There are always some minor
health issues with any family pet. But if the new
owner works with a reputable breeder and consults
regularly with the veterinarian, purebred dogs such
as the Pug can live long, healthy lives. It is
important to begin by purchasing your puppy from a
top breeder who has carefully selected healthy
breeding parents and given the young dogs excellent
nutrition and plenty of exercise.
But even the most careful of breeders and the most
watchful owner cannot prevent all health problems in
a purebred dog. The Pug is prone to a few
particular health conditions that owners should
be aware of. The first and foremost is obesity. The
Pug will overeat if the opportunity is there, so the
new owner would be wise to provide smaller portions
of food at regular times during the day. In
addition, the Pug is a small, stocky dog that does
not need a lot of vigorous exercise, but this should
not prevent you from taking your pet for regular
walks and giving the dog a chance to play in the
yard or the park.
Pug owners should also be
aware of potential for damage to the surface of the
prominent eyes of the breed. Corneal scratches can
be a serious problem for this dog. In addition, the
short snout does not provide much protection for the
eyes. This short snout can also be at the root of
breathing problems, especially in extremely cold or
extremely hot weather. Owners should always be
conscious of this.
Pugs can suffer from a form of brain inflammation
that is specific to this breed. The common name is
Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE). Most sources of
information on this disease state that there is no
known cure for PDE. The scientific name for the
condition is granulomatous meningoencephalitis. It
is believed to be inherited, so this may be one of
the topics you should discuss with the breeder as
you look at puppies. Any information you can gather
on this condition will be helpful later on.
Pugs may also be prone to a condition called
hemivertebrae. The condition known as screwtail is
just one obvious sign of this. But when
hemivertebrae occurs in the internal spine,
paralysis can result. This condition occurs when the
two parts of the vertebrae do not fuse properly
during development. The two halves grown unequally
and the resulting shape may put pressure on the
spine. Often the dog must be put to sleep, since
there is no other avenue for relief. The defect is
present at birth and is most common in short muzzled
dogs such as the Pug. X-ray evaluation on the very
young puppy can show this condition. It would be a
good idea to consult with your veterinarian and the
breeder about hemivertebrae.
There are a few other health issues new owners
should be aware of with Pugs. These include taking
care of the facial wrinkles on the unique face of
the breed. Dirt, carpet fuzz and other “stuff” can
get into the wrinkles and this needs to be cleaned
out. The idea is to avoid letting infections or
irritations start in this area. Another area that
new owners may not always be prepared for is
trimming the nails of the Pug. The claws/nails tend
to grow quite rapidly with this breed. However, the
nails should not be cut too closely because this can
cause damage and pain. If you are unsure, have
someone with experience take care of the trimming
while teaching you how to do it.
Some breed experts will also caution new owners to
be aware of the need for Cesarean Section when Pug
litters are born. This breed is not one that has a
particularly easy time with the birth of puppies. If
you are thinking about breeding your Pug later on,
you may want to talk at length with other breeders
or with veterinarians to make sure you are prepared
for any special situations that may arise.
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