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And more How We Deal With Elderly Pugs
Cesarean Section:Do or Don’t?
2017 - YEAR 2 / ISSUE 03
WWW.PUGTIMESMAGAZINE.COM
2017 - YEAR 2 / ISSUE 03
WWW.PUGTIMESMAGAZINE.COM
LEISHMANIASIS THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING INFORMED
LEISHMANIASIS THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING INFORMED
And more How We Deal With Elderly Pugs
Cesarean Section:Do or Don’t?
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Tradicional Chinese Medicine tells us about the importance of prevention: health before sickness. A manual to keep our Pugs happy and healthy.
Dream or reality? Yes, it is perfectly possible, as long as we answer to their needs.
Still on prevention, we could not miss an article about dealing with Elderly Pugs. As we have previously approached in social media, this topic is always current and some cautions are indispensable so that they can age with quality of living, because only surviving is not enough.
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OUR MAGAZINE GOES ON, AND
IMPORTANT ISSUES ON THE PUGS ARE
NEVER TOO MUCH!
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C O N TAT [email protected]
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FACEBOOK.COM/PUGTIMESMAGAZINE
YOUTUBE.COM/C/ANGELANABUCOPUGS
The breeder section brings us Inge Wilmsen, Judge from FCI and a Pug breeder, with rel-evant topics, such as morphology selection aiming at improving the health of Pugs. Does producing a Pug with a longer muzzle and smaller skin folds mean better breathing?
“It happened to me” brings another moving story of a Pug owner and how a single fact drastically changed her life.
Doctor Tiago Vaz Lopes wrote to clarify the usual doubt: how to know if our Pug can give birth normally, and when does she need cesar-ean section?
The boys Finn and Sebastian tell us their amazing adventures with Bandito, the Pug, and Luigi the Cat. You cannot miss it!
Finally, in face of many cases of Pugs diag-nosed with Leishmaniasis in endemic regions for the disease, we decided to devote the Let-ters from our Writers section to this theme, in two issues in our magazine. Professor Joziana Muniz de Paiva Barçante, Professor Thales Au-gusto Barçante and Doctor Stephanie Karolina Pereira Passos answer our various questions and advise us on how to protect our dogs from this sad reality.
A good reading to all of you, eternal Pug lovers!
Angela NabucoEditor
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CLICK HERE AND LIKE
OUR PAGE ON FACEBOOK!
I N D E X
Editor-in-Chief and Director: Angela Nabuco
Cover shot: Angela Nabuco / Nabuco’s Dona Flor - 14 years old.
Photos: All dog photos are properties from Nabuco Kennel, or sent and authorized by the owners.
Associates in this Issue: Sebastian Smetham, Finn Paus, Inge Wilmsen, Profa. Joziana Muniz de Paiva Barçante, Sarita Constanzi, Dra Stephanie Karoline Pereira Passos, Prof. Thales Augusto Barçante, Dr Thiago Vaz Lopes e Dr William Costa Estellai
English Version: Ramon Xavier Monteiro
Art direction, design and illustration: Inhamis Studio
Ads, suggestions and claims: [email protected]
FINN, SEBASTIAN, BANDITO THE PUG & LUIGI THE CAT04 A G R E AT A D V E N T U R E
INVESTING IN THE PUG’S HEALTH 08E A S T E R N M E D I C I N E
CESAREAN SECTION: DO OR DON’T?12 W E S T E R N M E D I C I N E
INTERVIEW WITH: INGE WILMSEN (LIMISENGI’S PUGS) 14B R E E D E R ’ S E X P E R I E N C E S
HOW TO DEAL WITH ELDERLY PUGS17 H O W T O D E A L
BY SARITA CONSTANZI 20I T H A P P E N E D T O M E
SPECIAL EDITION ABOUT LEISHMANIASIS - #1
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EFINN, SEBASTIAN, BANDITO THE PUG AND LUIGI, THE CAT
Finn and Sebastian made a life changing journey walking 1500km across Spain as the ultimate modern family, 2 guys and their beloved and oh so cute pets, a
previously unknown Pug and Cat.
After meeting 9 years ago in Sitges, Spain, and working there until the end of 2015, what the boys realized was that they were not living their dream anymore. Late nights and seasonal bar work did not have the allure it once did. So they sold their belongings and gave notice on their beach front apartment. Motivated by the recent death of Finns parents they figured that life is too short.
MOTIVATED BY THE RECENT DEATH OF FINNS PARENTS THEY FIGURED THAT LIFE IS TOO SHORT.
A great adventureS E B A ST I A N S M E T H A M & F I N N PAU S
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The plan was to walk across Spain, taking a dog trolley and everything they now owned, most importantly Bandito the Pug and Luigi the Cat.
That is exactly what they did. Following the historic Camino to Santiago route, a pilgrim-age which some 200.000 people take each year in the North of Spain to the Sierra Neva-da mountains in the South.
Their journey quickly became a hit on social media as the first people to do it with their pets. The family of 4 had adventure after adventure as the animals grew to love their new life and got used to all the walking! Cross-ing plateaus, forests and the Spanish plains in all types of weather. Sun, rain, wind and even snow, it made for an epic journey. One that has attracted attention for upcoming books, merchandise and if the boys are brave enough, to one day publish their personal diary of the journey!
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The family stopped
walking after 1500km and 3 months living
in a tent.
The family stopped walking after 1500km and 3 months living in a tent, to their new home, the place they had been dreaming of, in the rolling hills behind Marbella away from all of the bright lights and glamour and where the 4 of them could settle with their small vegetable patch and easy living.
Since completing the walk, Sebastian and Finn lead a simple and secluded lives in their home just outside Marbella. They have a true love for each other and as their following on social media continues to grow, they are giving in-spiration to pug lovers, cat lovers and couples worldwide.
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INVESTING IN THE PUG’S HEALTH BY D R . W I L L I A M CO STA E ST E L L A I
Until very recently, the expression “Animal well-being” was solely as-sociated to livestock. Their owners always trying to enrich the environ-
ment upon discovering their animals were not at their highest production potential, espe-cially due to physical distress. Gradually, this health concept is reaching dogs and cats as well. And the best way of providing well-being to our pets is to know their needs.
Every breed has genetic predispositions. Dachshunds, for example, are prone to having spine problems. To avoid this, we must work
preventively, which can (and must) be done both through Western Veterinary Medicine and Chinese Traditional Medicine.
In order to act preventatively, we must know the individual and his characteristics. A good way of achieving this in Traditional Chinese Medicine is through the theory of Constitu-tion. Dog breeds can be associated to the Five Elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. And the association of a specific breed to a specific Element is called Theory of Consti-tution and it involves the individual nature in relation to his dominant Element, expressed according to his personality.
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“Wise men prevent disease instead
of treating it, keeping themselves
in order instead of correcting
disorder.”
Ancient Chinese Saying
FreeImages.com/Michael & Christa Richert
Knowing the constitu-tional type helps to un-derstand the animal, his fundamental needs and the treatment of his un-balances that, within time, will become diseases.
Generally speaking, breeds fit in behavioral types that are compatible with one of the Five Elements, despite individuals within the group behave differently.
A few great authors have written about the Theory of Constitution in Traditional Chinese Medicine. However, none of the books I could reach mentioned the Constitution of the Pug. My living with Pugs makes me believe that they are of Wood Constitution. The way they respond to challenges makes me perceive that
way, especially due to two meaningful facts: their strong personality and how they are annoyed when thwarted.
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Main characteristics/relations of Wood Element
O RG A N /V I S C E R A
F L AVO R
CO LO R
S T R U C T U R E S
S E A S O N
F E E L I N G
CO S M I C E N E RGY
Ligaments, Tendons, Muscles, Eyes, Joints, Nails, Immune system, Female Reproductive System
Liver (Gan) is the organ associated to the Wood Element. It’s attached to the Gall Blad-der. According to Traditional Chinese Medi-cine, the main energetic functions of the Liver are: keeping the Qi (Vital Energy) flow free to give support to the vital activities of the body, store the Blood and help in the digestive function of Spleen/Pancreas and Stomach. It is said that Liver opens up in the eyes and shows up in the nails.
Pugs being of Wood Constitution, when dissonant, they can present one or more of the following problems: excessive irritability and aggressiveness often unjustified, irregular
Liver/Gall Bladder
Acidic/Sour
Spring
Anger
Green Wind
estrus, tendon retraction or disruption, joint problems, lax ligaments, many eye problems, blurry eyes, nystagmus, steatosis or hepatic failure, alteration in hepatic enzimes, stroke, convulsions, nail problems, twitches, digestive problems.
Among living being, humans are considered the top of the evolutionary chain, with the highest capacity of adaptation to adversity; then come animals and finally plants.
THE BALANCE TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE AIMS NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN THREE FRONTS: THE INDIVIDUAL WITHIN ITSELF, THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE ENVIRONMENT IT IS INTEGRATED, AND THE INDIVIDUAL WITH THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH IT LIVES.
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Dogs are not responsible for their choices. They depend entirely on the will and initia-tive of their owners to fulfill their most basic needs. This is important, because FRUSTRA-TION is the feeling that causes the unbalance in Wood Constitution. Pugs need to have their physical and mental expectations met in order to restore balance. They need space to move and Interact with nature, primary needs of the Wood Element. The well-being of Pugs comes through basic and fundamental condi-tions: good nutrition, cool water as much as they want, physical activities, social interaction with other dogs, contact with nature, and comfort where they live, especially thermally. These terms will bring balance to Wood Con-stitution individuals, consequently providing health.
Providing well-being to our four-legged friends is more than an option, it is a duty for those who chose to have a Pug. In order to do so, it is fundamental to offer what they need and even what we are not interested in giving.
William Costa EstellaiVeterinarian Doctor – CRMV/MG 10356Postgraduated in Veterinarian Acupuncture Juiz de Fora – [email protected]
FRUSTRATION is the feeling
that causes the unbalance in Wood
Constitution.
The fight proneness are explained by the Pug constitution, related to the Wood Element, but a balanced and fulfilled group rarely fights, being able to live together.
Prevent and invest in health or medicate dis-eases? It’s your choice!
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When implementing a model of dog breeding, specially brachy-cephalic, there are many ex-tremely important points, more
importantly to newcomers to the art; being some as listed sanity, nutrition, genetics, installations, bioclimatology, and the worries about the breed-ing management in these dogs is of great rele-vance, because all the dedication towards genetic enhancement ensues the breeding of specimens that are the best representations of the breed in the roster, both in genotype and phenotype, according to their standards.
The breeding not only for bitches, but also for fe-males in every species, is seen as a “luxury”, physi-ologically, so what does that mean? It means that they need to be in their own comfort zones; well served nutritionally, with stress factors minimized to the most. All being balanced, they will cycle.
The efforts for a successful pregnancy are count-less; having the best moment for an artificial insemination or mating, then the final process of the entire endeavor comes. As days go by, a con-cern comes by and it usually becomes a doubt; “natural birth or cesarean?”
Cesarean is the art of surgical medical interven-tion, performed when there are constraints for the natural birth, especially when the mother or the puppies are at risk for any given cause. Litera-ture approaches this procedure as of emergency, which in fact is, in veterinary clinic routines.
BY D R . T H I AG O VA Z LO P E S
CESAREAN SECTION: DO OR DON’T?
In breeding, especially Pug breed-ing, when inseminating the bitch, we already start to think about the cesarean date and the post-surgery, not too far from what has been happening in hu-man medicine. This procedure has excelled the natural, showing an inversion, when it should be epi-sodic but it is routine, instead.
It is common to hear laypeople say “was this breed created in laboratories?”, “why is natural birth so difficult?”. The prompt answer to the first questioning is a sound NO, but the breed is the result of a series of crossbreedings that for decades have selected characteristics that are very prominent in the breed today, and in this de-velopment process, we can state that the ability of being a mother was lost or not selected, maybe even because of anatomic conformation, what explains the high number of surgical interventions for birth.
Even though the resource of intervention is not cast aside, it is expected to be evaded, because natural birth must always be prioritized. The aid of technology, such as ultrasound, are of extremely importance for the follow-up of the breeder regarding birth, as well as other assisting techniques, always demanding a veterinary doctor to be on call around this period, in case natural birth is impracticable, an emergency intervention will be at hand.
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Even though the resource of intervention
is not cast aside, it is expected to be evaded,
because natural birth must always be prioritized.
Thiago Vaz Lopes
Veterinary Doctor
Pug breeder
University Professor
Master by the Uni-versidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel
Doctorate in animal breeding by the Uni-versidade do Acre – UFAC
Managing director of Kennel Clube de Rondônia and form-ing judge of CBKC
IT IS IMPORTANT TO STRESS THAT, IF THE AFOREMEN-TIONED ASPECTS ARE NOT MET, THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION IS AN ELECTIVE SUR-GERY, SO THAT THE LITTER IS NOT COMPROMISED AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE MOTHER.
This follow-up has, in my experience as a breeder, enabled me to know and realize which are my bitches that are capable or not of performing natural birth, not only helping me to direct the next selections, but also pro-gramming upcoming births.
The breeders must follow up these bitches in-timately and gently, so that the time between the first uterine contractions and the thresh-old of fetal viability is never overtaken, and
only after the natural birth is considered infea-sible, must then the cesarean be undertaken. Some fetal maturity cues have to be noted and taken into consideration when opting for cesarean procedure, such as skull diameter, heart rate that was around 230 bpm (beats per minute), start to fall close to birth, and a rate lower than 170 bpm can already be taken as fetal distress which is, in other words, more than time enough to retrieve them feasibly. In this stage, the intestinal loop distortions hap-pen, and motility can be present; alongside these, we have the body temperature of the bitch as a great marker, because in the twelve hours prior to birth, the average temperature drops 1o C (1,8o F), bringing to the world these “little things” that love us unconditionally.
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MY EXPERIENCE AS A PUG BREEDER
I N G E W I L S E MBelgium
Pug breeder since 2004, onwer of the kennel Limisengi’s Pug and FCI Judge.
1. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BREEDING PUGS AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE BREED?
I am breeding Pugs since 2004, that is the age my first litter was born. I was following the breed in books, magazines and on dog shows since the early nineties. I fell in love with them because of their clownish appearance and behaviour. However, I soon noticed their poor health condition. No walks, obesity, knees and vertebral problems, breath and heart issues,
Inge Wilsem with Limiseng’s Poison Ivy, a hope for the future, 4 months
old.
just to name some of them. I was born in a ‘breeders nest’ (my parents used to breed Schnauzers) and I was tempted to improve Pug’s health, while not loosing their exterior. I did use lines that were unknown in our coun-try and beyond, and I had quite a hard time showing in the beginning, but judges started to appreciate our type soon enough and it is wonderful to enter a ring with a cheerful and healthy pug who can move properly. That is the main reason why I started to breed.
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This doesn’t mean that all PDE carriers have to be excluded, I’d rather consider it as a hand-icap to improve. PDE s/n okay, but in breeding only to be mated with a PDE n/n specimen. PDE as I already said, is not a major problem in our country, but long time ago (in 2002 to be precise) I lost my second pet Pug to PDE. None even heard of the disease at that mo-ment, I allowed my vet to send my little darling to the biggest vet university of our country to do an autopsy on him. And then we knew, he died of PDE. It is the most horrible death one can imagine and for, as far as I can do some-thing about it (we are not God!), no puppy buyer of us will see his or her dear friend die in his or her arms of this illness.
Next to that we test eyes, endurance (breath and heart), knees and vertebrae. If any doubts about a line we would like to introduce, we test hips.
But it is an illusion to breed a pug with perfect A-hips, who also has the proper slight rolling movement. Point is to find a good way in the middle.
4. WHAT IS MORE PLEASANT AND WHAT IS MORE DIFFICULT ABOUT BREEDING PUGS FOR YOU?
The most pleasant in breeding for me is to see our pug children grow up in a nice family, as a real family member. Nothing makes me happier than getting mails or messages from our puppy buyers telling me how happy they are with their Pug (and vice versa), or how their vet complimented them on their Pug’s health, or about the 10th birthday party they had with Pug, family and friends. My first litter will be 13 years old in August, except one (they were six) all still living.
2. TELL US ABOUT YOUR EX-PERIENCE WITH PUGS ON THE RING, AS AN EXIBITOR AND AS A JUDGE. WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO ONE WHO WANTS TO SHOW HIS PUG?
As already reveled in the first item, it is not easy to find ‘the whole package’, not as an exhibitor, neither as a judge. We need proper pug temperament, typical head, good con-formation and super movement. Without any doubt, the best heads are found on the English type of pugs. As is the coat, short and fine. However, they are not the number one in body and movement, which obviously come together. I personally - that is my opinion and my preference - prefer body and movement on the American type of Pugs. Unfortunate-ly, they come with a longer and thicker coat, missing the ‘smooth’. What concerns temper-ament, just like us, a dog is born with bag that is half filled up. We, as owners - exhibitors, can still change a lot. But as I said, the bag is half filled and I’ve noticed that some lines produce rather timid dogs. It is very hard to improve this quality.
3. IN YOUR OPINION WHICH ARE THE MAIN HEALTH PROBLEMS OF THE BREED? HOW DO YOU PREVENT AND DEAL WITH THEM?
Most health problems we see over here are very poor condition because of a narrow trachea and long soft palate, knee problems and hemi vertebra. Once in a bleu moon we hear of a Pug who passed away of PDE, but it is something to consider carefully.
In breeding, my pugs are DNA-tested on PDE, so that we can consider the issue in breeding.
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Of course, what also makes me happy is to see good show results, which breeder wouldn’t?
The hardest is to keep on working to improve health and conformation, putting the first at
the first place. We have to fight on one side to avoid breed’s exaggeration, and at the other side the breed’s destruction by those who think they can improve Pug’s health by giving them a nose, read ‘snout, longer muzzle’.
I aim to breed good noses with big open nostrils, but a Pug is a Pug, it is the breed we fell in love with, and his appearance should not be changed.
5.WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR THE BEGINNER BREEDER?
I would recommend new Pug owners or exhibitors to take time before making any
decision. Take time to look around, to vis-it dog shows, talk to owners and breeders, even judges, to really watch pugs at a show, on events etc. Contact breed associations whatever, and then decide if the Pug is the right choice. Also, when they feel good with a certain breeder, be patient, wait until he or she has a puppy available, even if it takes one or two years. Having a good feeling about a breeder is so important, because he or she will be your family for the rest of his/her Pug’s, maybe even his or her life.
While purchasing a Pug to exhibit, I would advise to look for lines with the right temper-ament, and good conformation. As I said, it is not easy to have the whole package, though that is what we aim. Look for lines with good heads, cobby square bodies with good angula-tions, smooth movement and good coat and pigmentation. It might take a while, but I’ m sure excellent dogs can be found. It is you who makes him a winner.
Limisengi’s No Cure For Crazy, BOB and BIG
#5 today, handled by my daughter Jolien who
does all the handling since I am a judge.
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HOW WE DEAL WITH ELDERLY PUGS
This is not the first time we talk about the subject but, due to its impor-tance, we always come back to it when we think it’s best.
Pugs not always age healthily. Being a sensi-tive, habit-driven breed, they start showing their handicaps more frequently at the age of seven.
Our Pugs age with us, and we get used to noticing changes even at an early stage, having better chances of overcoming the situation.
An elderly Pug has been through many hard-ships of being a Pug. Even those who were loved and cared for have had respiratory distress, a skin condition, many have a poor sight (or no sight at all), others are deaf, some
BY A N G E L A N A B U CO
have moving or urinary problems or some other kind of ailment, or were stricken by can-cer, which is very common in dogs, especially older ones. On top of that, we know Pugs are emotional. How much they rely on our com-pany, how jealous they are for loving so much and how much they somatize (that is, bring to their physical build) all these emotions.
And take notice that we are talking about beloved and cared Pugs. What can we say about the ones who were neglected, poorly cared or had no love whatsoever? That didn’t receive the care and attention a Pug deserves throughout his life? Or those used for breed-ing and discarded at an advanced age? When given for donations, the beloved adopters have to deal with this constantly.
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As it is with humans, the sadness coming from rejection lowers the immune system and this usually takes a toll on the old dog, be-cause for life to be desired and meaningful, it must provide the love of those dear to us.
Like humans, the elderly Pugs feels very safe in their routine, in the house where they live, with the people they know and love. There-fore, avoid changing their bed, food or water spot. They must have their scheduled hours for meals and rest, for a calm and replenish-ing sleep. If they do not have a good sight anymore, avoid moving the furniture, for they move well when they know where the obstacles are. Many do not like going out to the streets anymore and feel insecure and anxious, be it because of poor sight, joint pain, little energy or just answering to their nature, choosing not to be vulnerable to predators (if Pugs still carry any trace of instinct). If they are not walking partners anymore, let them rest at
home, respecting their choice to curfew, rest and their sleeping hours.
Moving house or having a different owner is even more difficult for an older than to a younger Pug, and this should only happen when life genuinely demands it, or in case of a rescue. For the latter, living definitely in the temporary home would be ideal for them, whenever possible. A change could be ex-perienced as a loss. If you are a breeder and see better standard of living for retired Pugs at homes where they will be unique, do not donate them after seven years of age, because before that it is easier for them to adapt. The ideal is for them to be with the owners for as long as they live, but if donation is mandatory, worry about making a thorough choice. It is imperative to pick a peaceful home, where they will be loved and with a pace that re-spects the needs of an elderly Pug: a home full of children is not the best choice. The family should also be able to afford the many ex-penses of the Pug’s late age.
Soaking the paws with warm water
massages and home treatment have also been useful, like soaking the paws with warm water, coarse salt and sage or comfrey, for joint pain.
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Pugs are generally very heat sensitive. An older one is also cold sensitive, which com-promises their joints and respiratory issues. Avoid overheating, protecting them in lower temperatures with warm clothes, and allowing them to live near you, in a safeguarded place.
It is important to keep them away from over-weight. In order to do so and also for health in general, it is important that they exercise within their own choice and limits. Natural balanced diet is essential, especially in this age group, supplemented by multivitamins. After taking natural diet, our old ones started to live longer, with better quality of living and dispo-sition, even those who had ailments commons of advanced age.
Veterinary clinic admission only when it is indispensable for survival. Some have aggra-vated conditions and do not resist being away from home, without their owners.
Elderly Pugs usually do not endure invasive treatment. Alternative treatments are less aggressive. Whenever possible, prefer using them, keeping in mind there is a time for traditional Medicine to be used. Prevention is much easier than treating a disease. Our experience with acupuncture and phytother-apy have been very favorable. Massages and home treatment have also been useful, like soak-ing the paws with warm water, coarse salt and sage or comfrey, for joint pain.
Neutering, spaying and teeth cleaning must not be postponed, because in a near future they might not have clinical condi-tions for being anesthetized. The bacteria from gum diseases
Being alert every day
is essential, for an early identification of any changes in feces, urine, breathing and locomotive system.
can strike the heart, then causing many other problems, and castration also prevents future complications in the reproductive system.
Avoid making or letting your old one go up and down stairs, or jumping the sofa (which is also not advised for the young ones). A non-adher-ent floor might bring seri-ous joint complications, or aggravate already existing conditions.
Being alert every day is essen-tial, for an early identification of any changes in feces, urine, breath-ing and locomotive system. There are issues that come up overnight and must be prompt-ly resolved.
And finally, all the love and attention. It is what keeps them happy and willing to live, when their small bodies are more demanding about the conditions to stay healthy in comparison to their younger years. Every measure that intend to protect the elderly Pug is welcome, keeping in mind that they – much more than before, when they were young – need all the love we can dedicate to them. Exercise
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IT HAPPENED TO ME
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It was a single blow. He didn’t suffer. But we felt a grief that would never end. He followed my son Lucas, crossing the street, in his way to grandmother Albina’s
house. The driver was innocent. Our belo-ved Gugu, the world’s most gorgeous Pug, left at eighteen months of age. He was char-ming, lovely, and was obtained in a kennel from my city, in Santa Catarina.
I started to seek comfort in rescue groups of many kinds, including Pug ones and that was when I started to understand about stud dogs and bitches, and how they are exploited in irresponsible kennels, without any care. It had been three months since the tragedy, we still felt a lot, when grandpa Pe-dro and grandma Albina presented us with another Pug puppy, the beautiful Gugu II. A short time later, we bought a Boxer puppy, dear Thunder, and both are still with us, six years old each, good-looking and healthy.
I then decided to apply for the donation of a rescued Pug. Jack showed up in São Paulo and Nega in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul. I chose Jack, who was closer (2,500 km or 1550 miles on a round trip), and I thought I would never be chosen as the adopter. But I was.
The moderator of a rescue group asked if we could give Nega a ride to São Paulo. After laughing about it, we accepted to do so. However, we hired a pet taxi that traveled for 800 km (500 miles) on a round trip that brought her to me. She arrived at night, so weak and helpless, and we could do every-thing she needed, so we did.
IT WAS MY FIRST CONTACT WITH A RES-CUED PUG. SHE GAZED AT US WITH HER SHINY EYES, CHARMED BY THE LOVE SHE WAS GIVEN, SOMETHING SHE HAD NEVER FELT IN HER LIFE ON A KENNEL OF NEGLECTFUL NON-LOVING OWNERS.
In the following day, we set off at five a.m., Lucas, Nega and me, on our way to Sao Pau-lo, to hand her to the new owner and bring Jack, the rescued Pug we had chosen. I felt uneasy during the trip, with a sense of guilt sinking in my chest, for not choosing her. As arranged, we met at the parking lot of a mall in Sao Paulo. I got Jack and handed Nega, with my heart broken. Despite my suffering, I went back to the car feeling my job was done, because the love of the new owners was plain to see. It was a burdensome trip, but from it, I could understand that every-thing is worthwhile for a greater good: taking them from a horrible place so they can be loved and respected like every animal deser-ves. As far as I can tell, Nega (now Lola) lives a very happy and loving life.
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Sonia Blanco Carreiro“mother” to the Mortadela gang and owner of Anita Bonita crafts
Sarita ConstanziPhysiotherapist and moderator of the group SOS PUGS
Life goes on and today I am one of the moderators of the group SOS PUGS, in which we rescue Pugs from risky situations, a volunteer job I am glad to do. They are unbelievable stories; no one can fathom what a human being is able to do due to in-difference and greed. Sometimes it is a race against time, like when Frederico, a beautiful and strong Pug, that would be euthanized
Sarita and Jack, her rescued Pug
on that afternoon, for being diagnosed with leishmaniosis, a controllable disease. Adopters were found at the last minute, and they received him with arms wide open. There are cases in which rescued Pugs in advances stages of malnutrition, with severe diseases that pass away des-pite all efforts. Still the majority survives, to meet love, overcome traumas and live happy, making up for the hours of labor, the shorter sleeping hours, the tears shed and the financial difficulties to afford great health expenses from the rescued Pugs. For love, and with the help of so many friends, it is absolutely wor-thwhile!
“Today I am one of the moderators of the group
SOS PUGS, in which we rescue Pugs from risky
situations, a volunteer job I am glad to do. They are
unbelievable stories; no one can fathom what a human
being is able to do due to indifference and greed.”
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LEISHMANIASIS: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING INFORMEDPART 1BY A N G E L A N A B U CO
Advisors Prof. Thales Augusto Barçante and Prof. Joziana Muniz de Paiva Barçante The rescued Pugs in the photos are under treatment, with good quality of life
In face of the rising number of Pugs rescued with the visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis, we acknowledge that it would be very important to guide readers about this disease that inflicts
dogs, human beings and other urban and wild mammals.
Leishmaniases are parasitic diseases caused by the protozoa of Leishmania species, that can manifest in two different forms: visceral and cutaneous. Both ones are namely zoonoses, that is, affect both humans and animals. In this article, we will focus the visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar, for being a more severe manifestation of the disease and for its impor-tance in Human and Veterinarian Medicine.
Visceral Leishmaniasis is a ne-glected disease, in the sense that it mainly affects poor pop-ulations in regions of precar-ious sanitary conditions and mainly the outskirts of towns.
The research for new drugs for the treatment is not of interest for studies and investment in pharmaceutical industries. However, cases in
metropolitan areas, with a high Human Devel-opment Index, have also been often reported, in both humans and animals.
The main form of transmission occurs through the involvement of the infected female sandfly (phlebotomus), also known in Brazil as cangalinha, polvinha, birigui, asa dura, among other common names. This insect breeds in wet organic matter (garbage, food litter piled on the ground, leaf debris in the yard, feces of animals raised around the house, like chicken, piles of fruit in orchards). When the mosquito draws the blood of infected animals, it gets infected too. As the skin of the infected dog hosts the parasite, the insect carrier that bites an infected dog has high chances of being infected and then transmitting the para-site to other mammals, humans included. In such context, the domestic dog is the main vessel for the parasite, and it works as a source of infection for the sandfly in the urban environment, even though it is not the only one. For instance, in the World Congress on Leishmaniasis – Worldleish 2017, the role of rabbits and hares in an urban outbreak in downtown Madrid (Spain) was discussed. Other forms of transmission include sexual and vertical (mother to unborn pup).
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In Brazil, the public policy for disease control is based on the diagnoses of early cases, the con-trol of the insect, treatment of infected humans and the euthanasia of infected dogs, even when they have not produced symptoms yet. The dis-ease cannot be parasitologically cured, but it can be kept under control, with quality of living for humans and animals, under appropriate medica-tion, depending on the stage in which treatment is started. Visceral Leishmaniasis, when untreat-ed, may cause the death of infected individuals, both humans and dogs. The arrival and release of the substance miltefosine brought an alterna-tive to canine euthanasia. However, treatment is only viable to a small part of the population, due
to its relatively high cost, which, in terms of public health, does not shape a solution.
The use of milte-fosine in Brazil is still very new. Presum-
ably, it keeps the disease under controls, leaving little to no parasites on the skin of the dog, resulting in the reduction of its role as source of infection for the carrier. Besides the use of oral medication, dogs under miltefosine treat-ment must do a series of tests every four or six months, to assess clinical evolution and the pres-ence of parasites on the skin. Miltefosine is liber-ated for veterinary use, and it shows restrictions for dogs that already present renal and hepatical lesions. It is important to stress that, even under miltefosine treatment, the animal needs to have his collar soaked in insecticide or use another long-term topic treatment, to avoid insect bites. No isolate individual measure is 100% effective.
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leishmaniases are parasitic diseases caused by the protozoa of leishmania species, that can manifest in two different forms: visceral and cutaneous.
VISCERAL LEISHMANIA-SIS IS A DISEASE THAT HAS
MANY IMPORTANT ETHICAL IM-PLICATIONS THAT MUST BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION:
1 - TRANSPORTING OF INFECTED DOGS TO DISEASE-FREE ZONES.
Considering that the sandfly has a wide geo-graphical spread, it is important that infected animals are not taken to free zones, in order to avoid a potential transmission spot. In case transport is necessary, it is mandatory to use insecticides (collars or topical insecticides) so they are not bit, taking the disease to that area. Whenever possible, maintenance of the dog in meshed spaces with specific ultra-thin mesh, and to avoid night walks (highest activi-ty of the insect).
2 - NON-INFECTED DOGS IN VIS-CERAL LEISHMANIASIS TRANSMIS-SION ZONES.
If your dog lives in an area that is infected, it must benefit of every means to avoid infec-tion by leishmania. Insecticide-soaked collars or long duration topical products, and speci-fied vaccination are essential.
3 - BREEDING OF INFECTED ANI-MALS.
Unfortunately, due to the high commercial value of many breeds, like Pugs, some owners have been using visceral leishmaniasis positive animals to mate. We consider this posture to be coward to the animals, and it is also a crime to public health. Mating and breeding are vetted for infected animals. Vertical transmis-sion (from mother to unborn pup) is real, so
A The main form of transmission
occurs through the involvement of the
infected female sandfly (phlebotomus).
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Mosquito palha, Leishmaniasis
Transmitter
Measuring 2mm, the mosquito palha usually goes
unnoticed to the human eye.
MaleFemale
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the breeding of infected females can generate a maintenance cycle for the parasite, leading to severe consequences, such as a heightened public health risk (including to the owner/breeder and his/her family), suffering for the dogs and emotional distress for the owners of potentially infected puppies.
It is important to stress that canine Visceral Leishmaniasis might not present symptoms in many animals. Therefore, for an appropriate assessment of the animal, the owner must look for a veterinarian doctor with technical competence on the subject, to indicate the most adequate ethical and clinical conduct for each case.
The subject will continue in our next issue, addressing leishmaniasis treatment and pre-vention in-depth, including vaccination, due to its great importance for us humans and for the dogs.
Light trap used for re-searching the mosquito palha.
Information is our first weapon in the fight against such a cruel disease that can be avoid-ed, but not cured. Let’s spread the word.
LEISHMANIASIS: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSArticle written to our magazine by Veterinarian Doctor Stephanie Karoline Pereira Passos, with technical detail, in the fashion of a Q&A about leishmaniasis.
LEARN MORE...
Consultants for this article:Professor Joziana Muniz de Paiva BarçanteGraduated in Biology Science by UFJFPhD in Parasitology by UFMGPost-doctorate in immunoparasitology by UFMGProfessor of the Health Science Department at the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA)Head of Chancellor Office at UFLA
Professor Thales Augusto BarçanteGraduated in Biology Science by UFJFPhD in Parasitology by UFMGProfessor of the Health Science Department at UFLAChief of the Health Science Department at UFLA
http://pre.univesp.br/urbanizacao-e-leishmaniose#.WSRzldy1uM8
http://www.ufla.br/ascom/2017/04/04/leishmanioses-conheca-as--principais-informacoes-e-o-historico-do-trabalho-que-vem-sendo-de-senvolvido-em-lavras/
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