How many times have you been to a vet clinic thinking – I have so many questions and things to ask the vet today! And on the way home, realise that you didn’t ask half the things you wanted to? When you’re in an unfamiliar environment with your furbaby, it can be quite stressful. I do the same thing on the way home from a doctor’s appointment. To help you out, we’ve prepared a list of common questions to ask your vet about your pug!
Is my pug at a healthy weight?
Obesity is a worldwide problem not only in people but in pets too! As a vet, I hate breaking the news to you that your pug-baby is getting chubby. Studies have shown that dogs have longer lifespan just by keeping slim! So ask your vet whether your pug at a healthy weight? If no, they can discuss healthy diet options and formulate an exercise plan for you!
Is your pug overweight? Learn how to tell and what to do!
Does my pug need a blood test?
With each visit, your veterinarian performs a thorough exam of your pug. They examine, feel and sometimes listen to each body part – which allows us to understand how they are doing overall. Even though a physical exam is the most important diagnostic tool, there are simply problems we cannot identify from the outside – such as organ functions.
This is when a blood test comes in handy. Normally for my own dog, I perform a blood test before any sedation or general anaesthetic and yearly full blood test now that he is a geriatric dog (>7yrs).
How are my pug’s teeth?
Dental disease is the most common disease we see in a vet practice – 80% of adult dogs are affected by the time they reach 3 years old! As a brachycephalic breed – dogs with adorably squished face – pugs are predisposed to dental disease.
Ask your vet to check your pug’s teeth. Depending on the severity of the dental disease, he/she may suggest dental scale and polish under general anaesthetic. It is also very important to practice good daily routine dental care like brushing, dental chews, mouth rinse and dental diet.
Are my pugs nails too long?
Untrimmed nails causes more trouble than they’re worth having – it can get caught on things and rip out, it can curl and grow into the toe pads, etc. Ask your veterinarian if your pug’s nails are too long. If yes, a veterinary staff can show you how to clip nails without hurting your furbabies and what to do if you accidentally clip it too short at home.
Does my pug have an ear infection?
Unfortunately, pugs are predisposed to ear infection – amongst many things! Ear infection is an overgrowth of bacteria and or yeast in the ear canal. Lots of things can cause this to happen – foreign body, food allergy, water in the ears to name a few. All of these causes the “microenvironment” in the ear canal to shift in favour of the bacteria and yeast reproduction.
Once your furbaby has had ear infection a few times, you can easily pick up the signs at home: itchy ears, smelly ears, Vegemite-like discharge in the ears etc. But initially, it might be hard to pick up. So ask your vet how their ears are looking! Your vets can also show you how to clean their ears appropriately using the correct ear cleaning solution.
Bonus Content: watch how a vet recommends you to clean your pug’s ears!
Don’t miss part 2 of our 10 questions to ask your vet about your pug plus a free download!
My Vet Animal Hospital
Latest posts by My Vet Animal Hospital (see all)
- How to Care for Your Senior Pug - May 21, 2018
- 10 Questions to Ask Your Vet About Your Pug Part 2 - April 2, 2018
- 10 Questions to Ask Your Vet About Your Pug Part 1 - March 26, 2018
- The Problem with Anal Glands in Pugs - February 12, 2018
- Is Your Pug Overweight? How to Tell + What to Do - January 22, 2018
