Common Health Issues For Pugs – Forbes Advisor

Pugs are among the most distinctive-looking dog types. They’re loved for their bug eyes, curly tail, crushed face and folds of skin. Their characters are likewise captivating. Pugs tend to be active, charming, caring and excited to please.

However, a number of the pug’s specifying qualities likewise cause unique health problems. Infact, due to the fact that pugs tend to have many health issue, they can no longer be thought about a “typical dog from a health perspective,” according to a 2022 research study in Canine Medicine and Genetics. If you still choose to adopt or buy a pug, informing yourself about these health issues and how to avoid them is vital to offering it with the very best care.

Common Health Issues for Pugs

Because pugs are at high danger of establishing health problems, you’ll wish to know all the most typical ones. Sadly, some don’t have a remedy and can’t be prevented due to their hereditary nature—however others can be avoided with care and correct care.

An adult pug needs to be required to the veterinarian a minimum of as soon as a year, however for senior dogs over 8 years of ages, you might wish to take them every 6 months. Keep in mind that you might likewise require to go regularly if your pug has any of these health conditions.

1. Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)

Pugs are a brachycephalic (short-muzzled) breed, which suggests they are vulnerable to Brachycephalic obstructive respiratory tract syndrome (BOAS). This breathing condition is long-lasting, progressive and in serious cases, can reduce the dog’s life expectancy. A pug has BOAS when it has several respiratory tract irregularities. Usually, these consist of stenotic (narrowed) nostrils, an extended soft taste buds, a bigger tongue and a lowered size of the windpipe.

“The elongated soft palate covers their airway. So when you open their mouth, it’s like a frog,” discusses Lindsay Butzer, DVM, a vet at Clint Moore Animal Hospital in Boca Raton, Florida. “You have to really pull their tongue down to get it out of the airway. So when they’re hot, they can’t really get air in.”

BOAS can’t be avoided due to the pug’s anatomy—they’re almost 54% most likely to establish this syndrome than non-pugs, according to a 2022 research study of U.K. pugs released in Canine Medicine and Genetics. However, other brachycephalic types such as French Bulldogs, Boxer Dogs, Boston Terriers and Shih Tzus are most likely to have BOAS too.

Get a sense of your pug’s danger of BOAS early on by examining its nostrils. A visual scale released in PLoS One reveals variations of a pug’s stenotic nostrils to help you comprehend your pug’s possibility of BOAS. Your pug might likewise be more vulnerable to BOAS if it’s female or obese.

After your pug turns 1, you can have it examined by a veterinarian for BOAS. Some signs consist of problem working out, level of sensitivity to heat, loud and labored breathing, food poisonings like throwing up, coughing and sleep apnea.

BOAS can position extra pressure on the heart and increase a pug’s danger of hypertension so it’s important to talk to a veterinarian and evaluation services. Mild cases can be handled with minimal workout, weight-loss if your pug is obese and preventing hot temperature levels and tension.

“Be really careful with them in the summer months—[don’t] exercise them too much outside. They need to [be] in cool environments, in the A/C,” encourages Butzer.

Oxygen treatment and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might likewise be recommended for short-term relief. For severe cases where the dog is having a hard time to breathe, surgical treatment can enhance air flow in the nostrils and reduce an extended soft taste buds.

2. Cancer (Oral Melanoma and Mast Cell Tumors)

Cancer is the leading cause of death for pugs. Mast cell growths (MCTs) are a kind of skin cancer that prevail in middle- to senior-aged dogs (little dogs are elders at 11 to 12 years of ages.) A 2006 research study released in Veterinary and Comparative Oncology discovered that 56% of pugs had MCTs. Golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, Boston terriers and fighters are likewise regularly impacted.

MCTs are believed to be brought on by ecological and genetic aspects. The most specifying sign of a mast cell growth is a red or inflamed swelling that appears to grow and smaller sized at various periods. “The mast cells are allergy cells that live dormant and they [tend to] flare up and calm down,” says Butzer, explaining that that is why you might discover the swelling one day however then it’s no place to be discovered the next day.

Unfortunately, the swelling is truly the only visible sign. Sometimes however, ulcers can form in your pug’s stomach or intestinal tracts. At that point, you might observe throwing up, anorexia nervosa, sleepiness or black stool.

Treatment includes surgical elimination of the malignant mass. Dogs will generally recuperate rapidly, with a two-week healing time, says Butzer. For major growths, chemotherapy or radiation treatment will likely be suggested after the surgical treatment.

Oral cancer malignancy is among the most frequently identified oral growths for dogs. Although it generally impacts dogs around 11 years of age, it’s a typical health problem in younger pugs (little dogs are thought about young if they’re under 11 years of ages.)

In a 2022 critique of oral cancer malignancy released in Veterinary Sciences, it was discovered that dogs with greatly pigmented oral mucosa, or the “skin” lining the mouth, have actually an increased danger of establishing oral cancer malignancy. Pugs fall under this classification due to the fact that “they have black gums, [and due to this], the pigment has more melanocytes, [cells that produce melanin]. [So there’s] a higher chance of these melanocytes tipping off and turning into cancer cells,” discusses Butzer.

You’ll understand if your pug has oral cancer malignancy due to the fact that it will have a bleeding mass in the mouth or a swelling on the cheek. Your puppy might likewise show an anorexia nervosa, increased drooling, facial swelling and halitosis.

Treatment needs surgically getting rid of the mass or swelling. After, chemotherapy or radiation treatment will be required to more eliminate the cancer.

3. Patellar Luxation

Patellar luxation is a clinical term for a slipped kneecap, and pugs are among the types more than likely to be impacted. This frequently appears as a hereditary problem however it can take place later on in life due to injury.

Patellar luxation happens when a kneecap slips out of the grove, triggering your pug to have instability in its leg. The primary sign you’ll witness in your puppy is an avoiding or hopping motion as they stroll.

“They can live with [patellar luxation] but they’re going to limp. It [becomes] painful too, because they [will] develop arthritis in their knees,” says Butzer, suggesting surgical treatment to pop the kneecap back in location.

However, she says if surgical treatment isn’t possible at the minute, it’s important to keep your pug’s “weight down as much as possible and start it on glucosamine supplements.” The supplements help by promoting cartilage development in the kneecaps and calming the discomfort—however make certain to contact a veterinarian prior to doing so.

4. Hip Dysplasia and Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease

There are 2 primary problems that can impact pugs’ hips. The initially is hip dysplasia, a hereditary illness that impacted 71% of pugs, according to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. As a pug becomes an adult, its hip joint is expected to grow properly also. However, with hip dysplasia, the ball and socket joint that comprise the hip joint don’t grow at the very same time, triggering looseness.

Due to this, “they will have a limping gait or it’ll be painful for them to get up and down,” Butzer discusses. Signs of hip dysplasia can be observed when pugs have to do with a couple of months old, however they’re most likely to appear when they’re 1 or 2 years of ages.

Hip dysplasia will result in degenerative joint illness or osteoarthritis so it’s required to get it identified early so a veterinarian can help your pug lead a much better lifestyle. Most dogs with moderate cases can cope with the condition by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

They might likewise take “veterinary-approved glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and omega-3 fatty acid nutritional supplements,” according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Physical treatment might likewise be suggested. Surgery might be needed for more serious cases or if NSAIDs aren’t reliable.

The 2nd problem impacting a pug’s hips is Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease. This condition appears in other lap dog types also and is believed to be brought on by blood circulation problems to the thigh bone’s head in a dog’s hind leg. This results in the disintegration of the hip joint and after that osteoarthritis.

It’s an unpleasant condition so you’ll discover your pug dragging its legs, lameness or wincing and other indications of discomfort when moving its hip joint. If you presume your pug has this condition, a veterinarian will take X-rays to detect it.

Usually, this illness will need surgical treatment, followed by great deals of workout and physical treatment. However, there are some cases where the condition can be handled with pain relievers and cold treatment, which includes utilizing ice bag or industrial gels to lower swelling and discomfort.

5. Corneal Ulcers, Entropion and Dry Eye

Pugs’ eyes are typically adoringly described as “bug eyes” due to their large nature. While they can be charming, their size makes pugs and other brachycephalic types more susceptible to eye infections.

Additionally, pugs normally have eyelids that are too wish for their eyes and bottom eyelids that roll inward, so their eyelashes can scratch the cornea. The inward rolling of the eyelid is called entropion and is a genetic condition (however surgical treatment can remedy it.) All of these aspects make it difficult for Pugs to blink appropriately.

When a pug’s eye gets scratched, upset or contaminated—either by itself or by a branch, eyelash, dirt, hair shampoo or something else—it can result in a corneal ulcer, an injury on the cornea. This can likewise happen as an outcome of Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) or persistent dry eye, which pugs are genetically inclined to.

When a dog has a corneal ulcer, its eyes will appear red, inflamed or cloudy. You might likewise identify white, yellow or green discharge exuding out of them. Corneal ulcers are typically extremely unpleasant for dogs, so you might witness them squinting, rubbing their eyes, blinking consistently or keeping their eyes closed.

Treatment for corneal ulcers differs based upon seriousness. For easy cases, broad-spectrum topical prescription antibiotics and topical discomfort medications might be recommended. In severe cases where the eye is endangered, a conjunctival flap or graft might be crucial. This surgical treatment includes developing a stalk of the conjunctiva (thin membrane that covers the white of the eye) and connecting it to the corneal ulcer. Recovery generally takes 6 to 8 weeks.

If the ulcer is deep, it can trigger the eye to burst. In these cases, the eye might need to be surgically gotten rid of.

When a pug has dry eye it will appear red and inflamed, and they might squint, blink consistently or hold their eyes shut. There might likewise be a thick yellow discharge present. Corneal scarring might establish which looks like a dark movie covering the eyes or a dull look.

Treatment for dry eye needs long-lasting treatment and consists of everyday anti-infective eye drops to promote tear production. Tear replacement lubricating drops might likewise be required and need application every 2 to 6 hours.

Preventative procedures consist of not letting your pug hang its go out the car window, as particles can fly into its eye. Similarly, if going on a walk, think about dog safety glasses to protect their eyes. To avoid extreme dry eye signs, you can start your pug on non-prescription synthetic tears and eye lubes because pugs are understood to get dry eye—simply make certain to discuss it with a veterinarian initially.

“I recommend [lubricating] a pug[‘s eyes] twice a day, morning and night, to help it have clear eyes as it ages,” suggests Butzer. Lubricating eye drops can be found at most pet stores. Do not use eye drops meant for humans.

6. Skin Fold Dermatitis and Infections

Although humans may love to kiss the wrinkles on a pug’s face, they can actually become a convenient place for infections. This is seen in other wrinkly dogs too such as Shar-peis and in short-nosed dogs like bulldogs.

“They have folds on their face that can become brown with tear stains and accumulate yeast and bacteria,” explains Butzer, adding that the folds on the body can become hotbeds for bacteria too.

Infections begin with skin dermatitis, which means that the skin becomes inflamed. This occurs when moisture and buildup get trapped in the skin folds, which leads to the growth of bacteria. During this stage, you’ll notice your pug scratching, rubbing or licking the area. You may also smell the infection as it produces a yeasty odor.

If the dermatitis advances, it can evolve into a pyoderma infection. With this, you’ll notice more severe signs such as oozing pus, swelling, redness or slimy skin. Your pug may also exhibit low energy, loss of appetite or tremors.

Pugs are also at high-risk for staph infections, which can be transmitted from animal to animal and even to humans in rare cases. Symptoms can include fever, loss of appetite, scratching, pus-filled lesions and “infections of the eyes, skin, ears or respiratory system,” according to petMD.

Treatment will include antibiotics, antifungals and anti-itch medication if your pug can’t stop picking at the infection. Topicals such as medicated shampoo, medicated spray or Epsom salt foot soaks may also be suggested, especially if your pug has recurrent infections.

Butzer says that most infections can be prevented by using medicated wipes to clean your pug’s folds daily. Alternatively, you can use a damp washcloth or unscented baby wipes to wipe away any debris or dirt. Be sure to dry them well after cleaning, though. Regular baths (every one to three months) are another way to ensure your pug’s folds stay clean.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Common Health Issues for Pugs?

Many of the best pet insurance companies frequently cover the common health issues for pugs. A typical pet insurance policy may pay for costs related to:

• Accidents and injuries.
• Chronic illnesses, such as dry eye.
• Common illnesses, such as skin allergies.
• Serious illnesses like cancer.
• Hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia.
• Testing and diagnostics such as X-rays or MRIs.
• Medical procedures like hospitalizations or surgeries.
• Holistic and alternative procedures.
• Wellness procedures like neutering and routine wellness exams.
• Behavioral therapy to help with mischievousness.
• Prescription medications.
• Prescription food and supplements.
• Microchip implantation.

However, preexisting conditions, experimental treatment, grooming, dental cleanings, food and dietary supplements and non-veterinary expenses such as a dog license typically aren’t covered.

While you’re investigating which pet insurance policy is best for your pug, double-check what the various companies and plans cover.

Are Pugs the Right Breed for Me?

With proper socialization, pugs are understood for getting along well with babies, other dogs and even cats. They’re able to fit in with pretty much any lifestyle due to their friendly, spunky, loyal and energetic temperament.

“A pug is normally very happy and they have a lot of bouncy energy,” Butzer says. “I recommend them as a first family dog.”

As for exercise, pugs don’t need a ton. Up to one hour per day is sufficient, says the U.K.’s The Kennel Club. Of course, if your pug has breathing difficulties such as BOAS, you’ll want to have it exercise a little less and mainly indoors to help reduce the risk of heat stroke.

Pugs can be a bit stubborn and easily distracted when it comes to training. “They’re a companion breed, so they’re not a breed that was bred to work. It makes them kind of stubborn,” explains Butzer. With lots of treats and consistency, though, training is possible.

Because pugs are susceptible to a slew of health issues, it’s critical to be prepared not only with knowledge but with a great pet insurance policy. Pugs are high-maintenance when it comes to their health so you’ll have to be attentive to their needs and quirks. This will include daily cleansing of their face and wrinkles as well as daily teeth brushing. Pugs are quite prone to periodontal disease.

Moreover, you’ll want to keep them out of the heat and other humid conditions as much as possible. If you live in a tropical climate, be sure that they’re getting lots of time in the A/C or shade instead of direct sunlight.

Pug Health Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)