Hello I have a pug that is going to need surgery to correct his small airway and I dont want to get "ripped a new one" so to speak by my vet. So I was wondering if any pug owners out there have had the surgery for their pug and what the ball park figure was for the surgery.

thanks

thankyou i will definitly be gettting a few more oppinions on the subject from locat vets.

I've raised brachycephalic dogs for a little over 10 years and have never had to have surgery on any of them. I agree w/ PP that many vets see this as a 'gold mine' - unless your dog's tongue is turning blueish on exertion, I'd look for a new vet. Also stay away from steroids - they only make the 'problem' worse.

thankyou that is comforting to hear that it is possible to not get the dog the surgery and know that there is still a good chance he'll be ok.

thankyou.

Neither have I, but get other opinions just don't disregard this surgery it might be necessary. Don't risk your animal. MM

well i definitly dont want to put my animal in harms way, but at the same time it doesn't seem as though anyone has had this surgery done on their animal. and there is s till the question of what others have paid for the surgery, so i know whether or not i should get a second oppinion on the cost if i do choose to get the surgery done.

but the fact still remains that it seems as though it isn't medically necessary to the degree the vets would scare you into beliveing.

its definitly a tough call, but i just have a feeling that the vet is hoping i dont question her authority and i just pay her a bunch of money when it may not be necessary.

furthermore i am hesitant to get a second oppinion because i can only imagine that if one vet is trying to rip me off because my dog has a smooshed face then wont any other vet do the same thing?

Brachycephalic dogs are usually noisy breathers compared to normal dogs because all the stuff that is in a long-nosed dog's face is smashed into the shorter face. The big key to wether surgery is need is how the dog acts. If he seems to be in distress on exertion [not wanting to play, tongue turning bluish, apparent trouble catching breath], then maybe surgery is a good idea. I would consult another vet without telling him/her about the first Vet's opinion. Maybe ask around flat-faced dog owners to see what Vet they use. A lot of times a Vet will suggest some treatment just to calm the owner. Those of us who have had brachycephalic dogs for a while get used to the sniffling, snarfling, snuffling, snoring noises that come with them. Hot weather and excess weight will make it worse. You have to use your own judgment.