Allergies...

I think Daisy might have allergies, she was itching like crazy for a few weeks so I took her to the vets last week.  She was waking up in the night and itching non-stop for what seemed like ages, and she never seemed to be able to satisfy the itch.  The vet agreed that it could be allergies and prescribed some steroids to stop the itching...this worked a charm, we are trying to sort out the dosage now so that she is on a very low dose and hopefully she wont need to take them too much longer.  But aswell as the itching she has been sneezing and reverse sneezing... the reverse sneezing sounds like she is choking and really worried me, turns out that if you put your finger/thumb over the nose to force breathing through the mouth this stops the sneezing in its tracks - this really works too. Previously we thought that she was choking and did much like you would do to a child patting them on the back but turns out this just doesnt help at all.  The reverse sneezing is like it sounds the opposite of a sneeze, so instead of air forcing outwards when sneezing its forcing inwards, hence the horrible noise... by forcing the breathing through the mouth this can instantly resolve the sneezing fit.  This is VERY common in pugs and apparently is made worse during allergy season so would explain why she has suddenly started to do it much more regularly... do you have a pug that reverse sneezes? Have you tried this stopping method?

Daisy hurt her paw :(

Ask Me Anything - Pug Edition

I really wanna get a pug! Would you recommend it? What are the ups and downs of being a pug-owner?

First of all, I LOVE my pug! She is brilliant! I am not a pug expert by any means and my experience is based on knowing 3 pugs and owning 1.

There are a number of pros and cons to pugs.

Pros
1) They basically adapt to whatever lifestyle you lead
2) They are very affectionate and playful
3) They are very loyal
4) They like long and short walks so whatever you have the time for
5) They are very lovable and a little bit child like
6) They are generally sociable dogs (one of the pugs I have known wasnt so but the others are very much)
7) They are ALWAYS happy to see you!
8) They like snuggles - a LOT!

Cons
1) They dont make good exercise companions, they tend to overheat and so cant run for very long, however they will sometimes try!
2) They need a little extra care when it comes to grooming, i.e. cleaning their creases and ears as they are prone to ear infections, also their nails (especially girl pugs grow super fast!)
3) They follow you everywhere including in to the bathroom (in my experience) I dont mind this but for some owners this would soon get tiresome.
4) They are prone to obesity so you need to take special care of their diet.
5) They need a LOT of attention - and can become jealous if you dont pay them enough
6) They snore!
7) They like snuggles a LOT! - this can be a con too because if you like alone time on the couch then your pug wont like you!
8) They like to chew on things - including socks, shoes, etc

I tried to keep the pros and cons balanced here, they are wonderful dogs, they are not for everyone but if you get one you will sure pull in a crowd, particularly when they are puppies, everyone loves them! Even the biggest dog owners ooooh and aaahhh over a pug puppy - the cutest ever!

If you do get one then you will have to share some pics with me! And if you need any advice I will try to help :o)

Daisy says get one!!! She would be super excited to know that another person is happy because of a pug just like her :o)

Cute pic - she looks so serious :)

This week Daisy went to be spayed and microchipped.  


I got to the vets to pick her up and she was doing fine, all the girls were saying that they loved her and she had been really good in the kennels.  They asked me about her rabies shot and she was due so I said to go ahead.  So she had the shot.  I got her home and she was running around (she is supposed to be calm and not exert herself so as not to dislodge the stitches) and seemed happy enough which was a relief.  Then she was sick but this was kind of expected.  Then she slept, again expected.  Then she started to get really agitated, was jumping around itching and getting really stressed out.  I called the vets and explained her behaviour as I was really worried, she was supposed to be resting and yet she couldnt settle.  The receptionist said that she would speak to the vet and call me back.  After I put the phone down I realized that Daisys face was starting to swell and felt puffy and she didnt like me touching her, I called back straight away.  The girl I spoke to said that as soon as I put the phone down she had realized that it was likely a reaction to the rabies shot and could I take her back there.  So I took her back to the vets, and they kept her in for the afternoon, gave her an antihistamine and thankfully she was okay.  She has been much more settled since I got her home this evening which is good.  The only thing is because she has had an antihistamine she cant have her pain meds tonight now, I hope she isnt in too much pain tonight.  It might be a night on the sofa for me tonight. 

Miss you

Dear Daisy,

I am missing you very very much.  I came home to England for 10 days, I hated leaving you but it should have only been for 10 days.  I am still in England right now and it has already been two and half weeks.  You have had a few different carers who I am sure are looking after you very well and I am very grateful to them for that.

I wish that I could give you a great big cuddle and tell you how much I love you and bring you here with me so that you knew I still loved you.  I cant believe how much I am missing you.  I have seen a few pictures of you and your brother and you look like you are having fun even though it is way too cold for you right now.  Also I hear that you are causing trouble with your brother seen as though he is injured.

Daisy I love you and miss you and hope that you are okay.

Lots of Love

Mommy xoxo

Update

Daisy Daisy Daisy,

Your eye is finally better, its taken a while, a few vet visits and lots and lots of eye drops.  Now you have the all clear, at least on the eye front, now you have the start of another ear infection.  Stop with the infections, please!!!

You have your brother staying with your for a little while - Frankie, and I think you enjoy having him around, someone to play with, someone to annoy, you are always getting him, wanting him to play, even when he is sleeping, I think that maybe you love him :o)  Next week you will be staying with him, when I go to England, it will be the first time I have left you and I will worry lots.  I am sure you will be fine with grandma and grandad but I will still worry, we have plans to talk on skype so that I can see you :o)

Almost time for your first christmas, you have gotten so big now, I am looking forward to you enjoying all of the christmas mess and treats - I am sure you are going to love it, you already love the snow so I am sure you will love christmas too :o)

Okay, long post about nothing really, just wanted to update, I will post some more pictures soon :o)