Guidance Notes

Section A – Respiratory

Nostrils

Grade 1:
Open nostril. Nostrils are wide open, during exercise, the nostril wings should move dorso-laterally ) upwards and outwards) to open on inspiration.

Grade 2:
Mildly stenotic nostrils. Slightly narrowed nostrils, but the lateral (outer) nostril wall doe not touch the medial (inner) nostril wall. During exercise the nostril wings should move dorso-laterally to open on inspiration.

Grade 3:
Moderately stenotic nostrils. The lateral wall touches the medial wall at the dorsal part of the nostril and the nostrils are open at the bottom. During exercise, the nostril wings are not able to move dorso-laterally and there may be nasal flaring.

Grade 4:
Severely stenotic nostrils. Nostrils are almost closed. The Pug may switch to oral breathing from nasal breathing with stress or very gentle exercise such as playing. During exercise, the nostril wings are not able to move dorso-laterallly and always present with nasal flaring.


Dyspnoea

Grade 0:
Pre-Exercise – not present
Post-Exercise – not present

Grade 1:
Pre-Exercise – not present
Post-Exercise – not present

Grade 2:
Pre-Exercise – not present
Post-Exercise – mild dyspnoea; cyanosis or collapse may not be present

Grade 3:
Pre-Exercise – moderate to severe dyspnoea; cyanosis may or may not present
Post-Exercise – inability to exercise; severe dyspnoea; cyanosis or collapse may or may not present; had history of cyanosis and/or collapse


Inspiratory Effort

Grade 0:
Pre-Exercise – not present
Post-Exercise – not present

Grade 1:
Pre-Exercise – not present
Post-Exercise – not present to mild

Grade 2:
Pre-Exercise – mild to moderate
Post-Exercise – moderate to severe

Grade 3:
Pre-Exercise – moderate to severe
Post-Exercise – severe


Respiratory Noise

Grade 0:
Pre-Exercise – not audible
Post-Exercise – not audible

Grade 1:
Pre-Exercise – not audible or mild stenosis, no audible stridors
Post-Exercise – mild stenosis, no audible stridors

Grade 2:
Pre-Exercise – mild to moderate sterters and/or stridors
Post-Exercise – moderate to severe sterters and/or stridors

Grade 3:
Pre-Exercise – moderate to severe sterters and/or stridors
Post-Exercise – severe sterters and/or stridors


Nasal Roll

Grade 1:
Minimal nasal roll, the entire nasal planum is not covered by the nasal roll.

Grade 2:
The nasal roll covers part of the nasal planum but does not exceed§ the tip of the nose.

Grade 3:
The nasal roll covers part of the nasal planum and mildly to moderately exceeds the tip of the nose.

Grade 4:
The nasal roll covers part of the nasal planum and reaches the top of the nostrils.


Section B – Eyes

Excessive Tearing

Grade 0 Nothing Abnormal Detected (NAD)
Grade 1Mildly affected
Grade 2 Moderately affected
Grade 3 Severely affected


Dry Eye

Grade 0: Nothing Abnormal Detected NAD
Grade 1: Mildly affected
Grade 2: Moderately affected
Grade 3: Severely affected


Ectropion

Grade 0: Nothing Abnormal Detected NAD
Grade : Mildly affected
Grade 2: Moderately affected
Grade 3: Severely affected


Entropion

Grade 0: Nothing Abnormal Detected NAD
Grade 1: Mildly affected
Grade 2: Moderately affected
Grade 3: Severely affected


Cornea Pigmentation

Grade 0:
Nothing Abnormal Detected (NAD).

Grade 1:
Mildly affected, less than 25% of the cornea affected by the pigmentation.

Grade 2:
Moderately affected, 25-50% of the cornea affected by the pigmentation.

Grade 3:
Severely affected, more than 50% of the cornea affected by the pigmentation.


Section C – Skin

Each section of the skin will be graded in terms of inflammation and hair loss. The categories are:

Body Part

Torso
Nasal Fold
Head
Underneath Tail
Feet (individually graded)

Grading

0 – Nothing Abnormal Detected (NAD)
1 – Mildly affected
2 – Moderately afected
3 – Severely affected


Section D – Ears

The ear canals of the Pug will be checked and graded from 0 (NAD) to 3 (severely stenotic); the ears will also be checked for Otitis Externa.

Grading

0 – Nothing Abnormal Detected (NAD)
1 – Mildly stenotic
2 – Moderately stenotic
3 – Severely stenotic


Section E – Patella

The Putnam grading system, grades dogs from Grade 0 – no luxation present and normal to increasing severity from grade 1-4.

Grade 0: Normal.

Grade 1: The patella can be manually luxated but will immediately return to the correct position when pressure is released.

Grade 2: The patella can be luxated manually but manipulation of the hind limb is required for the patella to gain its correct position.

Grade 3: The patella is spontaneously luxated with the Pug in a standing position or it is permanently luxated but can be repositioned manually.

Grade 4: The patella is permanently luxated and cannot be repositioned. 

Excessive force should not be used when manipulating the patella.