once daily. Sometimes another drug is added if there’s an initial poor response, such as 2-4 weeks of Clorambucil.

Medication should be gradually reduced to minimum dose that is beneficial.

Cobaplex should also be given, which is a vitamin B supplement, as the condition causes a loss of this very important vitamin.

Finally, diet is very important. Hypoallergenic diets are often prescribed, made by companies like Royal Canin and Purina. Other diets that can work well with the condition are highly digestible low fat diets; I like Hill’s tinned low fat ID or Hill’s turkey ID, small amounts fed frequently to allow absorption by the damaged gut.

There are different levels of severity of IBD/PLE, so unfortunately some dogs deteriorate despite treatment, however others can go on to live for some time with the condition.

Wayne, who was surrendered into our care because of his condition (which was diagnosed by gut biopsy) and adopted by Barrie and Chris Jasper, survived 3 years, though I have seen other pugs die within a few months of diagnosis.

It is a condition that is managed and not cured, and dogs can have flare-ups.

My take home message from this is, if you have a pug that has had diarrhoea for more than 4 weeks that has not responded well to diet change and metronidazole, request a full blood profile (haematology and biochemistry) from an external lab. If the blood albumin is low, discuss with your vet the option of treating for PLE/IBD. The earlier it is treated, the more likely it will respond.

This article is dedicated to Fudge Wilkinson, pictured above, a PDWRA pug owned by Kerry and Pete, who sadly recently died of PLE.

Helen McKee (MRCVS)
PDWRA Vet Advisor.

Pug Health & Wellbeing | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)

Fireworks & Precautions for our pet safety & comfort!

by Yasmin | 23 Oct, 2023 | Blog, News, Pug Health

It’s that time of year again when we can anticipate and prepare for, fireworks during the winter months, not only on bonfire night. It may be the first time you’ll be experiencing how this affects a new pug in your home.