PUG HEALTH
** Regarding H3N1 for
dogs - It is important for you to know if you don't frequent dog parks,
groomers or places that many dogs come together (kennels and the like) the
risk is very low.**
The dogs
most susceptible to this flu are young dogs and puppies, or older dogs.
Nutrition is THE most
important factor of the Pug Breed, or any breed or mixed breed. Celtic Pugs
want to emphasize the importance of nutrition especially in the first year
of a Pugs life, as to provide the proper nutrition for brain development. No
longer is the "Farm Dog" mentality of feeding whatever you have a coupon
for, or is on sale appropriate. Many diseases and disorders can be totally
eliminated if proper nutrition is first and foremost on the list. Celtic
Pugs recommends NutriSource. Not because we get a kick back, or free food. On the contrary we get neither. We recommend the food for its substance, 
period. Other foods comparable is Nutro's Ultra. Many times even Vet's are confused by what food is best, and some even sale food that in our opinion is crap. Loaded with by-products and corn and other filler material like peanut husk. Read the label, the first ingredient should ALWAYS be a Meat meal, like Chicken Meal, or Lamb Meal, or Beef Meal. Some people do not understand that a "Meal" is actually better than a meat listed first. The ingredients are listed in order of what is most in the food, and before it is cooked down. A meal will hold its protein value, because it is already cooked down. If chicken is listed first, it is cooked down and 80% is water, and you are left with 20% protein. Celtic Pugs strives to be on the leading edge to what is best for Pug nutrition, and we want to only promote what is good for our Pugs and yours. 
*Treats and Biscuits should never be given to puppies under the age of one, unless you are training and we would tell you to used Nutro's "sticks" They look like "slim Jim's" and smell like them as well, but you can break them down into tiny little pieces for training. In our opinion no biscuit has the same nutrition as what your dogs food will have, and filling your puppy up with fillers, means they will NOT eat their own food and not get the proper nutrition. Avoid the temptation for treating them. Pugs put on weight very easy and it is very hard on their systems. Being overweight puts an added burden on their breathing and their short legs. It goes without saying that we NEVER encourage table food. ONIONS, GRAPES, RAISINS, CHOCOLATE should be avoided at all cost. Also prescription or over the counter medicines should be kept away at all times.
*This is the list of health problems that have been reported in pugs that can have a genetic nature.
The following problems can be found in Pugs. These are general statements and symptoms, but you should ALWAYS contact your Vet to run proper test to be assured. Only a Vet would be able to determine that a problem would be considered "genetic" as there are many instances where the problems can be from neglect, or improper nutrition, or environment.
Heart Disease - is a broad category of conditions both congenital and acquired that affects how efficiently the heart is able to pump blood. Signs of heart disease can include exercise intolerance, poor growth, weight loss, chronic cough, a pot bellied appearance, and even fainting episodes. Many heart problems can be detected on physical exam. A complete workup for heart disease can include radiographs, ECG, blood work, and even ultrasound.
Hypothyroidism - is a decreased production of thyroid hormone. Hypothyroid dogs are frequently overweight, have poor hair coats, irregular heat cycles and poor fertility. Hypothyroidism is diagnosed by measuring thyroid hormone levels in the blood.
Laryngeal Polyps - are small benign masses that grow on irritated vocal cords. They can be a sequelae to an elongated soft palate or airway obstruction. They are best observed under anesthesia.
Liver Disease - is a broad category of conditions affecting the liver. Signs of liver disease can include poor growth, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, a pot bellied appearance, and even seizures. A complete workup for liver problems can include blood tests, radiographs, ultrasound, and biopsies.
Pigmentary Keratitis - is the development of a brown film (pigment) over the clear cornea of the eye. It can be readily detected with a bright light and a little practice. Pigmentary Keratitis can be the bodies response to toughen the cornea in the face of irritation such as Entropion, Distichiae, injury or lack or tears. In mild cases the pigment is laid down on the cornea only at the location of the injury or irritation. Mild Pigmentary Keratitis may resolve when the irritation is corrected. Severe Pigmentary Keratitis is when the eye hyper-responds to an irritation and proceeds to pigment an area of the cornea larger than has been directly irritated or injured. Severe Pigmentary Keratitis can proceed to blindness, and improves very little when the source of irritation is removed.
Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) - is a fatal seizure disorder exclusive to the Pug. The exact cause has yet to be found. Dogs with PDE can exhibit seizures, progressive paralysis, periodic blindness, coma, and sudden death. The disease can be rapidly or slowly progressive. Some dogs even have temporary remissions. Dogs with PDE usually fail to respond to anticonvulsant therapy and progress to coma and death or elective euthanasia when symptoms are uncontrollable. To date, the only completely accurate diagnosis is postmortem examination of the brain. A tentative diagnosis of PDE is supported by ruling out other possible diseases, a characteristic white blood cell profile in cerebral spinal fluid that is seen in some PDE cases, or by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain.
Renal Disease - is any disorder affecting kidney function. Dogs with chronic renal disease may drink a lot of water produce large amounts of dilute urine; have weight loss, vomiting, and ulcers. Dogs in acute renal failure may stop drinking and produce little to no urine. A complete workup for renal disease can include blood tests, urinalysis, and kidney biopsies.
Seizure Disorders - are any disease that can produce seizures. This includes Porto systemic shunts, Pug dog Encephalitis, hydrocephalus, and idiopathic epilepsy, high temperatures, poisons (including medications (and overmedicating), some foods and insecticides such as weed & feed), environmental concerns, head injuries. Pugs tend to have a lower “seizure threshold than most dogs. The administration of certain common drugs such as Ace Promazine or the brief oxygen deprivation can induce seizures in normal Pugs. Seizures can vary in form from a blank stare to a behavioral quirk, a muscular tick to a complete convulsion. A complete workup for seizures can include blood tests, a cerebral spinal fluid tap, and CT or MRI scans. Be aware that inner ear infections and allergies can cause stroke-like and or seizure like symptoms. PLEASE NOTE THAT VERY FEW PUG
SEIZURES ARE ACTUALLY CAUSED BY PUG DOG ENCEPHALITIS.
Pyometra or Uterine Infection: This is a disease that can only affect intact female dogs of any breed. Some breeds have a tendency to develop faster than others. This is another reason that Celtic Pugs adopts our puppies with a spay/neudar contract only.
Pyometra affects dogs that were not spayed, and especially older female dogs. Pyometra typically occurs in a female one to two months following her last heat cycle. This article does not give specific medical details, just
some warnings as to what it is, and what to watch for. Pyometra has two ways to affect your dog. Either open or closed. With the open, there can be a discharge from the vagina. This means that the cervix is open and allows
for discharge to eliminate from the body. While serious and needs Vet attention, the closed is harder to detect, and normally is much more serious. The closed locks in the bacteria, and the uterus will enlarge, and can erupt and
spread sepsis throughout the body. Warning signs to watch for is lethargy or lack of energy, depression, lack of appetite, excessive water intake, excessive urination, pale gums. Treatment for this is normally to do a spay, and to remove
the infected uteris and ovaries. If it is open, antibiotics can be given under the direction of your Vet. Other treatments can also be advised by your Vet. If you suspect this, don't wait, get into your Vet as soon as possible. Try not to pick up
your dog from underneath, or allow her to jump, as this can cause the uteris to rupture. In our opinion, there really is not a good excuse as to why not to spay your dog. If your not a breeder, why allow your girl to go through the torture
of a heat cycle. Here at Celtic Pugs, we have all our retired Moms spayed right after their last litter, as an added precaution from this disease.
HOT WEATHER AND YOUR PUG/BULLDOG ALERT!!!
When the temps rise above 80, every Pug and Bulldog owner needs to be alert and aware of the health risk with their dog. When the temps climb above 85 past 90, neither breed can be outside longer than 5 minutes. Try to limit their activity to early morning and late evening. A good first aid item to have on hand at all times is a spray bottle filled with 1 part lemon juice, three parts water. If your dog, especially occurring in the Bulldog, gets too much flem build up, quickly take them to a cooler location and spray this mixture at the back of their throat. This helps to break down the flem to open the airway. Many Bulldogs have died because of this. While Pugs are more tolerable, they too can pass away from heat stroke or exhaustion. Please have at least one room where air conditioning is available, and have your dog set up in that room, even if you are away. Plenty of fluids should be offered. You may even have some pedialyte on hand. Ice cubes make a great treat, and most dogs love them. They also replenish fluid. Some people will purchase a kid pool, a hard plastic pool. Make sure that you use fresh water each time they use it. You can also fill the bath up a bit with cooler water. The water does not need to be deep, just enough that they can cool off, about 4 inches is plenty. While Pugs can learn to swim well, Bulldogs are like sinkers, and are very poor swimmers; of course there are exceptions, but not many.
* Important Note: Bulldogs can not swim!
