TanTan & P.T.L.J

從2008年小樂來到王家的第一天，2個月後有了王太郎，到2011年收養了胖胖！

三隻巴哥的快樂生活一直很單純，到2010年小樂第一次出現漏尿的徵兆，從此，我才能說我是一位養巴哥的主人。

要養一隻狗很容易，要養好一隻狗，主人若沒有做好功課，對他們有清楚的認知，並且隨時補充相關醫療知識（尤其是純種狗），那麼光只是送狗兒去美容的票漂亮亮，這隻狗兒跟著主人吃苦，是早晚的事！

小樂的漏尿，讓我認識了這個巴哥（嚴格來說，應該是許多短吻犬）常有的遺傳疾病-Hemivertebrae。

最近發現了一個介紹巴哥相關知識的網站，對Hemivertabra有清楚地介紹。

http://www.pugvillage.com/

關於Hemivertabra的介紹摘要：（英文沒有說很好，可能會有小誤差）

• 什麽是Hemivertabra?    

          Brachycephalic breeds of dogs or those with short muzzles, such as the Pug, often possess a tail that is curled like a cork screw. Nature may have dictated that this cork screw appearance of the tail provide a balance to a Pug’s short, pushed in face, but it may also indicate an abnormality in the formation and development of the dog’s spine known as Hemivertebrae.

         Aside from the Pug, other breeds of dogs that are likely to possess a hemivertebrae at the tail include Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, and English Bulldogs.

          短吻，卷尾，四肢短小的狗種如巴哥,波士頓,英鬥,法鬥,都容易好發一種遺傳性脊椎疾病-Hemivertabra!

• 徵兆

        1. Weakness of the hind limbs and displaying an uncoordinated gait which is most obvious between 4-6 months of age.
        2.Difficulty in voiding out urine and feces

         後肢動作困難，不協調的步伐，以及難以排尿

• 病因

        When the condition affects the bones of the tail, it is not really a major problem because there is no spinal cord tissue present in this part of the vertebral column.

       The vertebral bones develop unequally resulting in deformed vertebra that prevents normal fusion.

       When this happens, a wedge is formed that can exert pressure on the dog’s spine thereby compressing it and leading to difficulties in movement and paralysis. The most common site where this type of Hemivertebrae often develops is around the 8th to the 11th thoracic vertebrae.

       It may also occur along the cervical vertebrae or the bones of the neck. Most cases of Hemivertebrae are considered congenital or hereditary thus parents that possess the abnormality can transmit it to their offspring.

         尾椎的不適，背脊椎第八節到第十一節的異常壓迫其他正常脊椎，造成疼痛,行動的困難！遺傳是巴哥幼犬得到

Hemivertebra的主因。

• 治療

         Whether mild or severe, pain management with the aid of drug medications is very important. Restricted activity is also important during the dog’s period of recovery.

         There have been reports of dogs with hemivertebrae responding well to acupuncture.

        手術,藥物的疼痛控制,針灸,最重要的是：行動的控制與休息！否則將有癱瘓的可能。

• 絕對禁止

         Dogs which have been diagnosed with hemivertebrae should never be allowed to breed. It would also be wise to have a dog that belongs to a susceptible breed x-rayed before breeding.

        一旦發現罹患 Hemivertebra，私自繁殖，是絕對禁止的！！！！！！！！！！！！

   繁殖，又是另外一個嚴肅的課題，覺得狗兒可愛？就讓他生育下一代？

   這不只是一種不道德的行為，更是一種虐待，有一個專業的課題為：基因虐待！

   小樂用他的疼痛與不適，教會我這些身為主人應該知道的事情，我們共同走過的這四年控制脊椎病痛的路，還沒有終止，那又是另一段很長的故事，只希望記錄我們一同走過的路，也讓喜歡,想要養狗的人，知道瞭解狗兒健康知識的重要！