Pug Itchy Anus: Understanding Anal Gland Issues in Pugs

April 1, 2023 by emilyreviews Leave a Comment

If you’re a pug owner, you may have noticed your furry friend scratching their butt or scooting their bottom on the carpet. While it may seem like a silly behavior, it could be a sign of anal gland issues. Pugs are prone to anal gland problems, which can cause discomfort, irritation, and even infection if left untreated. In this post, we’ll discuss the causes of itchy butt in pugs, signs that your pug needs their anal glands expressed, why your pug is scratching their butt, and why they’re scooting their bottom on the carpet.

Causes of itchy butt in pugs

Pugs have two small glands located on each side of the anus, which produce a foul-smelling liquid that helps with marking and lubrication. These glands are supposed to empty naturally when a pug defecates, but sometimes they can become impacted or infected. Some common causes of anal gland issues in pugs include a poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and genetic predisposition.

Anal gland problems are the primary reason why dogs experience an itchy butt, but other causes include fleas, allergies and parasites.

Signs that your pug needs their anal glands expressed

If your pug is experiencing anal gland issues, they may exhibit signs such as scooting their bottom on the carpet, licking or biting their anus, and scratching their butt. You may also notice a swollen anus or a foul odor coming from the area. If left untreated, anal gland problems can lead to abscesses, infections, and even rupture of the glands.

Why is my pug scratching his butt?

Itchy anus is a common symptom of anal gland issues in pugs. Your pug may scratch their butt or chew their paws in an attempt to relieve the discomfort. Anal glands are located near the sides of the rectum, so that will be the area that your dog is trying to scratch if anal glands are the issue.

If your pug is trying to scratch above or around their tail, that is more likely to be fleas or other issues.

It’s important to address the underlying issue by taking your pug to the veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Why is my pug scooting their bottom on the carpet?

Scooting is another common behavior exhibited by pugs with anal gland issues. Your pug may drag their bottom on the carpet or ground in an attempt to express the impacted glands. However, this can further irritate the anus and lead to complications. If you notice your pug scooting, take them to the vet for an evaluation.

Anal gland issues can cause discomfort and irritation for your pug. If you notice your pug scratching their butt, scooting, or exhibiting other signs of anal gland problems, it’s important to take them to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment. A vet can express the glands manually or prescribe medication to help the glands empty naturally. With proper care, you can help your pug avoid complications and enjoy a happy, healthy life.

How to prevent pug anal gland issues

Add more fiber to their diet: One of the main reasons pugs can develop anal gland problems is due to their diet. A lack of fiber can cause their stools to be too soft, making it harder for the anal glands to be emptied naturally. You can add fiber to their diet by feeding them vegetables such as pumpkin or green beans.
Keep their weight in check: Overweight pugs are more prone to developing anal gland problems, so it’s important to keep them at a healthy weight. Feeding them a balanced diet and providing regular exercise can help with this.
Regularly clean their rear end: Keeping your pug’s rear end clean can help prevent blockages from occurring in their anal glands. You can do this by using unscented baby wipes or a damp cloth to gently wipe their rear end after they go to the bathroom.
Consider expressing their anal glands regularly: Some pugs may need to have their anal glands expressed manually on a regular basis to prevent blockages from occurring. Your veterinarian can show you how to do this safely and effectively.
Monitor for signs of anal gland problems: Keep an eye out for signs that your pug may be experiencing anal gland issues, such as scooting their bottom on the ground or excessive licking of their rear end. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to have their anal glands checked by a veterinarian.

By following these tips, you can help prevent anal gland problems in your pug and ensure that they stay healthy and comfortable.

When should we go to the vet for itchy pug anus?

If your pug is experiencing persistent itching, redness, swelling, discharge, or pain around their anus, it’s essential to take them to the vet. Additionally, if your pug is scooting their bottom on the floor, licking or biting their anus excessively, or having trouble defecating, it could be a sign of anal gland problems or other health issues that require veterinary attention.

It’s also crucial to keep up with your pug’s regular check-ups and grooming routine. During their veterinary exam, your vet can check your pug’s anal glands and express them if necessary. Regular grooming, including keeping your pug’s coat and skin clean and dry, can also help prevent anal gland problems by reducing the risk of bacterial and fungal infections.

If you notice any changes in your pug’s behavior or symptoms related to their anus, it’s best to seek veterinary care promptly. Early detection and treatment of anal gland problems can prevent more severe health issues down the line and ensure your pug stays happy and healthy.

Why is Your Pug Constantly Gagging? Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

March 22, 2023 by emilyreviews Leave a Comment

Why your pug is hacking, coughing or gagging

Possible causes of coughing, hacking, and gagging in pugs include environmental irritants, allergies, dental problems, heartworm disease, tracheal collapse, and kennel cough.

Hacking, coughing, and gagging in pugs can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from minor issues to more serious health concerns. Here are some possibilities to consider:

Environmental factors: Is your pug exposed to second-hand smoke, air pollution, or other environmental irritants? These can all cause respiratory issues that can lead to coughing, hacking, and gagging.
Allergies: Just like humans, dogs can have allergies to things like pollen, dust, and certain foods. These allergies can cause coughing and gagging, as well as other symptoms like itching and sneezing.
Dental problems: Dental issues like tooth decay or gum disease can lead to coughing and gagging as your pug tries to clear their throat.
Heartworm disease: This is a serious health concern that can lead to coughing, hacking, and gagging, among other symptoms. If your pug is not on a regular heartworm prevention medication, this could be a possibility.
Tracheal collapse: This is a condition that is common in pugs and can cause coughing, gagging, and even difficulty breathing. It occurs when the rings of cartilage in the trachea weaken and collapse.
Kennel cough: This is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause coughing, hacking, and gagging, among other symptoms.

Why some senior pugs gag more as they get older

Senior pugs may gag more as they get older due to respiratory infections, weakened immune systems, dental problems, or tracheal collapse. Obesity can exacerbate issues. Regular check-ups, a healthy diet, and love can help them feel their best.

Just like us humans, our adorable pugs also experience some changes as they get older. One of the most common issues that senior pugs may face is increased gagging or coughing. This can be due to a variety of reasons, including respiratory infections, allergies, or even heart disease. Additionally, older pugs may be more likely to develop dental problems, such as gum disease or tooth decay, which can lead to inflammation and discomfort in the mouth and throat.

Another factor that may contribute to increased gagging in senior pugs is a weakened immune system. As a pug ages, their immune system may become less effective at fighting off infections and other health issues. This can make them more vulnerable to respiratory and gastrointestinal problems that can cause gagging.

Furthermore, as pugs age, they may become less active and more prone to weight gain. Obesity can exacerbate respiratory and gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to increased gagging.

Tracheal collapse is a condition that can affect many senior pugs and cause them to gag more frequently. This happens when the rings of cartilage in the trachea become weakened, leading to the collapse of the tracheal walls and making it more difficult for air to flow through. This can result in coughing, gagging, and difficulty breathing.

But don’t worry, with proper care and management, many senior pugs can still live happy and healthy lives! Regular check-ups with your veterinarian, a healthy diet, and plenty of love and attention can go a long way in keeping your senior pug feeling their best.

How to reduce gagging in pugs

To reduce gagging in pugs, ensure a high-quality diet, use a slow-feed bowl if eating too fast, keep them hydrated, limit over-excitement during playtime, schedule regular vet check-ups, and use a harness instead of a collar.

Here are some tips to help reduce gagging in your furry friend:

Check their diet: Pugs are known for having sensitive stomachs, so it’s important to make sure they’re eating a high-quality diet that agrees with them. Avoid feeding them table scraps or anything that could upset their tummy.
Slow their intake: Pugs can be little pigs who don’t know their own limits. They can eat too fast causing themselves to gag. If this is happening, consider purchasing a slow-feed bowl.
Keep them hydrated: Dehydration can lead to gagging and other health issues, so make sure your pug always has access to fresh water. You can even add some low-sodium chicken broth to their water to make it more appealing.
Avoid over-excitement: Pugs are notoriously excitable, but too much excitement can lead to gagging or even vomiting. Keep playtime and exercise sessions short and sweet to avoid triggering a gag reflex.
Get regular check-ups: Regular visits to the vet can help catch any potential health issues before they become serious. Your vet can also give you tips on how to reduce gagging in your pug and recommend any necessary treatments.
Use a harness, not collar: Pugs are brachycephalic dogs, which means they have a shortened airway that can make breathing difficult. Using a harness instead of a collar reduces pressure on their neck and make breathing easier.

With these tips in mind, you’ll hopefully be able to reduce gagging in your pug and keep them happy and healthy. Remember, if you’re ever unsure about your pug’s health, always consult with a veterinarian for professional advice.

When to go to the vet for coughing or gagging

If your dog’s coughing or gagging persists for more than a few days, if they’re lethargic or losing their appetite, or if they’re displaying other symptoms like wheezing or difficulty breathing, go to the vet.

It can be tough to know when your dog’s cough is just a minor annoyance or a sign of something more serious.

While coughing and gagging can be caused by a variety of factors, there are a few red flags that indicate it might be time for a trip to the vet. Here are a few things to look out for:

Frequency and duration: If your dog’s coughing or gagging persists for more than a few days, or if it’s happening frequently throughout the day, it’s probably time to see a vet.
Changes in behavior: Is your dog acting lethargic, losing their appetite, or avoiding playtime? These could all be signs that something is not right, and a trip to the vet might be necessary.
Other symptoms: Are you noticing any other symptoms, like fever, wheezing, or difficulty breathing? These are all indications that there could be an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed.
Age and breed: Some breeds are more prone to respiratory issues than others, and age can also be a factor. If your dog is a senior or has a history of respiratory problems, it’s especially important to be vigilant about coughing and gagging.

Of course, every dog is different, and it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to their health. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s always a good idea to reach out to your vet for guidance.

Pug Diapers

September 30, 2022 by emilyreviews Leave a Comment

Why Are You Considering Diapers?

If you’re looking to use diapers 24/7 to keep your incontinent dog from making a mess in your house, please learn about expressing the bladder and/or bowels instead. Helping them express should be your #1 priority when caring for an incontinent dog.

I do give diaper advice lower in this post, but I hope you’ll learn to express your pug’s bladder first if they have ongoing incontinence. Diapers may be helpful if your dog leaks urine despite being expressed regularly. I’ve also heard of people using diapers on their dogs if they were going to be left home alone for a few hours and unable to express at their regular times.

Some use diapers on female pugs that are in heat. There are various reasons why limited use of diapers makes sense. Please learn from my mistake though and don’t move to 24/7 diapers for your dogs.

Incontinence Doesn’t Mean Their Bladder Empties Regularly

This is extremely important to know – and I didn’t know until it was too late with both of my pugs. I learned it after they had passed. My vet had told me that as long as they were urinating regularly they were fine. This isn’t the case. Dogs can urinate pretty regularly but still fail to truly empty their bladder.

If the bladder isn’t getting empty, it can lead to bladder stones, UTIs and other issues. Both of my dogs battled recurring UTI’s. When they would occur, they’d be uncomfortable until it was resolved. I could have avoided this discomfort if I knew to express them instead. For this reason, it’s better to learn to express your dogs bladder rather than rely on diapers to absorb what they leak.

People often think of incontinence as being the result of “worn out” bladder muscles, so they think that any urine that their body makes will just flow out. That isn’t how it works. Instead, the default for the bladder is to stay tightly closed, and we have to intentionally use muscles to relax the bladder to let urine out. So if the muscles get weak, or there is nerve damage or neurological issues…it’s common for the bladder to stay too closed and to only open when “over full”.

Join Wheelie Pugs

Incontinence is common in pugs who have something called puy myelopathy. My pug Frank had this, but our vet told us it was “similar to progressive arthritis”. She never gave us a real name for it. After Frank had passed, I came across the Wheelie Pugs facebook group. This is an awesome group for pugs who have mobility issues, incontinence and more. The group is owned by a vet who has studied a lot about pug mobility issues, and pug myelopathy in particular. This is a conditioner that is unique to the pug breed and most vets are not very familiar with it…so having this Facebook group as a resource can be invaluable.

There are resources in this group to assist with learning how to express your dog’s bladder or bowels, to learn about how to slow your dogs mobility progression, how to get a well-fitting cart (wheelchair) for disabled dogs and more. With mobility issues, you don’t want to wait until your dog can’t walk before looking into getting them help. If you see any wobbliness or weakness in their rear legs, join now.

Belly bands for male pugs

We liked Teamoy Belly Bands for our pug Frank. The size L1 fit him well. These weren’t as bulky as some other belly bands that we had tried from other brands. We used human Incontinence Gaurds inside of the belly bands. These are similar to feminine pads, but more absorbent and larger which worked well inside the belly bands.

I tried dog diapers and baby/toddler diapers on Frank, but none were a good fit. The closest fit was 4/5T pull-ups, but even these were too small. They would cover his backside, but they wouldn’t go high enough on his belly to catch his urine when he peed.

How To Keep Diapers On A Female Pug

For my female pug, we found that pull-on diapers or pull-on training pants fit well. I preferred the Pampers brand over Huggies/Pull-Up brands because the pampers pull on diapers and “easy ups” have elastic along the sides, which helped them stay on my dogs hips. Here is beans in a 2-3T easy ups.

I later learned that the Pampers 360 diapers are basically extra-small training pants, and those fit Beans a bit better than the 2/3T did. On occasion, the 2/3T easy-ups would gap around her thighs so urine could leak out. With the size 4 pull-on diapers, they fit snug without being too tight.

Beans was good about leaving her diaper alone, but it wouldn’t stay up on its own very well. To keep it on, we had her wear a harness and then used children’s suspenders (or later, children’s mitten clips) to clip the diaper to the harness. The pink part is the suspenders, the purple straps are these mitten clips. The mitten clips worked better than the suspenders so we eventually moved to just using mitten clips and taking the suspenders off.

Sources:

http://pugrearataxiaparalysis.com/ditch-diapers-express.html

Does Your Pug Have An Upset Stomach?

September 23, 2022 by emilyreviews 1 Comment

No pug owner ever wants their dog to feel unwell…but the reality of owning a dog is they are likely to have an upset stomach at some time or another. Most of the time an upset stomach is something you can manage at home and won’t last too long.

Signs That Your Pug May Have An Upset Stomach

Hard or loose stools. Especially if this is outside of their normal experience.
Vomiting.
Asking to go outside frequently and trying to go #2.
Pooping more or less often than usual.
Strange noises (gurgling or bubbling sounds) coming from their belly.
Stomach growling sounds even if they have eaten relatively recently.
Excessive flatulence.
Really strong flatulence.
Eating grass.
Excess saliva.

Causes Of Upset Stomach In Pugs

There are many potential causes of upset stomachs in pugs and other dogs. Here are some of the more common ones though.

Changing diet too rapidly. When dogs get used to a specific food, it can be a shock to their system if you completely change foods on them overnight. To avoid this, change foods very gradually. For example, use 75% of the old food, and 25% of a new food for a while, then a 50/50 mix, then a 25/75 mix, etc.

Table scraps. Dogs bellies can be thrown off if they get access to human foods that they don’t usually have. Many human foods are not suitable for dogs (too spicy, too greasy, etc) and may upset their stomachs.

Allergies or intolerances. In my opinion, too many people assume allergies for their dogs. A banfield pet study showed that just .2% of dogs have food allergies. Yet, if you go to any pet themed group and reference food allergies, you’ll find that lots of pet owners believe their dogs have allergies. Meaning in most cases when people think their dog has a food allergy, they probably don’t. However, some do have food allergies and this can cause them an upset stomach if they eat something they have an allergy to.

Lack of fiber. Fiber helps keeps dogs regular, so if they are lacking fiber it can cause digestive trouble that can cause an upset stomach.

Some viruses.

Stress or anxiety.

Medication side effects. If your dog is on any medications, google the prescription name to see if nausea or other digestive symptoms are side effect.

Ingesting something harmful. Household cleaners, pest control substances, and many other substances can cause stomach upset in dogs if consumed.

Swallowing a non-food item. If your dog has swallowed part of a dog toy, an animal bone, rawhide, etc it can cause a partial (or full) blockage which can upset their stomach. If the item is too large his can be an emergency.

Motion sickness from traveling in a vehicle or similar.

Trapped gas. If your dog needs to burp or fart, that trapped gas in their tummy can cause upset until it finds a way out.

How To Help Your Pug With An Upset Stomach

Have them fast for at least 6 hours. This is recommended if your dog has vomitted or had diarrhea. It essentially resets their digestive system by letting it empty before adding anything new in.

Try feeding plain chicken and rice as their first meal after the fast. This is the dog version of having butter-toast after having a stomach bug. Chicken and rice are bland foods that are easy on the stomach for most dogs. Another option would be turkey and pure pumpkin, as those are also easy on the stomach.

If the bland diet goes well, feed that for a couple of meals, then slowly reintroduce their regular dog food. Go slowly, such as a 75% bland, 25% kibble mix, for a meal or two, then 50/50, then 25/75, before finally having them go back to just their dog food.

Try a dog probiotic if your dog regularly has tummy trouble. Sometimes dogs struggle to keep the right amount of healthy bacteria in their digestive system on their own, and probiotics can help.

When An Upset Stomach Needs Vet Care

If your pug is losing weight due to their stomach problems
If your dog has chronic diarrhea or constipation
Blood in their stool
Blood in their vomit
If they’ve consumed something harmful
If they’ve swallowed a non-food item.
If they’re panting, whining/crying or otherwise showing signs of pain.