Pug: Health and Disease Prevention

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Pug Health usually not a concern to the owners, but there are, however, specific diseases specific to the breed. They can be divided into 2 groups. The first is diseases caused by structural features and appearance of the pug (brachycephalic skull with large, slightly bulging eyes, skin folds). The second group is hereditary, genetically determined diseases of the pug.

In the photo: pug dog

Among the hereditary diseases that threaten the health of the pug, it is necessary to highlight Perthes disease, or aseptic necrosis of the femoral head. Pug puppies become sick at the age of 4 months, lameness appears, the puppy tries not to step on the sore limb. When the owner tries to bend or extend its paw, the puppy experiences pain. Over time, if untreated, the muscles begin to atrophy and the limb dries out. The diagnosis is made after an x-ray.

Surgical treatment, the sooner it is carried out, the faster the puppy will get rid of pain and begin to move normally. Since this disease is hereditary, when buying a pug puppy, find out if his parents had such a disease. In case of suspicious lameness, you should contact your veterinarian in a timely manner.

There is a dislocation of the patella in pugs (hereditary or acquired as a result of an injury).

Hip dysplasia most often manifests itself during a period of intensive growth of a pug puppy. Early signs: hesitant gait and croup rocking. Useful walking, slow running and swimming, but intense exercise is contraindicated. Reasons have not yet been identified.

Another pug health problem is juvenile demodicosis. The causative agent of this disease is the microscopic acarimorphic tick Demodex canis. In many dogs, this tick is present on the skin, but only puppies with weakened immunity become ill with demodicosis. The disease begins with thinning of the hair around the eyes, mouth, chest and forelimbs. The coat begins to look like a “moth-beaten”.

The sooner treatment begins, the faster and more successful the result will be. The treatment, as a rule, is complex, aimed both at getting rid of the tick, and at raising immunity. If demodicosis is not treated, the disease will progress, pustules, scabs may appear, and the dog may even become completely bald.

A special risk zone for pugs' health is eyes, which are especially prone to various injuries, from pricking a blade of grass and getting foreign bodies to the eyeball falling out of its orbit as a result of an impact on something or an insect bite. If this situation happened and the eye literally popped out, you can’t try to correct it yourself, but you need to put a wet bandage on the injured eye and urgently deliver the dog to the veterinary clinic. It is common in pugs and glaucoma, which is also caused by structural features of the eye. The disease is very serious, can lead to blindness. There is also progressive retinal atrophy, trichiasis (the growth of eyelashes on the edge of the upper eyelid in the opposite direction), a twist of the eyelid.

Folds on the pug's face can also cause problems. With excessive growth of the fold near the eyes, chronic keratitis may develop, which is fraught with blindness. In such cases, in order to avoid dramatic consequences, the pug has to undergo plastic surgery and remove excess folds. The folds themselves also need systematic care. In its absence, inflammation can develop.

Pugs have a narrow auditory meatus, and as a consequence of this structural feature, otitis media are common. For prevention, it is necessary to regularly clean the ears.

There are such health problems with pugs as a cleft palate and a cleft lip. This is not a hereditary disease. It is caused by the excessive administration of the future mother of steroids, a violation of her vitamin A level or experienced stress.

Acquired or hereditary hermaphroditism may appear. External factors: diseases of a pregnant bitch, giving her anthelmintic or hormonal drugs during this period, vaccination.

Encephalitis has become the scourge of modern pugs. As a rule, it manifests itself at the age of 9 months to 4 years. The most common symptom is convulsions. The dog behaves strangely, the muscles tremble, and then the limbs become stiff, and the animal falls. Cramps resembling an epileptic seizure are possible. After this, the dog falls into prostration for several scratches, and may temporarily lose sight. Unfortunately, no treatment has been developed.

Because of the short face, pugs start to lose their teeth quite early.

There may be breathing problems, and problems with thermoregulation are fraught with overheating with prolonged exposure to heat and stuffiness.

An elongated soft palate affects the vocal apparatus of pugs and leads to respiratory failure, hyperventilation and collapse. Operation is possible.

The collapse of the trachea is a hereditary defect of pugs. Symptoms: hoarse breathing, barking (bubbling) cough. It is necessary to strictly control the weight of such dogs.

Pugs usually have good appetite, their metabolism is somewhat slowed down, and with excessive feeding and lack of motor activity, obesity begins. Therefore, care for the pug's health should include good nutrition, walks and active games.