About Vicki Dressler Expertise I can answer questions about rescue, personalities, the breed, some general medical questions. I cannot answer technical medical problems as I am not a veterinarian or vet tech.
Experience I have been owned by Pugs for over 13 years, have done Pug rescue for over 10 years and have rescued/placed several hundred pugs throughout the years.
Organizations Prairie Pugs Rescue
Education/Credentials None specific to Pugs other then hands on experience
Question QUESTION: I have a 5 year old pug who has never been bred. She is starting to get quite aggressive with our other two dogs (both poodles). We are wondering if letting her have a litter of pups might calm her down. Is 5 years old too old for a first (and only) litter. We love her so much and are being encouraged by other family members to bred her so they can have one of her pups. We just want to do what is right by her - Thank you so much for your input.
ANSWER: Five years old is not too old to be bred but keep in mind you may lose her in the process. I would recommend that you get her spayed as soon as possible. Pugs can die very easily giving birth and even if she does give birth successfully, there is no guarentee that any puppies will survive.
Thanks and good luck.
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QUESTION: The reason we never got her spayed is we were told it is very dangerous for pugs because of the breathing problems. We live in Las Vegas and I have only found 2 vets that will even spay a pug because of the great chance of losing them during the process. What makes you say giving birth may cause us to lose her?
Answer Pugs can have a very hard time giving birthing...it is that breathing thing again. They sometimes labor so hard that they just can't do it and then you have a c-secton to deal with. Alos, I know some VERY good show people that only have occassional litters. There are times where they may only have one puppy survive from the litter or none at all.
Yes, there are pugs in puppy mills that pop them out twice a year. But you don't hear about all the mommas that don't survive.
I would be concerned with any vet that would not spay a pug. She can get mammary tumors or a condition called pyometra which is a dealy uterine infection.
I would find a vet that is very knowledgable about pugs and get her spayed as soon as possible.
