Some Serious Pug Health Problems

Pugs have health problems that are unique to the breed and are usually hereditary. As a pug owner, you should be armed with proper knowledge and information regarding these pug health problems so that you can easily take action. Here is a list of some of the most common pug health problems.

•    Pug Dog Encephalitis. This is a usually terminal brain disease that affects both male and female pugs. Symptoms of this brain inflammatory are seizures, blindness, irregular gait, staring blankly, depression, and screaming, among others. Dogs that are younger than one year and older than five years are the ones usually affected by this disease.
•    Patellar Luxation. Patellar or more commonly known as kneecap is the part of the body that is affected by this defect. The kneecap in this condition tends to slip in and out of the tendon. Extreme kneecap luxation can cause bow-legged puppies. Surgery can correct this condition.
•    Dry Eye Syndrome. Technically called Keratoconjunctivitis or KCS, this condition can cause blindness. It is called as such because the dog’s eyes do not produce the normal amount of tears. Dogs with red and swollen eyes with some mucous discharge are some symptoms of this illness. Treatments for dry eye syndrome are surgery and some forms of medications.
•    Tracheal Collapse. This condition is caused by a narrow trachea or more commonly known as windpipe. This is a kind of respiratory illness and the symptoms are ragged breathing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Dogs should not be exposed to something which can cause discomfort to their lungs such as smoking or extreme temperatures.

These are some of the more serious pug health problems that your dog may get.  Don’t let that scare you away from adopting a pug, though as most will never have any of these problems!

Pug Health Problems that are Common

Pugs are so cute especially as puppies. It is the eyes and the little flat snouts that make them look so cute. Pug health problems that are more common will be listed. They do have some health problems that are attributed to Pugs as a breed, but also can be found in other breeds. One way to protect yourself is to buy from a reputable Pug breeder, who will have a family history on your pet. This does not mean that your pet will not become ill, but it will lessen the chance.

Pug Dog Encephalitis is an inflammatory brain disease that affects Pugs of both sexes. The disease was considered to affect just Pugs; however, a similar disease has been seen recently in Maltese, Pekingese and Yorkshire terrier breeds. If you have a Pug that is under one year or over 5 years that starts having seizures you should take your pet to the vet to have it checked out for this disease.

Hip Dysplasia is found mostly in bigger breed dogs, but it has also been found in Pugs. This is a debilitating disease to an animal. This is a painful disease, and you will start to see the effects of it when your Pug is still a puppy. There is no cure for this, and it does leave the dog disabled from being able to walk.

Tracheal Collapse is another one of the pug health problems to look out for.  It is caused by a narrowing of the windpipe due to a loss in rigidity of the cartlidge in some small breed dogs, like Toy Poodles, Yorkies, Miniature Pincher, Maltese, Chihuahuas and other small dog breeds. Symptoms include a cough, especially after exercise, noisy breathing and gagging, and a goose honk which is so named due to the sound.

This requires treatment for the life of your pet in most cases as it is progressive. It can be acquired or hereditary. Cushing’ disease can also cause it. There are medical treatments, which are cough suppressants, antibiotics, steroids, weight loss, and keeping your pet away from irritants. In severe cases surgery is needed to place a stent to hold the trachea open.

Other pug health problems that you may see are Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease which is a bone disease that small breed puppies, who weigh less than 24 pounds, can get. Intervertebral disk disease is common and can leave your pet in severe pain, loss of coordination and paralysis. It is most common in breeds of dogs called chondrodystrophoid breeds, like a Pekingese, Pug, Basset Hound, American Cocker spaniel, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Welsh Corgi; this is a serious health problem. These are just a few of the more common diseases that your Pug may be more subject to, but your pup may be just as subject to be healthy.

Serious Pug Health Problems

Pugs are so cute especially as puppies. It is the eyes and the little flat snouts that make them look so cute. Unfortunately, there are some Pug health problems that are commonly found in the breed. They do have some health problems that are attributed to Pugs as a breed, but also can be found in other breeds. One way to protect yourself is to buy from a reputable Pug breeder, who will have a family history on your pet. This does not mean that your pet will not become ill, but it will lessen the chance.

Pug Dog Encephalitis is an inflammatory brain disease that affects Pugs of both sexes. The disease was considered to affect just Pugs; however, a similar disease has been seen recently in Maltese, Pekingese and Yorkshire terrier breeds. If you have a Pug that is under one year or over 5 years that starts having seizures you should take your pet to the vet to have it checked out for this disease.

Hip Dysplasia is found mostly in bigger breed dogs, but it has also been found in Pugs. This is a debilitating disease to an animal. This is a painful disease, and you will start to see the effects of it when your Pug is still a puppy. There is no cure for this, and it does leave the dog disabled from being able to walk.

Another one of the pug health problems to look out for is called tracheal Collapse which is a narrowing of the windpipe due to a loss in rigidity of the cartlidge in some small breed dogs, like Toy Poodles, Yorkies, Miniature Pincher, Maltese, Chihuahuas and other small dog breeds. Symptoms include a cough, especially after exercise, noisy breathing and gagging, and a goose honk which is so named due to the sound.

This requires treatment for the life of your pet in most cases as it is progressive. It can be acquired or hereditary. Cushing’ disease can also cause it. There are medical treatments, which are cough suppressants, antibiotics, steroids, weight loss, and keeping your pet away from irritants. In severe cases surgery is needed to place a stent to hold the trachea open.

Other pug health problems that you may see are Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease which is a bone disease that small breed puppies, who weigh less than 24 pounds, can get. Intervertebral disk disease is common and can leave your pet in severe pain, loss of coordination and paralysis. It is most common in breeds of dogs called chondrodystrophoid breeds, like a Pekingese, Pug, Basset Hound, American Cocker spaniel, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Welsh Corgi; this is a serious health problem. These are just a few of the more common diseases that your Pug may be more subject to, but your pup may be just as subject to be healthy.

Common Pug Health Problems

When you are going to have your own Pug puppy, it is best to get it at a reputable breeder so you will be certain that the Pug that you will get is not prone to the usual Pug health problems. Moreover, some Pug could well be afflicted with a breed related health conditions, so acquiring a Pug through a reliable source will, at any rate help to lessen the risks.

Some health problems that your Pug could have if not given proper care are:

1. Skeletal problems like the hip dysplasia, inter-vertebral disk disease and patellar laxation.
2. And because Pug dogs have small pushed in face that crease, he may likely suffer from not being able to breathe normally, particularly when the climate is muggy or hot. Hence, he should be in a location that is neither too hot nor too cold.

Common Pug health problems that you must always check for symptoms include:

1. Colitis
2. anal sacs
3. ear infection
4. flea bite allergy
5. conjunctivitis
6. lameness
7. cataracts
8. skin problems
9. inter-digital cysts
10. tonsillitis
11. eye lid and eyelash problems
12. Pug dog encephalitis

Additionally, there are still other Pug health problems that you should be concerned about, they also have this legs related problem called slipped stifles and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.

A more acute Pug health problem is the severe ear infections. Symptoms of ear infection include extreme head shaking and scratching. By inspecting the ears once in a while for any swelling, redness or moisture will help you detect this serious problem early and give him proper treatment. Another one is the Tracheal collapse, this disease make the Pug’s windpipe to narrow and you will know if he has this when you notice the following: choking, raucous breathing, and coughing.

Lastly, the eye syndrome is considered the most common health problem that any Pug dog could have. This disease can possibly even blind a Pug, this happens when his tear production in the eyes has decreased. Without a doubt, this is the most serious case that must be given attention at once and which must be complemented with the correct Pug care too.