Pug Times Magazine #1 - English by Pug Times Magazine

APRIL 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; YEAR 1 / ISSUE 01 WWW.PUGTIMESMAGAZINE.COM PUGTIMESMAGAZINE@GMAIL.COM

And more

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pugs Pugs and ambulation changes in pelvic limbs

BREEDING PUGS:

IS IT

FOR ME?

Breeding Pugs is a challenge. Are you up for it?

EDITORIAL

e were already thinking about getting back to writing about Pugs, because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been some time since we have released the book Memories of a Kennel. Writing another book, as a friend had suggested me? Maybe, but considering so many messages sent through Facebook asking for help, the magazine came to be a more straightforward choice, where we could address to many readers periodically. We understand that knowledge must be shared, especially those learned in breeding and living with the breed for many years. We will talk about what has worked and what has failed with our Pugs. We have the privilege of following the birth, childhood, adult age and reproductive phase of countless dogs. We have also watched the aging and passing of every one who lived in our house.

Even though the truth is not something absolute or unchanged, we believe that, over the traveled path, we might have something useful to offer to beginner owners and breeders. These shall have special attention in our magazine, because we know how hard it is to start breeding a dog so full of singularities. Should we have facilities specifically for breeding? How to make a roster? How to understand pedigree? Should we use natural mating or artificial insemination? What about birth, how to intervene? How to take care of puppies and deal with coming problems? For the owners, questioning is no lesser, and knowing the properties of the breed prevents risky situations to which Pugs are subjects, due to their traits. How to know if this is the optimum breed for you? How to pick a healthy pup and a commited breeder? How to take care of your Pug?

INDEX

N I C E TO M E E T YO U , M R . P U G INTRODUCING BEGINNER BREEDER BREEDING PUGS:

IS IT FOR ME?

Veterinary Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine – that have dome so much for our dogs – will be present in articles written by several health professionals experienced in the breed. We will get to know interesting shared stories, about difficult or fun times our readers have lived with their Pugs We will have a section where worldwide renowned Pug breeders will give us the honor of sharing their experiences. In the “Letters From Our Readers” section, they will pose questions and make suggestions for future topics. In the ads, advertisers can publish pictures from their Pugs or advertise their work as breeders and exhibitors. Veterinarians and clinics will have specific sections for their ads, and service providers, such as pet shops and others, will also have their own room in our magazine. Thus, we hope to be useful for many, and maybe, adding some detail, to those who are already experienced in the craft of breeding or living with such small beings so special like the Pugs.

EASTERN MEDICINE TRADITIONAL CHINESE

MEDICINE AND PUGS BREEDER’S EXPERIENCES

INTERVIEW WITH: ROSEMARY ROBLES (POCKET PUGS)

WESTERN MEDICINE

PUGS AND AMBULATION CHANGES IN PELVIC LIMBS H OW TO D E A L HOW TO DEAL

WITH GAIT PROBLEMS

EDITORIAL

THE PUG BREED

I T H A P P E N E D TO M E

BY SILVIA TEIXEIRA (AVENGAR KENNEL) L E TT E R S F R O M O U R R E A D E R S

QUESTIONS FROM OUR READERS ANSWERED

BY EXPERIENCED BREEDERS

S TA F F Editor-in-Chief and Director: Angela Nabuco Cover shot: Bibbo Camargo Photos: All dog photos are properties from Nabuco Kennel, or sent and authorized by the owners. Articles: Angela Nabuco and Dr William Costa Estellai Advisors: Dra. Ana Paula Daibert and Dr. William Costa Estellai Associates in this issue: Dra Ana Paula Daibert, Rosemary Robles, Silvia Teixeira, Dra Alice Boing, Marilei Saldanha, Dr Thiago Vaz Lopes and Dra Priscila Cesário Vieira English Version: Ramon Xavier Monteiro Art direction, design and illustration: Inhamis Studio Ads, suggestions and claims: pugtimesmagazine@gmail.com

Let us be worthy of such a charming breed, that changed our lives and that have certainly been changing or will change yours as well. C O N TA C T

Angela Nabuco The Publisher

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N I C E TO M E E T YO U, M R . P U G

NICE TO MEET YOU, MR. PUG Writing about Pugs is a pleasure. Writing for those who love them is an even bigger one, the certainty of being understood. BY A N GEL A NABUCO

am talking about those who live with one or more of them – it’s hard to have just one. I am talking about those who type on their computers with their Pug sleeping in their laps and sometimes stepping on the keyboard, unceremoniously, and maybe having others scattered by the room, from where they can see their owner, keeping him under control. I talk about those who fall asleep cradled by the unfailing snore of their Pugs, shedding on the bedsheets. The four-legged angels positioned wherever they choose to do so: the

center of the bed, pushing everyone to the edge; between the legs or on the pillow of the owner, shaping with their own body some kind of halo over his human’s head, a sanctified halo for those that, completely helpless, are hopelessly hostage of their seduction. I refer to those who witnessed the dread and fear of their Pugs when they are stopped from following them around every room in the house. Those who get an outrage stare when – such a snub – they go out, leaving the poor dogs behind. And those who witness the great

from their humans,

joy in the Pugs when they return home, completely forgiven of their serious misconduct. I also talk about those who dare to raise them responsibly, taking care of litters night and day, while the females sleep soundly, not worrying about their pups. Those who cry unavoidable losses related to Pug breeding, respecting their roster and carefully placing pups in responsible and loving homes. Those who take on the huge challenge it represents, and which we will talk about tirelessly. This adoration for Pugs is as old as the breed, over two thousand years among us, born in the remote China and raised to live with the Ming dynasty. Since forever, a dog for few, that never had to fight to survive. The certainty of the breedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continuity was not in instinct, for example, the femaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to give birth and take care of her offspring by herself, because the owners would take this place. Or his ability to hunt, developing sharp teeth to grind meat, because the food would come ready to be eaten, in exquisite bowls. Or the watchfulness of standing guard in front of the home for scrapings, since they had the vivid red and gold in Chinese cushions. Their assurance of surviving was in their power of seduction. A quintessen-

and follows it by the book, following them like a shadow.

N I C E TO M E E T YO U, M R . P U G

The breed made an oath of never staying away

tial companion dog, who should be specialized in the art of enchanting their owners and making them feel the most remarkable and beloved beings on Earth.

The Pug left China and traveled all around the world in Dutch ships, expanding their ruling over Europe, especially in England and France. It remained a noble companion dog, charming Mary Antoinette, and imposing himself over Napoleon, as lord of the castle.

N I C E TO M E E T YO U, M R . P U G 6

In order to highlight the unique and exclusive aspect, the Pug has been considerably changed with the passing of time, paying a higher toll, heath-wise, for these changes. Their muzzles became flatter and flatter, which compromised their breathing and made their eyes more exposed to wounds. The tailed curled over itself, in a donut-like shape, bent closely over his shortened back, which resulted in some spinal problems with compressed vertebrae. Legs became shorter, with large and powerful bone structure. Body became strong, compact and square-shaped, which justified the multum in parvo concept, meaning lot in a little, a nod to their small stature and powerful structure.

Their assurance of surviving was in their power of seduction.

The breed made an oath of never staying away from their humans, and follows it by the book, following them like a shadow. It looks at him with big and striking eyes, head tilting from one side to the other, as if trying to understand what he is being told. This round head, with a short muzzle, resembles a closed fist, one of the possible explanations as to why it is called Pug, a reference to the word pugnus, also from Latin, meaning fist. Known in many countries as Carlino, Mops or Carlin, the Pug decorates the world in two versions: solid black or many shades of fawn, with black mask and ears. Whichever other colors denote mixed breeding with other breeds and should be severely avoided, these Pugs never being used as stud dogs or bitches in a breeding program. The fur is silky, short and dense, shedding wherever he goes if the owner fails to brush him every day, as punishment for such grave neglect. One must clean his ears, the countless wrinkles on his forehead and the

Mr. Pug can live in tight spaces, although it is not as desirable due to its tendency to overweigh. Being bon vivant as it is, it usually appreciates the fine arts of eating well and plenty, and in these terms it is necessary to withstand the temptation of indulging him, because obesity will take a heavy toll on his delicate health. Living with a Pug is something very singular, a learning process in many ways. Be it in the discipline of their daily care or the adaptation of the house for their needs, such as anti-slip floor to protect them from joint problems, or provide them with somewhere cool and dry, since heat represents a serious threat to their survival. The learning process includes understanding their huge emotional needs, their need of attention and company, not leaving them alone for a whole day.

N I C E TO M E E T YO U, M R . P U G

The learning process includes understanding their huge emotional needs, their need of attention and company, not leaving them alone for a whole day.

one over his muzzle. One must examine the sensitive and ailment-prone skin hidden under his thick fur coat. Daily, as he enjoys himself.

N I C E TO M E E T YO U, M R . P U G

Distinguishing when to indulge and when to deny their demands, making it gently but firmly. Acknowledging their exclusivist and jealous temper â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially when many of them live under the same roof â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and dealing with it without forbearing their cries for attention, very much children-like.

VIDEO

But the biggest learned lesson in living with them goes much beyond that. It is leaving behind this out-of-control rushed life from nowadays, and allowing us to be carried away, at least for a few hours every day, to live fully: resting, sleeping well, enjoying eating with our loved ones, including here, naturally, our Pugs. They are our carpe diem and unconditional love masters, with whom we have so much to learn.

IS IT

FOR ME? Breeding Pugs is a challenge. I always ask those who come to me for tips on how to start: Are you up for it? BY A N GEL A NABUCO

BEGINNER BREEDER

BREEDING PUGS:

e know that every breeder is some kind of insane. He has a screw loose; he is so uncommon he cannot expect to be understood by any mortal. Because of it, he will need another breeder, who speaks the same language, someone with the same obsessions, all derived from the search for perfection of the breed he works with.

BEGINNER BREEDER

And to breed Pugs, besides the usual obsessions, he will need a lot of availability, being exclusive in the first three weeks of life of the litter, at least (I would recommend taking vacations from work in this period). He will also need a strong heart to take the inevitable losses, and also prime determination that can only derive from huge love for the breed.

HOW WOULD THE ROUTINE OF A PUG BREEDER BE? His females will come in heat every six months, averagely, and shall be ready for motherhood: well fed with super-premium dry food, vaccinated, dewormed and never above their regular weight. The fertile period, also called estrus, has to be monitored, for it varies from female to female, being able to start from the seventh day of heat. In this stage bleedings is reduced or stopped, and when she is welcoming for the male, turning her tail to the side, she is establishing the first day of mating. There are female Pugs which will never accept the male, the dominant ones, who bite their mate as soon as he tries to put his paws over their backs. There are breeders who use hormone dosage to determine the beginning of estrus, what might help even more in the cases of the feminist-ish Pugs, diligent of their dominant zone. For doing so, the breeder will rely on a veterinarian specialized in reproduction.

DO THEY MATE ON THEIR OWN? Generally they don’t. Many times they can’t, or only succeed after overly tiring themselves.

• Pregnancy last an average from 58 to 62 days, also depending on the number of puppies. • As soon as the pregnancy is confirmed, the breeder must change the diet • As birth is close, she will no longer be left alone until the pups are born. The breeder shall never leave the male and female in heat together at all times, only in the time of mating. The male may not take the continued effort in the attempts of mating. I know males who have died like this. The best idea is to call your veterinarian to inseminate artificially, or someone experienced with the procedure, which is simple and safe, because it prevents the weariness of many tries and failures, with endless panting from the couple, exhausted, as much as the breeder. Insemination also avoids possible diseases to be transmitted from the female to the male, in case of mating outside the kennel. Here we do the mating for three days in a row, no intervals, always at the fresher time of day, and never after the Pugs feeding. Pregnancy last an average from 58 to 62 days, also depending on the number of pups. This should be a calm time for the female Pug. No trips or walks with her on this time. As soon as the pregnancy is confirmed, the breeder must change the diet to pregnant-directed dry food (or puppy dry food). This ensures calcium intake and avoids eclampsia. From fifteen days of pregnancy, she can have an

There are also the hard odds to face: the loss of a pup or more or the dearest female.”

As birth is close, the living between breeder and Pug becomes special. She will no longer be left alone until the pups are born. He will cancel all his appointments and stay at the girl’s service. He will take her to his room, or sleep in the kennel, with her.

BEGINNER BREEDER

“After that he will be introduced to mommy Pug. If the breeder is lucky, she may get interested on him and lick him, easing his breathing.

ultrasound exam, that will indicate whether she is pregnant, not being ideal to point to the number of pups. For so, the suggested exam is the X-ray, that can only be done from forty days of pregnancy. Neither the ultrasound nor the X-ray is mandatory. We don’t use them routinely here, voting for keeping the pregnant ones quiet.

BEGINNER BREEDER 12

At first, the female will dig the nest, stop eating (which not always happen), body temperature will decrease until between 36.5 and 37 degrees Celsius (97.7 to 98.6 F), eliminate soft stool and at last, start panting. Contractions will gradually become more frequent. Can cesarean occur? Yes, but it should be avoided, and never recommended due to the owner’s or the veterinarian’s convenience. Anesthesia is always a risk for any Pug, and it must always be of the inhalation kind. But she should not be left suffering on an overly long delivery, since the Pug’s breathing condition is not one of the best. Cesarean is also suitable when she does not enter in labor, even after the longest pregnancy period is due, so the life of mother and pup are not under threat. The veterinarian trusted by the owner must be ready to evaluate this need and intervene with cesarean at the right time, if necessary.

DO THEY DELIVER ON THEIR OWN? No. Instinct is something Pugs know little, when compared to other breeds. They don’t break their sacs with their teeth, and, if not helped, a pup will only survive if the sac breaks by itself, when coming through the narrow duct of the vagina. They also don’t cut the umbilical cord, which should be cut and tied by the breeder.

BEGINNER BREEDER After birth, the breeder must clean the pup with a soft towel soaked in warm water, always moving from back to forwards to favor the expelling of fluids through the airways, while keeping the pup with his head below his body, keeping their lungs free from some liquid he may have aspired. It is also important to clean the nostrils with wet cotton, to wipe the phlegm and amniotic fluid. After that he will be introduced to mommy Pug. If the breeder is lucky, she may get interested on him and lick him, easing his breathing. Then, put the pup to be nursed, stimulating uterus contraction for the next one, through oxytocin production. Before the delivery, a warm box must be ready, waiting for the litter. The ideal is to lay then on a heating pad covered with a small towel, and thermostat-controlled. They must be kept there, depending on the season of the year and location, because the body temperature must be kept. Another strong reason to keep them away from their mother is because she sometimes lies nonchalantly over their offspring or she steps on them.

BEGINNER BREEDER

If you are willing to breed them, as far as letting so many things go for them, go ahead. In order to prevent the disaster, they must be put alongside their mother only during nursing, initially every two hours, day and nights, or when the breeder is available to be sitting beside his Pug and her puppies. I have trusted only very few females over all these years of breeding, to leave them on their own with the litter, without oversight. Not every Pug licks their puppies, as stimulus for them to pee and poop. In case they don’t, the breeder will stimulate them gently with wet cotton, as stimulus, until they grow up and are able to do it on their own. The mothers not always lie down to nurse on their own, and they need the breeder while they do it, so they don’t stand up, leaving the litter by themselves or stepping them when she leaves. A Pug I had even laid on her stomach so the puppies wouldn’t reach her teats. Puppies grown, more beautifully every day, new challenges unveil. Aspirating mother’s milk during nursing is very common. The pup can develop pneumonia and, in this case, he must be treated with antibiotics, under veterinarian prescription, naturally. The breeder, even exhausted, must weigh the litter daily, to know if they are putting weight. A crying pup has something wrong. Healthy, well-fed, properly warm puppies, with empty bowels and bladder, sleep quietly, the sleep of the innocent, while the breeder has dark circles around his eyes getting deeper and darker day after day.

There are also the hard odds to face: the loss of a pup or more or the dearest female. Breeder experience lessens those risks, but does not exclude this sad possibility. Somewhere between thirty and forty days old, puppy wet food starts to be introduced to the puppies. At this point, the mother needs to rest, and so does the breeder, for he already sports the face of a zombie. Deworming, vaccinating, keeping them on an anti-slip, draining and clean floor will be some of duties on this stage. Nails have to be always trimmed, since the first days of life, to prevent them for hurting the mother’s nipples or each other’s eyes during plays, since Pugs do not have a long nose to protect them. At this point, the breeder contender has already realized he will be father and mother of the litter, until they are grown. After that, the tough selection of future owners (if he manages to let any pup leave the house) will come. The beloved ones will go on to their new homes, and he will be left wondering “Will they be cared and loved like a Pug needs? If you are willing to breed them, as far as letting so many things go for them, go ahead: I can say that many adventures wait for you. And you will be deeply, deeply loved in return!

EASTERN MEDICINE

FreeImages.com/dcubillas

TRADICIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE AND PUGS BY D R . W I L L I AM COSTA EST EL L AI

y first contact with the Pug breed happened as soon as I graduated in Veterinary Medicine. It was a senior animal that needed acupuncture. As the common standard for the breed, he had a difficult temperament, strongly resolved, but at the same time very caring to people with whom he lived and cared about. Even suffering in old age and with spine issue history, he still got angry when, between needles, I turned my attention to any other Pug in the office. I had the impression that he “I have learned was thinking “It is my acupuncture session; you are here through living with the because of me!” When my attention was turned back to him again, he looked at me kindly. Soon after another breed that the Pug Pug came to the house, this one with the most reis very emotional and markable personality I have seen. Then many others.

needs to express this

I have learned through living with the breed that the Pug typical trait.” is very emotional and needs to express this typical trait. If he doesn’t, this “frustration” will bring problems, maybe evolving to a disease, in major or minor degree. On an everyday basis with them, it became even clearer for me. I started to stress to my clients that everyone directly or indirectly took part in their Pugs lives should turn special attention towards their emotional side. This was the first step towards good health.

EASTERN MEDICINE

T HE THEORY OF 5 ELEMENTS

FIRE Heart/Small intestine

EARTH Spleen/Pancreas

WOOD Liver/ Gallbladder

WATER Kidney/Bladder

METAL Lungs/Large intestine

MIND AND BODY Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches how to treat the individual, not the disease. It means knowing better, within the breed, every individual, as well as their emotional and physical needs. Mind and body walk side by side in animals as well. Walks and exercising outdoors, under the sun, breathing fresh air and interacting with nature provide a huge improvement in quality of life for my Pug patients. I particularly worry very much about how my patients feel. Ancient Chinese said that diseases come through â&#x20AC;&#x153;unresolvedâ&#x20AC;? feelings, and that emotions deserve the same attention the physical body does. Strong negative feelings, or mild but long-lasting, will become diseases as we know in the Western world. Traditional Chinese Medicine aims at keeping or reestablishing balance; unbalance is disease. Animals with emotional problems can be treated with

acupuncture, phytotherapy, massages and exercise. For them not to get sick, it is important to take care of their diet, of where they live, etc. Again: getting to know well the traits of the breed, the individual and also his emotional and physical needs are vital for good health and quality of life. A very particular situation made me add Chinese dietotherapy and phytotherapy in a house with many Pugs. It happened after the owner lost one more animal with liver problems, which was becoming a constant in her senior Pugs. The second last to suffer was a female which was hospitalized for some time, and even after extensive treatment, blood transfusion, she ended up passing away, like others before her. Animals miss their owners and homes a lot. It seemed to me that Pugs missed more; they got much shaken when they needed to be away from their owners, thus this should be avoided as much as possible. So, when a fifth Pug

The Theory of Five Elements (or Five Movements, as some authors prefer to call it) makes a direct relation between physiology and pathology of the individual with the environment in which he lives. I suggested then a technique to invigorate the Earth Element through food. The Chinese say that, when they are going through hardship, other Elements turn to Earth. Earth is the center. So this Pug was offered rice, sweet potato and beef muscle blend, all of them well-cooked, added to Ginseng doses, instead of dry dog food. Within three days of homemade food and phytotherapy, he was great, the forty-five-day diarrhea was over, and this was unpreceded by any other treatment or therapeutic dog food Thus, beginning in October 2011, all pugs in this house started to eat homemade food, following the principles of Chinese dietotherapy. However, the most surprising was yet to come. It was an eleven-year-old Pug that had been showing liver problems for two years, with important alterations, confirmed by successive blood tests. It used to eat dry dog food directed to hepatic problems and he also had all the support a veterinary medical clinic could provide, however without improvement, the disease slowly and progressively evolved.

This case was followed up by blood tests; ultrasound and clinical aspects of the animal, and it became my final project in my postgraduate Veterinary Acupuncture degree.

PREVENTION AS TARGET Now the triad was formed: acupuncture, phytotherapy and dietotherapy, which form the base of Traditional Chinese Medicine, were also present in my patients’ treatment, being successfully put under use for other breeds as well. The result of the change of perspective in taking care of health through Traditional Chinese Medicine, focusing in taking care of the patient instead of the disease, has been successful. Prevention is the keyword, main target based on each and every individual, and appealing to Western Veterinary Medicine in specific cases. This change of focus provided an even bigger life expectancy to many Pugs I follow, because every year they live longer and better. Quantity and quality!

FreeImages.com/Moses Wong

patient started to show clinical signs of diarrhea and weight loss, I asked myself what the Traditional Chinese Medicine could do for him. According to ancient Chinese, there are Five Elements in the nature that form the basis of the material world and are constantly moving: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood.

EASTERN MEDICINE

After two months of Chinese dietotherapy and one month of Chinese phytotherapy, this senior Pug’s liver returned to work normally, with clinical and laboratory full healing, living another four healthy years, finally passing away for other reasons.

And the greatest “incoherence” according to the Western point of view is that they are getting older and taking less medicine! William Costa Estellai Veterinary Doctor – CRMV/MG 10356 Postgraduate in Veterinary Acupuncture Juiz de Fora - MG - BRAZIL w.estellai@hotmail.com 17

BREEDER’S EXPERIENCES 18

ROSEM A RY RO B L E S Pocket Pugs, Sacramento, California, EUA Rosemary has been involved with pugs since 1980’s. She has bred 44 AKC champions since she began breeding in 1999. Additionally, Rosemary has owned and finished 13 champions owned by other people. Her breeding program produced the winner of the 2001 Pug Dog Club of America National Specialty, the 2004 Junior World Champion in Brazil, five All-Breed BIS winners, several Pug specialty winners and many Best of Breed and group wins. Her AKC-registered kennel name is, “Pocket”, and she is an AKC Breeder of Merit. Rosemary achieved the AKC Gold Bred-by-Exhibitor award for exhibiting and and winning AKC Championship titles from the bred by class.

MY EXPERIENCE

AS A PUG BREEDER

1. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BREEDING PUGS AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE BREED? I saw my first pug on on television winning the 1981 Westminster Dog Show and I contacted a local breeder the following day. I bought a pet pug and was introduced to the dog show fancy. I started showing my mentor’s pugs, Marianne Stanley (Full Moon Pugs). This started me onto showing pugs. I had three pugs before I bred my first pug. My first home bred pug was 1999 BISS Pocket’s In The Park (Parker) who won 2001 Pug Dog Club of America as a Breeder/Owner and Handled. After that I had the pug bug.

For those who want to show their own dogs you have to work harder than the handlers. You have to be prepared and multi task and be ready for when the judge takes a look at your dog. Most judges only take a minute to take a look at your dog and at that time you should have your dog presentable so he looks his best. Watch other exhibitors and handlers and practice to see what works best on your dog. Where the position of the head, placement of feet etc to make your dog like the winner. Believe in your dog and be confident that your dog will win.

3. IN YOUR OPINION WHICH ARE THE MAIN HEALTH PROBLEMS OF THE BREED? HOW DO YOU PREVENT AND DEAL WITH THEM? As with all breeds you have health issues. The most drastic is PDE * which can be eliminated in your breeding program by using the tools available these days. PDE is deadly to our breed and to our pugs. Using the testing available now to determine your pugs markings and know what the stud dogs you use markings are too. Of course you have several others that are very severe to our breed like hemivertbrae, heart issues, patellas, liver shunts and eye issues. As a breeder, you must know your lines and ask what issues the stud dog you are using if you go out to another kennel. You surely don’t want to double up on any faults.

Keep in touch with puppy buyers to know any health issues that might arise. Testing can be done but I find that most US-based pug breeders don’t test beyond PDE.

4. WHAT IS MORE PLEASANT AND WHAT IS MORE DIFFICULT ABOUT BREEDING PUGS FOR YOU? Breeding pugs is not for all people. You have to care for them very carefully once they are born. Keeping them warm, dry and fed. Climate control is so important and sometimes the mother is not a good mother and you have to work extra hard to keep them alive. The best part about breeding is to know how much your pugs loved by pet and show owners alike. Getting the photos of the pugs you have bred by the proud owners.

BREEDER’S EXPERIENCES

2. TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE ON THE RING. WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO ONE WHO WANTS TO SHOW HIS PUG?

5. WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR THE BEGINNER BREEDER? If you are a beginner breeder you must learn as much as you can from your mentors. Ask lots of questions and learn as much as you can from those who have the experience. Network with other breeders because cause after you have been breeding long enough, you will see it all — the good and the sad. Just as breeding pugs is not for the faint of heart, it is also not a moneymaking endeavor. With all the time and expense required to do it right, breeding more often than not leaves you in the red. I have to say that since getting involved in the dog show world I have met and become friends with so many people across the USA and throughout the world. This pug passion has brought me wonderful life-long friendships since the 1980’s.

* PDE: Pug Dog Encephalitis 19

WESTERN MEDICINE

PUGS AND AMBULATION CHANGES IN PELVIC LIMBS BY DRA ANA PAUL A DAI B ERT

I Intervertebral discs diseases, or disc diseases, happen often to Pugs, as well as to other chondrodistrophic breeds.

t is widely known that Pugs may present a number of bone and neurological pathological conditions that can alter regular ambulation, meaning the gait of pelvic limbs. A fair share of these conditions is related to the Chondrodystrophycal standards of the breed. Chondrodistrophy is a disorder in which the cartilage responsible for the growth of long bones ossifies too early, arresting the growth of long bones before appropriate age, resulting in dwarfism of the limbs. In addition to shortened limbs, chondrodystrophycal breeds often display narrower vertebral canal, and also changes in joint cartilages, what is a predisposition to degenerative joint disease. Adverse factors related to environment (phenotypic factors) such as overweight, rapid growth, slippery floor and over exercising may rush the occurrence of clinical signs or hasten the emergence of these diseases. Chondrodistrophy dog breeds such as Pugs and French Bulldogs show a higher risk of vertebral spine deformity called hemivertebrae. Medical diagnosis is established through vertebral spine radiographic evaluation made by a veterinary doctor. Many times the animals are asymptomatic carriers of this disorder, not

showing any symptom over their lives. However, some may show severe signs like pain, lack of coordination and even movement loss. Pugs and small dog breeds show high occurrence of the Legg-CalvĂŠ-Perthes disease (aseptic degeneration of the head on the femur bone). The pathophysiology of the disease involves the reduction of blood supply irrigation of the head on the femur bone, culminating in changes on the anatomy of the hip joint, called ball and socket joint. The disease can be one or two-sided and medical diagnosis is obtained through radiographic evaluation of the afflicted joint. The first clinical sign seen is pain and limping. Generally, symptoms come early (before turning one year old) and treatment is surgery, although resting and physiotherapy may be taken into consideration before surgery indication. Intervertebral discs are cartilaginous structures interposed between vertebrae that work like shock absorbers. Intervertebral discs diseases, or disc diseases, happen often to Pugs, as well as to other chondrodistrophic breeds. Disc diseases happen due to the degeneration of intervertebral discs, culminating in the splitting of the nucleus pulposus or protrusion of the fibrous annulus.

The former is usually acute and the latter is chronic, and the symptoms relate to compression of the cervical spine cord by the degenerated intervertebral disc. The most commonly afflicted area of the spine is the thoracolumbar junction, located close to the center of the torso. The main clinical signs of thoracolumbar disc disorder are pain, loss of proprioception (awareness of the position of one’s body) and pelvic limbs plegia (inability to move). Medical diagnosis is stablished through more complex scanning exams (ideally MRI scan) and treatment relies on a number of factors, maybe being conservative or surgical. Hip joint dysplasia, or developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), is the most common cause of limping in pelvic limbs in dogs. Many dog breeds are prone to this condition, especially German Shepherds and Labradors. Retrospective studies show that around 62% of Pugs show some kind of hip dysplasia. Actually some authors consider this condition as a trait of the breed. DDH is a congenital disease typified initially by the laxity of the supporting capsule of the hip joint. Depending on the conditions in which the animal is raised, the disease can be arrested in this stage. However, if phenotypic factors are favorable, the disease progresses and bone alterations can be observed, such as broadening of the femoral neck, flattening of the hip ball and shallowing of the acetabulum. The first noted clinical sign by owners is the refusal in getting up and climbing stairs. In Pugs, clini-

WESTERN MEDICINE

62% OF PUGS SHOW SOME KIND OF HIP DYSPLASIA. ACTUALLY SOME AUTHORS CONSIDER THIS CONDITION AS A TRAIT OF THE BREED.

cal signs generally appear starting at ten months of age, in opposition to what happens to dogs of great size, in which the disease can occur in the first months of life. The disease can evolve into subluxation or even full luxation of hip joint. Medical diagnosis is stablished through scanning exams. There are many conservative and surgical options for treatment of the DDC. Among the proposed surgical treatment, currently the full hip prosthesis implant is the most adequate option; however, depending on the age of the animal when diagnosed and how severe the disease is, other surgical techniques might be indicated. The veterinary orthopedist is the best professional to choose the most appropriate treatment for each patient.

Dra. Ana Paula Daibert Veterinary Doctor – CRMV/MG 6732 Doctor’s degree in Small Animal Surgery

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HOW WE DEAL WITH GAIT PROBLEMS BY ANGEL A NAB U CO

irst he starts to spend more time sitting, walking less and avoiding climbing up or down stairs to avoid pain. In some cases, the pain can come in acute crisis, similar to a syncope or convulsion, especially when the lesion attacks the cervical spine. Depending on the cause and location, the end of a paw starts to curl backwards and the dog can no longer gait appropriately, what is called loss of proprioception. The following tendency is that the other paws show the same distress. A wobbling and staggering gait follows. As the problem advances, he can no longer hold feces or urine.

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WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?

WHAT TO DO?

Pugs are a breed heavily modified by man, and the causes to these problems are many and result from their body conformity of condrodistrophy (some kind of dwarfism). The socket of the hind legs is not strong in the majority of the Pugs, and their spines, located in a shortened back, have the same number of vertebrae, now compressed in a tighter space, maybe compressing and altering the spinal cord or their nerve endings. Both conditions, among others, including malformations, may result in the aforementioned cases or similar.

Without any delay, at the show of the first symptom, take him to a good veterinarian specialized in orthopedics and neurology, with both clinical and surgical experience. Exams in order to make a diagnosis are clinical exam, X-ray, and in some cases, myelography, an exam made under the effect of general anesthetics, using a contrast medium, which is considerably invasive and has its risks. The surgical corrections for gait problems are very complex and represent a therapeutic option that must be carefully considered.

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Even when prescribed, surgery must be weighed as whether the best exit or not for that specific Pug. Success rates of every case have to be explicitly outlined and informed to the owner.

QUESTION IS: HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS NEW SCENARIO? HOW IS THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF THIS FELLOW?

For young Pugs with a good prognosis, it is worth investing in the correction. But as for the elderly, or those capable of non-surgical countermeasures, the cost benefit certainly will not be rewarding, with high risks and often uncertain results. In case your Pug is of very advanced age, even myelography should be avoided, being essential only in case of surgical correction.

First comes the attention to the environment in which he lives, that shall be intensified: a slippery floor means major difficulty, due to the lack of adherence to his already difficult gait, perhaps encumbering even more the causing pathology. Jumping off a sofa means impact for every fragile joint of Pugs, aggravated by their heavy frame. It is a dangerous habit that can be avoided simply by adding a ramp or some steps next to the sofa or bed. These countermeasures arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t strictly for the individuals with ambulation problems, instead for every Pug, being even the more fundamental for the affected. Such simple arrangements, carried out through all their lives, are impor-

WHETHER OR NOT SURGICAL INTERVENTION IS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOUR PUG, THE FOLLOWING

Acupuncture is of great help. It controls pain, helps in the motor and sensitive part, as well as urine and feces control, being indicated also after surgery. We will come back to it in details in exclusive articles. Physiotherapy is also of great help, made by specialized veterinarians. Moderate exercise, like daily walks, outdoors and during cooler hours, whenever possible, is also very important for your Pug. Because he will gain muscular strength to keep his pelvis joint safe, making his standing posture easier, as much as possible. This is also very important for preventing these pathologies.

For the ones with low urination control, it is fundamental to empty the bladder at least three times a day, with soft but compressive and deep massages on their abdomens, to help them eliminate urine retained in the bladder, avoiding the so-constant urinary infections that can be even lethal in some cases.

The liquid intake must be encouraged to help urinary infectionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prevention, stimulating with palatable drinks. Watermelon and melon juice not only are flavorful, but also have the property of heightening urination, cleaning the bladder.

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tant preventative measures in order to avoid or minimize gait problems. And once the lesion has taken place, they are all the more vital. It is important to highlight that overweight must be avoided for every Pug, especially in these cases.

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Offering a decent life to your dog with ambulation problems is a gesture of love. Diapers can be occasionally worn, but it is important to stress how they favor the emergence of urinary infections. Putting them to sleep over absorbent pads is of great help to keep them drier. Hygiene must be made as many times as possible, for rashes are common in most advanced cases, when the dog remains sit over urine and feces, for not being able to stand anymore. Wheelchairs, in more drastic cases, mean a possibility for your Pugs to walk, run and be happy again. Used during certain times of day, the chairs allow mobility that makes them very happy. We had a Pug that, when riding his wheelchair, went back to practice a much appreciated sport, chasing the gardener, who he deemed to be an intruder, obliging him to jump over the fence. After that he would turn to us, smelling victory.

If the lack of walking compromises the hind legs, the chair will hold them away from the ground, and he will use the fore legs to pull the chair and move around. If the paralysis affects all four limbs, even if he canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t walk, the wheelchair will keep him standing for many hours every day, being beneficial for body posture, keeping your Pug away from contact with feces and urine and helping him emotionally. The veterinarian shall measure your Pug and send the measurements to a specialized company that will design the wheelchair in the appropriate size and model for him. This will ensure his comfort and consequently his will to enjoy this benefit. Offering a decent life to your dog with ambulation problems is a gesture of love. A discipline and giving learning process for owners and breeders, and a more than deserved reward for those who would give their lives for us if necessary: our very much beloved Pug.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A discipline and giving learning process for owners and breeders, and a more than deserved reward for those who would give their lives for us if necessary: our very much beloved Pug.â&#x20AC;?

IT HAPPENED

TO ME

IT HAPPENED TO ME

BY SI LV IA T EI XEI RA

Calm morning. It is just beginning. I enter the kennel, they bark, I pour dry food into their bowls, the right serving for everyone. Glutton Pugs, the usual every day hunger. They start eating, bowls dragged screeching against the floor. Soon they will be released, running along the lawn full of the energy that makes Pugs happy. But before that, a cough. I sharpen my ears. Another cough. I turn around to see Tufão choking. Not a regular coughing, but one that keeps the eyes wide open, glaring at me as if begging for help. I run to him and opening his jaws, I see his gums go purple, skipping breath. I dive my hand trying to take the grain of food that took the wrong way, as I had learned in a Veterinarian Nursery course previously, but Tufão is still choking, drooling. A strong, floundering Pug, who won’t let me put his head down. It is also pointless to raise his hind legs and hit him in the back. I burst out the door, with Tufão on my arms, fainted, and I’m on my working clothes, feet stuck in galoshes, on my way to the clinic. I barge in the clinic, yelling, unannounced, as frantic as the situation needs me to be. After being seen, relieved, he sleeps in my arms. I was very close to losing my beloved Tufão.

Lesson learned. Glutton Pugs mustn’t eat dry food. But how can I feed these guys safely? Among the options, I’ve chosen homemade feeding. I do not spare any effort for my Pugs, and to learn how to prepare, I had to travel as many as three thousand kilometers. Having seen and taken notes of everything, I come back to start preparing it. Pureed and safe food for them. Only the babies have yogurt-soaked dry food, while adults delight with the home made food I prepare so affectionate and carefully. They keep strong and healthy. No more scares that disturb the mornings in my kennel. Calm, like every morning should be.

Silvia Teixeira Pug Breeder and Avengar Kennel owner 27

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letters from our readers Doubts answered by:

Alice Boing

Veterinary Doctor Alice Boing (CRMV-SC 4818) - Boingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gold Pugs Pug Specialized Breeding

Can supplementing a pregnant dog alter the offspring? The puppies have a secretion on their noses that increases when they are feeding. How can I know if it is milk or an infection? Gleisiel Antonio Aquino - Itutinga (MG) - Brazil Every supplementation on pregnant and nursing mothers must be done under veterinary supervision, but it is known that in different stages of pregnancy there are more needs of some certain elements, for example, folic acid the first stages of fetal growth. Meaning there is a specific stage for its absorption in which the effects are as expected. Appropriate feeding associated to quality supplementation should be started before the heat of the female in order to have enough time to be absorbed and reach adequate levels, hence contributing to optimal embryonic development. Regarding the nasal secretion, you would have to check their other clinical signs. If it is an infection, there will probably be a temperature, pulmonary rales and heavy breathing, typical signs from aspiration pneumonia. Another good tip would be to collect that secretion for bacterial culture.

My doubt is exactly about shedding. I have heard many accounts about vitamins, shampoos, but I have always been afraid of using them for not being unanimous. Would natural and healthy diet make it better? That is my question, if there is anything concrete, repeatedly tested and efficient against shedding. I have already used three different kinds of dog food on my three-year-old Pug. None of them worked as expected. Thiago Motta - JoĂŁo Pessoa (PB) - Brazil Hello, Thiago. Regarding shedding, firstly you should be sure that there is no other pathology on the skin that can harm the hair follicle and cause shedding. Another relevant factor is that the Pug is a short and double-haired dog, with coat and undercoat, being constantly exchanging, because they show hair both in anagen (growing) and telogen (falling) phase. Excessive fur exchange may also be caused by a poor diet, made whether with dog dry food or homemade food, the diet must be balanced and contain the nutrients needed for the animal to have proper absorption. Regarding bathing products, as long as the dog does not have any skin problem, a neutral shampoo along with a good moisturizer is enough for adequate hair and skin hygiene. Remember that some good brushing helps in the shedding of dead hair and stimulates the growing of new ones.

Marilei Saldanha (Maripug)

High Councillor & Exposition Director of KCRGS

and Thiago Vaz Lopes

Veterinary Doctor in Animal Sciences by UFPEL, Administrative Director of KCR Pug Breeders since 1997 by D’Âme Noble Kennel

Which direction should I take? Personal taste or exposure-directed standards? What if the standard in question is not what you think is correct? Is the number one in rank the best of the breed? I’m lost Karla Renata Tramujas Rebuite - Belo Horizonte (MG) Brazil

When we say “standard”, the word etymologically takes us to a role to be followed. Anything apart from that are disqualifying faults; yes, I can have personal taste, but only in what is allowed to. For example: Standard weight is between 6.3 and 8.1kg, within this range I can pick the maximum or minimum weight. There is only one Pug Breed Standard determined by CBKC-FCI, actually there is a commented standard on the website, aimed at helping. The number one in rank is the Pug with most qualities among the submitted, amounting a large score. Can there be a better one? Yes. But a home dog does not score rank.

I want to ask a question about white nails. It tends to be out of standards. I actually prefer it, because it makes cutting them easier. Can’t a white-nailed Pug reach the tracks?

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Doubts answered by:

Viviane São Martinho - Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Brazil Breeding dogs is like being part of a religion or any other society, in which you have to agree to what is stablished in the principles, for us called “standard”. When we decide to breed a certain dog, we are subjects to following what is stablished within them. White nails are not allowed for Pugs, being so a fault, caused by absence of pigmentation that is probably hampering the whole set. We know there is no such thing as a perfect dog, but we always aim the closest to perfection, always maintaining the overall harmony. Being so, if one has black nails, as asked, and the other white nails, the judges will give scores for the one with most attributes, more excellency. The judge looks a dog overall. He judges by the qualities. What matters is to be an excellent dog, supreme, a show off dog.

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letters from our readers Doubts answered by:

Priscilla Cesário Vieira Veterinary Doctor and Pug breeder (CRMVRJ8553) Vale dos Vieiras Kennel

I have inseminated my dog on the sixth, seventh, eighth, tenth and twelfth day of heat, but she keeps bleeding and looking for males. Today it is the fifteenth day, do you think I should mate her or not? Ideildo Lucena Moura da Silva Júnior - Olinda (PE) - Brazil

Hello, I have a one-year-and-a-half old Pug. He scratches his ear too much. I have taken him to the veterinary, exams were done and nothing came out of it. What can I do? Thuianne Rodrigues Lima - Goiânia (GO) - Brazil Excessive wax, parasites (fleas and ticks) and even infection like otitis might cause itch on the dog’s ears. Cleaning the ear canal deeper, where the occurrence of wax can be stronger, we also find ear mites that can also cause this itch. The ideal would be for a Veterinary Doctor to clean it deeply and to prescribe good ceruminolitics so you can clean the ear ducts frequently to relieve the itch.

When we think about mating a dog, we have to follow the heat through vaginal cytology and progesterone dosage in order to inseminate in the correct day, that is, in the estrus stage, where ovulation will happen. Thus, it wouldn’t be necessary to inseminate as much as you did, especially because ovulation happens only once. Not every female stops bleeding when in her fertile period, so in this time it is normal to be influenced by estrogen, hence the acceptance. But that does not mean we are still in the fertile period in the fifteenth day of heat. We Hello, I would like to congratulate only get to know throuyou for the magazine and suggest gh the mentioned tests.

suggestions

studies regarding brachycephalic dogs, body heat management and complications regarding to overweight and skin problems. Thank you. Isabella Goulart - Botucatu, SP - Brazil

Hello Isabella, thanks for the encouragement and the participation. A part of these subjects is already being addressed on this first issue, and you can be sure you will read about all of them in our magazine soon. Hugs.

B R E E D E R S , OW N E R S & E V E N T S

V E T E R I N A RY D O C T O R S