WELL, IT FINALLY HAPPENED, I GOT A NEW PUG. WE SAW AN AD IN A PAPER AND THE LADY HAD 3 YOUNG PUGS FOR ONLY $200.00 EACH. MY BEST FRIEND, WHO OWND 3 PUGS OF HER OWN, WENT WITH ME. I WANTED ANOTHER GIRL, SO I CHOOSE THE LARGER OF THE TWO FEMALES THAT WERE THERE. SHE WAS EATING AND DRINKING ON HER OWN, THE MOTHER PUG HAD NOT WANTED TO NURSE ANYMORE AND I WAS UNEASY ABOUT LEAVING HER THERE. SHE WENT HOME WITH US THAT DAY. (8 days ago) SHE APPEARED TO BE A BIT WOBBELY ( is that a word?) BUT PERHAPS SHE WOULD OUT GROW IT.
THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE VET, THEY SET UP AN APPTN. FOR THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST, SINCE SHE HAD ALREADY HAD HER FIRST SET OF SHOTS. BY SUNDAY, MY HUSBAND AND I NOTICED THAT SHE COULD RUN PRETTY GOOD, BUT SHE WOULD LITERALLY FALL OVER IF SHE STOPPED. AT TIMES SHE WOULD TURTLE UP AND ROLL OVER, FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO MANUVER HER HIND LEGS. ANOTHER APPT WAS FINALLY MADE OFR THID AFTERNOON.
THE VET DAID THAT HE THINKD THAT SHE MAY HAVE WATER ON THE BRAIN, OR A BRAIN STEM INJURY, BUT NO WAY TO TELL WHAT IT IS WITHOUT A CT SCAN. OUT OF THE QUESTION, HE GAVE ME SOME PREDNISONE AND AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, HE FOUND THAT PRILOSEC (YUP, the stuff for our heartburn) SHOULD HELP WITH THE SWELLING AND ANY EXTRA FLUID FROM RUSHING UP TO HER BRAIN.
I WILL NOT GIVE HER UP, MY HUSBAND SAYS THAT WE HAVE A SPECIAL LITTLE BABY. SHE IS A LOVER AND HER BIG SISTER, TANZIE LOVES HER SO MUCH.
I GUESS WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS, HAS ANYONE ELSE BEEN THOUGH SOMETHING LIKE THIS?
ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
AND NO IT IS NOT ENCEPHILITIS, OR ANY OTHER ISSUE, PER THE VET. THANK YOU PUG LOVERS.
Replies
Lihuesue (almost 3 years ago)
Why is a cat scan out of the question? If it serves the purpose of finding out what's going on with your baby, why not?
tanziesmom (almost 3 years ago)
MY HUSBAND JUST LOST HIS JOB, RIGHT AFTER GETTING THE NEW BABY.. AND I WOULD HAVE TO TRAVEL TO A LARGE CITY AND THE COST IS MORE THAN WE COULD HANDLE. THE VET UNDERSTOOD AND HE IS TRYING ALL HE CAN WITHOUT EXTRA COSTS INCURRED TO US AT THIS TIME.
RosienMikeysMom (almost 3 years ago)
i'm so sorry about your new baby and your husband's situation. have you contacted the breeder? maybe she would consider putting money toward the cat scan. i would think she would want to know and might even know if the pup had an injury or something. if there is a vet school in your area, and you explain the situation, maybe they can help out. did your vet give you any prognosis?
Lihuesue (almost 3 years ago)
Sorry to hear about your husband's situation. I do feel for you because I was in the same position just a short time ago. I live in western WA and I lost my job too. I was just starting my 1st extension on unemployment when my 8 year old Pug girl needed an expensive elongated soft palate surgery. I didn't have the extra $2600 for this... and like you, I had to drive to the Seattle area a couple of times, once to find and talk to a surgeon, again to talk to another surgeon (who did the surgery), the day of the surgery (I stayed over night at a local hotel because making the 3 hour drive each way was just too much for me to do back to back) and again for her two week check-up.
Someone either on here or another puggie site told me about CareCredit.com and CitiBankCitiHealth. My surgeon accepted CareCredit. I didn't think I would be approved, since I wasn't working, but I was and for more than my Pugs surgery cost. I still have to pay the entire amount, but I have six months to pay without any interest. My surgeon accepted the 6 month and 24 month plan. Each doctor is different on what they will accept and which plans. It's just another idea for you to get your furbaby the help she needs. You can also use the CareCredit for dentist and any other doctor that accepts it. I'm going to use mine for my dentist just after I pay of my lil furbaby's surgery. I'll be able to pay her balance in the next two months. I was such a relief to be able to spread the $2600 over 6 months. You don't have to pay equal payments each month either... as long as you pay the minium balance and have it paid in full by 6 months. no interest is charged. One month I paid $200, the next I was able to pay $500 and so on... I have a small balance now that I will be able to pay before any fees incur.
I also started a short term job in May which is helping too. It was only supposed to last until this month, but I've been extended though Septemeber... I hope I get to stay longer too!
I agree with RosienMikeysMom about contacting the breeder, if there's something in the blood lines, she probably should not breed them again.
I would ask your vet and ask where he would suggest you go, call the place and ask if the accept CareCredit or CitiBankCityHealth and about the approximate cost of a cat scan. At least then you know what you are dealing with and see if you would be able to work this into your budget.
pugsly (almost 3 years ago)
Tanziesmom... We are happy that you finally got a second puggie and are so sorry to hear she is not well. It's heart breaking when our babies are ill. Sending prayers that Emma will recover very soon we are all pulling for you and baby Emma.
Sending positive thoughts your way and give that little girl a big kiss on her sweet little puggie face for us.
Pugsly and the boys.
tanziesmom (almost 3 years ago)
Well, I called the breeder, and I received an "AWHHHH!".
I explained what the vet had said and explained that perhaps she should not continue to breed that dame until she gets checked out as well.
when I spike with the vet, he seemed optimistic in wht he had given us for Emma and wht meds she will be taking. I will check out if there is a vet school closeby and if we do need to have a ct scan, perhaps I can make payments.
Right now, we are going with the flow and know that she is a happy and loving puggie. She may get better or may not, but it is what she will know as normal for her.
Seizures are not an issue at this time and may never be. her heart is sound and her tail wags repeatedly for long periods of time which is accompnied by lengthy periods of licks and kisses.
We are trying to keep a positive note about Emma's health issues. She doesn't seem to mind, but it still breaks our hearts.
Thank you for all your prayers and pug kisses.
If anyone has come accross something like this, please let me know. thank you.
P.S. Tanzie just loves the heck out of her, there was noway she would have gone back. You can't replace a child and our pugs are our children.
KatB (almost 3 years ago)
I agree with RosenMikeysmom. Go back to the breeder and ask if they will help with the cost of the scan. Hope all works out for you and your little pugger. So sorry to hear things aren't well. Prayers comin your way. Keep us poted.
tanziesmom (almost 3 years ago)
I got a tex from the breeder asking for the vet's name and number. i gave it to her. i then called the vet and told them to expect a call from her. my husband is all for trying to have the ct scan and surgery if needed. i found a vet school in corvallis oregon, oregon state university, and am waiting for a return call to find out the costs and when they can scheduel appt.
hope things will be okay to get her in soon.
i'll keep you posted to what is happening.
thanks for the thoughts and prayers.
tanziesmom (almost 3 years ago)
Just got off the phone with the surgery tech from OSU Vet hospital in Oregon. Schedueled an appt. for Emma for tomorrow morning for a ct scan. and we will take it from there.
Prayers and pug kisses are welcome.
RosienMikeysMom (almost 3 years ago)
you and emma will be in our thoughts and we are hoping that everything works out tomorrow...if you can, please keep us updated. in the meantime, keep a good thought and sending you big hugs.
tanziesmom (almost 3 years ago)
Emma and the Hubby are off to the university for test. I'll keep you updated as I hear.
RosienMikeysMom (almost 3 years ago)
keeping fingers and paws crossed over here!
Lihuesue (almost 3 years ago)
Any News???
tanziesmom (almost 3 years ago)
Well, Emma has congenital birth defects. First, her liver is not working properly. All of the toxins bypass the liver and go directl onto her blood streem to her brain. They gave her meds and special food.Hopefully that will take care if it. Second, she has three vertibrae that are neat the base of her skull, that are deformed. Also, she has an elongated cerabellum.
The Drs want to get her toxns out of her body prior to anything else. then they will see where that leads us. the other problems are secondary to the amonia levels that she had in her little system.
I will get a call from them on Mon or Tues to let us know what the xrays show from her little skeleton.
thanks for all the support and prayers.
tanzie, sure did miss her little sis today. She looked everywhere for her and was very happy when they finally showed up nearly 12 hrs later.
I'll keep everyone posted on her recovery.
Thanks again.
Lihuesue (almost 3 years ago)
Did they mention a liver shunt? When puppers are born, there's a blood vessel that carries the blood around the liver instead of though it because the mother removes all of the toxins. Most of these close up shortly after birth and then the puppers liver goes to work. It is most likely hereditary when a shunt does not close shortly after birth. It can be fixed. It sounds really simple too... the surgeons use a constricting ring around this shunt and slowly it will tighten and close off the shunt and all of the blood will then be fowarded to the liver to remove the toxins. It's a serious operation but has great survival rates... Some do well with a special diet too. Sounds like your specialist knows what they are doing by wanting all of the toxins gone first. Hopefully, the special diet is all that well be needed.
I would gather all of the paperwork and send the breeder a copy. If it is a Portosystemic Shunt, no more breeding... that's just asking for problems. Any breeder worth anything would at least offer to replace your pup. I know you won't to that because you are already attached... I totally understand that... but at least they should chip in on the medical care you now need to give because of their breeding.
It is a serious situation, but one that has positive outcomes more so than other situations.
Please keep us posted. I read about this before on a different dog forum. There was a Rat Terrier that would have problems walking and having fits... it took them about 6 months to figure out what was wrong. She had the constricting ring put in and she's a perfectly healthy rattie now. No more episodes.
Mom2Pugs (almost 3 years ago)
Sending up prayers for Emma and family! I know Tanzie keeps her going! Pug hugs to all of you. Marti
tanziesmom (almost 3 years ago)
tanziesmom (almost 3 years ago)
The breeder won't even answer my phone calls.
Guess it doesn't surprise me.
Lihuesue (almost 3 years ago)
I'm glad Emma is doing better. It's amazing what happens when the toxins are lowered. Maybe she'll be on the special diet and meds until she gets bigger and stronger before any decision is made for surgery. Being on meds for life isn't all that bad... my Suli will be on eye meds for the rest of her life too... since she was three and she'll be nine next month. You do what you have to do to keep your furbabies feeling well.
Is that breeder a real business or just back yard type? If it is a business, I would hit the BBB and anyone else that would listen to me including your local government offices. At least you may be able to put an end to her selling puppies where they should have been tested and never bred.... and who knows, maybe you may even be able to get your monies returned to you. At the very least, if anyone asked where you got Emma, I wouldn't recommend that breeder and leave it at that...
tanziesmom (almost 3 years ago)
The instructor of the vet hospital called a little while ago. Emma has a normal brain!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!! Pug brains are not the same as other canines, ( YA THINK?) And her vertibrea will be okay. As for her liver, the vet will be calling us back after they determine whether or not surgery is the option they choose for her or if meds is the best treatment.
Emma is happy, running and jumping and bothering the HECK out of her big sissy. YEAH! Things are now normal on the PUG FRONT LINE!!!!!!!!
Thanks everyone. Just having you here makes a big difference.
LOVE AND KISSES TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU!!!!!
JanandSass (almost 3 years ago)
Dear TanziesMom, what a terrible time you have had. Thank God she is getting well cared for, you are a really supper pug mommie! Hope she doesn't require surgery, but it might fix her right up. Make sure you report that breeder, she sounds really unscrupulous. If you don't want the puppy replaced (because you love her), you should seek a lawyer to gain back some of the monies you have spent on your baby.
JB15 (11 months ago)
How is Tanzie doing? I just read your story, even thou it's been 2 years/ My heart has been touched!
docand (11 months ago)
JB15, Emma the pug went to the "Rainbow Bridge" on Sept.1. 2010. I haven't seen any posts from Tanziesmom in the last two years or since her passing away. My heart goes out for Tanziesmom. RIP Emma!
docand (11 months ago)
I'm sorry, I was wrong. I guess I should have done some more research. Tanziesmom, I apologize for answering the post. I too, read the story and it really touched my heart. Doc
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