I am still debating with myself regarding having this procedure done on my 5 year old Pug. Id love to hear from others who have gone this route if the procedure was a spectacular success or if you even noticed any improvement. My Pug starts to get real "throaty" on warmer days where she is extending herself. Once she gets like this we shut playtime down and relax our girls!
Replies
docand (9 months ago)
It's up to you.... I had a 9 year old pug and had never had any corrective surgery done. She lived a good life with not many problems, until she contacted kennel cough which turned into pneumonia. She was on 2 very strong antibiotics, but due to her trachea being partially collapsed, an elongated pallet, PDE, and several other diseases, she never made it and passed away. I was VERY devastated. About a week after her death, I adopted another pug to help with the hole left in my heart. I told myself that Lexi, would have everything done that was needed for her to have a normal life. The first thing I did was to get her checked out by a vet( by the way, she was 4 1/2 years old at that time). They said her nose nares needed surgery and her pallet was elongated. Within a couple of weeks, I took to a different surgeon and had all the work done with a laser. I thought if she was going to feel miserable, it might as well be all done at once. She came through very well but was a little groggy when we picked her up. It was a same day surgery. I was surprised that she ate when she got home. We had a can of wet food that she ate. Just be sure to watch so your pugger doesn't choke due to lack of feeling in their throat. Her nose didn't look very good but what could we expect. We watched, the next few days, so she didn't get infection in her nose. Within a couple of days, she was back to her normal self. Now she doesn't snore, only if she is very tired, and she breaths much easier. I hope I helped you out, and anyone else that is thinking of the surgery. If you have any questions, ask and I'll see if I can answer them. Laser surgery is the only way to go. It seals the nerve ends and blood vessels that are cut. It's also less painful after and re-coop time is minimal. Good Luck! ....................Doc and Lexi
Ushagrace (9 months ago)
Thanksdoc, I found this very informative! Usha
jmbeam (9 months ago)
docand, are you really a Vet? I spoke to the lead tech that helped with my Pug Lily's dental surgery. SHe felt unless it drastically affected her to not look into any other surgery. Beleive me money is tight as Hell and Im not LOOKING to do surgery. I just want whats best for pet!
If I bring her to a surgeon most likely they will say she needs surgery. Surgeons like to cut and if they cant then they dont want to speak to you much longer. I just want to have all my facts in front of me then make the decision. I most likely would have to take out a loan to pay for the surgery.
z28susan (9 months ago)
Our puppy Jake just had elongated palate surgery and nares surgery (along with being fixed and his last puppy tooth pulled) about 2 months ago. The difference in his breathing was AMAZING! He no longer struggled to breathe. Our family vet said that without the surgery he would have died. He still has some breathing problems due to a very small trachea and nasal passage (not much they can do for that). We try to keep him as cool as possible and he knows his limits to running around and playing. He is still just a puppy (9 months) so he just gets little spurts of energy here and there and then takes a rest until he's ready to go again. Money was pretty tight for us also but we were able to finance it through Care Credit and we are making monthly payments which is easier than dropping that big chunk of change all at once. I definitely recommend the surgery because you just never know what could happen without getting it done. Good luck!
docand (9 months ago)
I am not a vet, but just concerned about pug issues and don't want others to learn the hard way that I did in having to loose their pug to not knowing. My nick-name "Doc", came from my skills and was my trade-name. It has followed me throughout and past retirement. Don't take my words for the answer, they are only ideas. You have to do the research and than make the decision. Good Luck! Doc and Lexi
docand (9 months ago)
jmbeam, if you get the surgery done by laser, it should cost between $400.-$700. As with any medical procedure, anytime you use a anesthesia, there is a danger. This is why it's important to have someone that knows the breed and what to look for. That is also why to get whatever surgery is needed done at the same time. Lexi had the nose nares and pallet taken care of at the same time, than months later a dental and six teeth pulled
, than a few months later, two cysts in her mouth removed along with another tooth. The surgeon and tech that do the work are special people and know how much Lexi means to me. When I brought her in for the last surgery, the surgeon's daughter (11 yr.old), wanted to be Lexi's special nurse and take care of her. She took her leash and would walk her around and play with her, before the surgery. Than she went in, while it was being done, to comfort her. Lexi has special people watching over her. You may not find someone with this much compassion, but find someone that cares and your pug isn't just a number, than stick with them. It doesn't hurt to have different opinions. Good Luck and keep us posted as to what you're going to do........Doc and Lexi
KatB (9 months ago)
I agree with everything Docand said. And with the nares?? It only looks funny for a short while. When it is healed, you won't notice and difference in appearance. I have only had nares done on two of my pugs, and one Jap Chin, didn't have the others. And I can say having the nares done was a big help with breathing as well. With the anesthesia? It is scary. I would make sure a blood panel is done before the surgery, and a good checkup. Make sure that your vet is aware of the dangers with braci. dogs.
jmbeam (9 months ago)
Hey Doc could you tell me the name of the center you used for the surgery? I was quoted $2500-$3000 at Cornell. Obviously I would like to give Lil the best care I can but I just dont have that kind of money with all the money I have to come up with for my back surgery. To be honest and maybe its because Cornell is so high but $400-$700 seems so low. Does this Vet have the proper equipment to put a Pug under with as little risk as possible?If you would rather tell me privately I can put my email address down in another reply. Thanks
docand (9 months ago)
No problem! First, how close are you to Minnesota?( I checked your profile and no state named)
I have recommended Dr.Pete to quite a few pet owners for surgery. He also done a cyst on my Old English Bull grand-dog. He was also used by another PugSpot member with very good success. I know that their are good surgeons around you, you just have to hunt. Check with your local rescue and call their referrals. Start calling around to different surgeons to see if they use laser and are familiar with pugs. When I found Dr.Pete, I used the yellow pages and started calling. I do know the surgeons in big cities and the universities charge an awful lot of money. Most vets don't have the laser equipment due to the expense. You have to remember at Cornell, that they teach medicine and have the latest and greatest equipment. If you feel alright about traveling to Minnesota than I will give you the phone number of Dr.Pete's office. I know you wouldn't be impressed by his little vet clinic if you just visited, but it isn't just the tools you use, it's how you use them.........Doc
jmbeam (9 months ago)
Thanks Doc, yes we are a bit away in Upstate NY near Canada. I think I will call the rescue this week and then start checking with Vets and the equipment they have. There are some that have tools so old one has to laugh. When I had a Lab years ago, he lost an eye due to a fast moving Glaucoma. He brought out this tool made out of copper in the the 30"s I think. It was supposed to measure eye pressure. I said to the Vet Are you kidding me? He seemed a bit embarrassed. That is how I started going to Cornell for difficult issues.
Alexsertu (4 months ago)
Interesting approach towards this. I’m curious to think what type of impact this would have globally? There are times when things like this begin to have global expansion and frustration. I will be back soon and follow up with a response.
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Cricketsmom (2 months ago)
We had this done on our previous pug-- and are considering doing it again on our current pug. We had it done at Michigan State Univ vet clinic. They also widened her nostrils. She was only one at the time. Recovery was about 2-3 days. Afterwards she could run at the dog park for 3/4 of a mile with no wheezing or anything! She kept up with our lab with no problems at all. Although worried beforehand, we thought it was well worth it afterwards. Our previous girl never had a single problem post surgery. Our current girl chokes a lot, after eating, after barking, and we are having her evaluated soon.
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