25/03/2023
PEMF is supposed to provide comfort to PM cases.
Pug Dog Health - Rear Ataxia/Paralysis Pug Myelopathy
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- Pug Dog Health - Rear Ataxia/Paralysis Pug Myelopathy
Information about Pug (Constrictive) Myelopathy, Spinal Arachnoid Diverticula (SADs), and other Pug Most Pugs DO NOT have DEGENERATVE Myelopathy (DM).
Rear Limb Ataxia/Paralysis, or “Weak Rears” in purebred Pugs is widespread and the 3rd most troubling problem in this breed today. Little is known about this condition, and many Pugs with chronic progressive symptoms may have been misdiagnosed. Only recently have neurologists and surgeons begun to recognize this disabling disease, and information (please submit the Ataxia Questionnaire about your
Pug) is needed to characterize and improve prognosis for affected Pugs. Signs usually first appear in mature dogs, and initial problems may be confusing. Owners may first notice reluctance to climb stairs, walk on slippery floors, or a change in bowel or bladder habits. Individual dogs may begin to defecate in the house, walk during urination, and have difficulty urinating or leak urine indoors. Symptoms can progress to obvious abnormalities in rear leg gait or function, onset of orthopedic problems such as slipped stifles (luxating patellas), inability to stand, and eventual paralysis of the rear legs. IT IS IMPERATIVE TO SEEK AN EXAM BY A QUALIFIED VETERINARY NEUROLOGIST OR SURGEON WHEN SYMPTOMS FIRST APPEAR. To establish the prevalence of spinal cord disease in Pugs, we are seeking individual histories of affected Pugs, alive or deceased, to validate the tragedy of this disease. I work in collaboration with Dr. Christine Dresser, health adviser to the Pug Dog Club of America (PDCA); Dr. Jon Patterson, a veterinary neuropathologist at Michigan State University, and cooperating veterinary colleges and researchers. Our goal is to find and fund more efficient methods to diagnose, care for, and eventually reduce the incidence in the breed. In the past year, scientific articles have been published in JAVMA (see references on this page), and at the 2013 Tufts Canine Genetics Conference (VIN). This Pug spinal disease is known by different names, including “Pug Myelopathy”, “Pug Constrictive Myelopathy”, “Facet Hypoplasia”, “Subarachnoid Diverticula” and others. Although exact pathogenesis (chain of events) is unknown, the relationship between abnormal spinal thoracic vertebrae (in all Pugs), an unstable spine, small pockets of fluid that may appear in the spinal column, and a potential devastating, permanent compression of the spinal cord are being explored. It is believed this may be the most common cause of mid-back spinal cord paralysis in Pugs. Please contact Dr. Kathleen Smiler for additional information. Tissues from affected Pugs may be donated to Michigan State University, Pug Myelopathy Project to advance critical research.
25/02/2023
02/02/2023
Please fill out this survey about the value of therapeutic carts. Mention pugs, pug myelopathy and Wheelie Pugs in the survey.
The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is conducting an anonymous survey study to determine if use of assistive mobility carts impacts animal and caretaker quality of life. Eligible participants include animal caretakers who have or have previously had a pet that used an assistive....
10/05/2022
A recent great article by Dr. Michael Wong https://www.facebook.com/145935962105139/posts/5484259044939444/?d=n
19/04/2022
Why did this pug die?
There are many memorials for recently deceased pugs. Please realize the majority of pugs have not died from Pug Myelopathy. They are elderly, have other medical problems, and simply reached the end of their natural life. Some have been significantly affected by the physical demands of rear limb paralysis and arthritis that can cause loss of front leg function. But most of these dear dogs just reached their time. I put up a great article for all of you on compassion fatigue on Wheelie Pugs. But our pugs live a long and good life despite their disabilities.
01/01/2022
I am really concerned about the dogs that are leaking urine and an honest effort is not made to express their bladders. It is a serious problem and l don’t know how to convince those owners that are tolerant of leaking this has to be addressed. The elaborate diapering suggestions always are worrisome, but the real problem is why are the diapers needed? Why have their veterinarians not investigated why a dog is diapered? It is a serious medical management issue and if you do not pursue expressing your dog when the danger signs of urinary retention begin you are potentially allowing your dog to become very ill.
Please make sure your veterinarian is aware of the necessity to express the upper motor neuron pug bladder.
http://pugrearataxiaparalysis.com/urination.html
Tips for keeping a Pug's bladder healthy by manually expressing an incontinent dog.
26/10/2021
Aging pugs make special pets, just need to learn how to care for them. ♥️🐾
22/09/2021
Your pug can live a good long life despite their disability with dedicated long term nursing care.
16/08/2021
It is common for elder pugs to develop neck problems years after they are first affected by Pug Myelopathy. This disease is quite painful and requires different treatment. If recommended, surgery on a cervical disc is often successful.
https://www.facebook.com/145935962105139/posts/4627199310645426/
11/01/2021
Regarding CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT
This information supports that ataxic pugs with Pug Myelopathy should not be treated by chiropractic adjustment as they have an unstable spine. This is because the articular processes on the thoracic vertebrae are hypoplastic or underdeveloped. The spinal cord can be easily injured. Only use chiropractic adjustment in purebred pugs if ordered by a board certified veterinary neurologist.
Hansen’s Type 2 IVDD is often found in older pugs with Pug Myelopathy.
https://dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/chiropractic/%E2%80%8B
22/10/2020
11/10/2020
I am really concerned about the dogs that are leaking urine and an honest effort is not made to express their bladders. It is a serious problem and l don’t know how to convince those owners that are tolerant Of leaking this has to be addressed. I want to start a new thread of discussion but worry it is too hot a topic. The diapering suggestions always are worrisome, but the real problem is why are the diapers needed? Why have their veterinarians not investigated why a dog is diapered? It is a serious medical management issue.
Please make sure your veterinarian is aware of the necessity to express the upper motor neuron pug bladder.
http://pugrearataxiaparalysis.com/urination.html
20/09/2020
Pug with DEGENERATIVE Myelopathy
Someone wrote me the 17th? about a pug with DM "at risk" DNA results. The message disappeared during a webmail accident. Please resend to [email protected] !
07/09/2020
Thanks to everyone encouraging expressing the bladder. The new owners need to understand this is not for convenience, it is critical for the health of your pug. If the dog is unable to completely void it’s bladder, the retained urine will grossly distend the bladder, permanently damaging the walls. If they only urinate by leaking urine, the retained urine becomes a stagnant pool subject to infections, formation of bladder stones that require surgery, and sludge that can cause obstruction. If you need a diaper your pug probably has developed the symptoms of urinary retention incontinence and may require medical attention. Expressing the bladder is the required care for a pug that has ataxia and is not , or will soon be not , urinating normally. It is not something that can be delayed, denied, or avoided. Managing defecation is not a medical requirement, but it is good management to help keep your home and the dog’s surroundings hygienic.
http://pugrearataxiaparalysis.com/pug-care-knowledge.html
PROIN
Proin is the absolutely wrong drug for treating urinary problems in paralyzed dogs and l have written that so many times. It causes the opposite of what is needed for Pug Myelopathy urinary retention incontinence. If your veterinarian does not know that, he should consult a neurologist experienced with purebred pugs. Proin is used in spayed female dogs because their genitalia become lax due to lack of estrogen. Small amounts of urine may leak. The Proin perhaps makes those areas a little firmer, but also retains urine that you are trying to remove by expressing the dog. A veterinarian that is not familiar with Pug Myelopathy may assume that when they are leaking urine that’s because of lack of estrogen. They have missed the true cause that the urine is retained and the bladder is not completely voided. They may not understand the physiology of managing the bladder of a paralyzed dog. Any tightening of the urinary system just makes urine more difficult to remove. The bladder sphincter has become tight because the upper motor neurons that consciously open it have been destroyed along the spinal cord. When the dog consciously tries to urinate despite this paralysis, the sphincter does not open. By expressing the dog with manual pressure on the bladder the sphincter spasm is overcome and you can completely void the bladder for your dog. I have only heard of one or two neurologists that used Proin after the urinary retention incontinence was identified in the paralyzed dog. Proin should not be used, except an extremely rare cases and only a when prescribed by neurologist who is treating your dog for a Pug Myelopathy.
Phenylpropanolamine is a sympathomimetic agent which is used as a decongestant and appetite suppressant. It was commonly used in prescription and over-the-counter cough and cold preparations. In veterinary medicine, it is used to control urinary incontinence in dogs (kls related to neutering).. Wikipedia
How to manage urinary incontinence, wheelchair features, care resources for owners.
22/08/2020
The beginning of great pug information from AARV. Thank you Dr. Tari Kern!
Pugmyelopathy.com
Check out this transformation update photo! Nacho has been coming to see the Integrative Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine team since March for "Fat Camp" as well as to increase his mobility and strengthen his hind end. He weighed 26.8 lbs last week (35lbs originally) and went for a 3 mile hike last week! We’ve got some fun videos to share so keep your eyes peeled for more Nacho fun! 👏🎉🙌🐾
06/08/2020
Hope you can open and see the article. More info on osteoarthritis (OA). Older pugs have arthritis. It is NOT Pug Myelopathy (PM), but it accompanies PM because the pug is aging and stress on his front end doing all the movement causes pain from arthritis. Thus most mature pugs should probably receive the 4 pllars of OA , glucosamine (Dasaquin or Cosaquin), omega-3 (green lip mussel) and a low dose of NSAIDS (Galliprant). Adequan injections are very good too. Talk to your veterinarian about appropriate supplements.
https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/purina-oa?oly_enc_id=4892A2496578E4X
Purina OA
17/07/2020
Are these new infograms helpful? Thank you for sharing them! We are posting on instagram and twitter too!
17/07/2020
PugMyelopathy.com
05/07/2020
This is why we need to beat Pug Myelopathy and all spinal disease. Every pug deserves a life like this. Please participate in the Purdue study.
http://pugrearataxiaparalysis.com/purdue-genetics-study.html
https://www.facebook.com/92252229877/posts/10158245885714878/?vh=e
13/06/2020
Excellent presentation by one of the neurologists with advanced comprehension of Pug Myelopathy, the lesions involved, and making informed choices for surgical management. The presentation does not start for 3 min into the video. https://www.facebook.com/neurologyforvets/videos/685480558703754/
09/06/2020
Pug Myelopathy affects Urination
PugMyelopathy.com
Also please read 3 articles on this page and Expressing the Bladder in Wheelie Pugs FILES.
http://pugrearataxiaparalysis.com/pug-care-knowledge.html
03/06/2020
Another good bladder expression reference. Will add to our FILES document reference too.
21/05/2020
Excellent presentation by one of the neurologists with advanced comprehension of Pug Myelopathy, the lesions involved, and making informed choices for surgical management. The presentation does not start for 3 min into the video. https://www.facebook.com/neurologyforvets/videos/685480558703754/
21/05/2020
My pug was just diagnosed with Pug Myelopathy! What do I do first??? pugmyelopathy.com
15/05/2020
Here is a good article to support home physical therapy.
https://caninearthritis.org/article/therapeutic-exercise-key-principles/?inf_contact_key=bdc29e147e9a44e2186bfd94ea885d7a
The benefits of a therapeutic exercise program If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, your veterinarian will likely tell you to make sure they get regular exercise. Exercise, including walking, is a great way to help strengthen your dog’s …
13/05/2020
PugMyelopathy.com
04/05/2020
The way to start locating a healthy pug puppy. Not foolproof but a good beginning:
https://www.ofa.org/be-informed-about-your-puppys-health
Understanding and being educated on your puppy's health is extremely important for pet owners. Learn more about verifying your health testing.
19/04/2020
PET INSURANCE Summary
A very useful summary thanks to the Am Assoc of Rehabilitation Veterinarians
http://www.rehabvets.org/_docs/AARV-Pet-Insurance-Summary-070119.pdf
19/04/2020
An initial informational post from PugMyelopathy.com
09/04/2020
PET INSURANCE Summary
A very useful summary thanks to the Am Assoc of Rehabilitation Veterinarians
http://www.rehabvets.org/_docs/AARV-Pet-Insurance-Summary-070119.pdf
02/04/2020
This a good case report regarding cervical IVDD in an aging purebred pug. Pugs can often develop neck disc problems when they reach advanced age. Often this is completely unrelated to the symptoms and lesions of thoracic Pug Myelopathy that may have developed in the rear legs years before. Unlike Pug Myelopathy that is believed to be painless, neck lesions from IVDD and arthritis can be very painful. Often there are new neurological deficits in the front legs that are incorrectly associated with Degenerative Myelopathy. Degenerative Myelopathy is very rare in purebred pugs and very few cases have been correctly diagnosed at necropsy. Another great contribution by Dr. Michael Wong Dvm.
16/02/2020
Join Wheelie Pugs!
01/02/2020
A reminder it is almost heartworm check time! Get an extra vial of blood for the genetics study!
http://pugrearataxiaparalysis.com/purdue-genetics-study.html
Purdue genetics study to find genes associated with purebred pug spinal disease.
28/01/2020
Pug Dog Health - Rear Ataxia/Paralysis Pug Myelopathy We will be in Vegas next month!
http://grumblecity.com/
THE THIRD ANNUAL VEGAS PUG PARTY IS HAPPENING FEBRUARY 20TH-23RD, 2020 AT THE PLATINUM HOTEL! TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW HERE Please join our mailing list below to stay up to date on event details. You do not need to bring or own a pug to attend! Pug mixes and dogs that are used to attending pug m...
21/01/2020
SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF THORACOLUMBAR MYELOPATHY IN PUG DOGS WITH CONCURRENT ARTICULAR FACET DYSPLASIA
Great article from the neurology team at CVS referral (Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists and ChesterGates Veterinary Specialists) and Fitzpatrick referral (Fitzpatrick Referrals) looking at Pug presenting with thoracolumbar myelopathy and concurrent caudal articular process dysplasia. This study illustrates the benefit of using combined imaging modalities (MRI and CT) for surgical planning. In addition to the articular facet dysplasia, these dogs were classified whether or not they were affected by either spinal arachnoid diverticulum, pia-arachnoid fibrosis and/or disc protrusion. All dogs were treated with either vertebral stabilization in isolation or with concurrent spinal cord decompression depending on which of the above categories they belong to.
For more details:https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/pdf/10.1055/s-0039-1692147.pdf
Enjoy the reading!
Laurent GAROSI
Simon Platt
15/01/2020
Very good information. Also keep a video diary of your dog over time.
11/01/2020
05/01/2020
If you are near Chicago attend this event!
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