Photo Credit: Blanca Clothier

Read below for more information regarding PDE, Pug Myelopathy, Hip Dysplasia, Luxating Patellas, and BOAS.

Pug Myelopathy

Pug Myelopathy is considered the most frequent cause of rear limb incoordination (ataxia) and progress to paralysis of the rear limbs over a period of one to four years. The rear legs appear to be weak, but the cause is a neurological deficit that develops in the spine. Affected dogs may initially drag their feet, stagger, have trouble jumping and can be fecal and urinary incontinent. It usually affects just the rear limbs, unlike a very different disease, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), which can have similar initial signs, but progresses tragically to complete paralysis and death. In Pug Myelopathy, we are learning there is usually a complex of spinal abnormalities that involve both the vertebral bones, and can also involve compression of the spinal cord. The compression can be caused by one (or multiple lesions) that include one or multiple sites of chronic Hansen type II intervertebral disc disease (IVDD); spinal arachnoid diverticulum (SAD); spinal cord atrophy; and fibrosis of the arachnoid layer of the meninges. Unraveling the relationships between these conditions is one goal of the research at Michigan State University funded by the Pug Dog Club of America.
Other names that refer to Pug myelopathy include “Pug constrictive myelopathy (CM)”, “facet hypoplasia”, “subarachnoid diverticulum (SAD)” and others. Although little is published about this condition, Pug Myelopathy may be the most common cause of mid-back spinal cord problems in Pugs.

Many veterinarians are not yet knowledgeable about this condition, as published information is not yet widely available. Pugs with rear limb ataxia may have had a previous diagnosis that was incomplete in light of this evolving information. Since so little is known, there is no consensus among neurologists about the best way to treat it. Surgery may be appropriate for individual cases, but it must be considered as soon as possible, after symptoms first occur, and may only delay progression of paralysis.
The most important palliative treatment appears to be consistent physical therapy using rehabilitation exercises to preserve muscle strength and enhance development of a spinal walk. Pugs affected with Pug Myelopathy are usually pain free and can lead excellent long lives with good nursing care. All senior Pugs require periodic wellness exams to detect and alleviate other problems of aging using medication and/or supplements. It is critical the Pug is carefully monitored for its ability to completely empty the urinary bladder several times a day. Several other well documented conditions in Pugs also cause symptoms of ataxia, including hemivertebrae (usually young dogs); acute sudden onset Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) or “slipped disc” – (usually painful); spinal cord tumors; and spinal arthritis in elder dogs. It is important to have your primary care veterinarian arrange a referral for your Pug for an examination by a board certified veterinary neurologist or surgeon when symptoms of ataxia first appear. ​

For More Information about Pug Myelopathy contact
Kathleen L. Smiler, DVM, DACLAM
PO Box 429
Lakeville, MI 48366
248-953-3182     FAX 248-751-5900
smilerk@mindspring.com
pugrearataxiaparalysis.com/  

Luxating Patellas

This involves the stifle or knee joint of many of the toy breeds and even some larger ones. The patella or kneecap usually rides up and down in a groove on the front of the knee. With this condition, the kneecap slides to the side (usually the inside) and the joint is unstable. When the kneecap is out, the dog may limp and carry the leg. The dog can often stretch his leg back and pop the patella back in himself. Some dogs are normal when young and develop this with age. Many dogs live their lives with this but some require surgery to deepen the groove and reposition the patella so it stays in place. One or both legs may be affected.

Hip Dysplasia

There are many factors, including genetics, environment and nutrition that contribute to this deformity of the hip joint. Research on larger breeds has shown that switching to adult food early in a puppy’s life (12 to 16 weeks), avoiding supplements and keeping the puppy thin as it is growing will minimize its chance of being affected. Even though many Pugs are affected, most are able to lead normal, healthy lives even with the problem, unlike some of the large and giant breeds, who require surgery to get around easily.

Brachycephalic Obstruction Airway Syndrome (BOAS)

This condition may occur if an individual pug’s airway is compromised by extreme breed characteristics in some of the anatomical parts of the respiratory system. Not all pugs are affected, but as a dog ages, these alterations may develop. All breeds characterized as brachycephalic, or flat faced, are working to address issues that contribute to the health problem referred to as Brachycephalic Syndrome, BAS, BOAS, and other acronyms that describe the disease condition. Breeds such as Bulldogs (English and French), Boston Terriers, Pugs, Pekinese, Shi Tzus,  and Lhasa Apsos, have been selectively bred for short muzzles. This desire for a flat face and foreshortened skull has resulted in the brachycephalic breeds having a plethora of primary anatomical abnormalities that compromise their ability to breathe. Veterinarians are faced with the challenge of ameliorating the quality of living for these compromised little dogs.
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