Pug Puppies and Potential Problems

In many ways Pug Puppies are similar to a rescued Pug. With a rescued Pug you may or may not know what experiences the dog had so you need to exercise patience with him. With a puppy you know that everything will be new to him so, again, patience will need to be exercised. Something as simple as a stairway may baffle your new house member. Let your Pug take on these obstacles at his own pace. But there is one area in choosing a puppy that you want to spend some additional time. This concerns certain conditions that Pugs are susceptible to. Pug puppies are, indeed, delicate creatures!

Of particular importance is proper

veterinarian care for your Pug puppies. A good vet will be your best source of advice on the topics covered here. You will be adding greatly to the health of your Pug by adding to your own knowledge base when it comes to the health of your friend. When searching out the righ Pug to bring home your first source is finding the right breeder. But once your Pug is home you want to locate a good veterinarian. Your breeder is a good place to start and other Pug owners are a good source of information as well but, in the end, you are the one who needs to take ultimate responsibility for the care of your puppy. Part of accomplishing this worthwhile task is to read as much as much as you can on the subject of Pug Health Care.

As an overview, here are some of the health concerns you should keep in mind in your search through the world of Pug Puppies. There are books written on the health of your dog so consider the information here as a starting point in your research. Our philosophy is that you can never know too much about your Pug!

Eye Disorders

Not only are Pugs susceptible to eye injuries because of their prominence but there are also conditions that are more common to the breed. A reputable breeder will actually certify that their dogs are clear of some of these problems. There is actually a Canine Eye Registry Foundation that can give a breeder a clean bill of health for their dogs. Some of the eye conditions to be aware of are dry eye and cornea inflammation. With the dry eye, which is called Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS), the Pug is unable to produce enough tears to protect the eyes. If not treated the Pug can become prone to eye abrasions. A Schirmer Tear Test can be used to diagnose this condition.

Dark spots on the cornea may be a sign of a very serious condition and should be handled immediately. Pigmentary Karatitus, as it is called, can lead to blindness if the spots spread all the way across the cornea. As mentioned this can be serious so it should not be ignored. One other potential problem is when the Pug’s hair on its face or even the eyelashes rub against the eye. This can cause an irritation. Surgical removal of the hairs may actually be necessary.

Orthopedic Conditions

Hip problems are quite common in Pugs. Pug puppies can be checked for potential problems. There is an Orthopedic Foundation for Animals where breeders can send in X-rays of their dogs prior to breeding to help ensure that the pug puppies that come along will be as free of these conditions has possible. Dislocation of the hip, called Hip Dysplasia can be a very painful condition. Although glucosamine can help sometimes surgery is necessary so this is a condition that you want to be aware of.

Another condition called Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease is particularly common in toy breeds. Here there is an insufficient supply of blood going to the femur which can deteriorate into lameness. Dislocation of the kneecap is another problem to be aware of. The dislocation of the joint (called Luxating Patella) can sometimes go away by itself with the kneecap popping back into place but in some cases this is another condition that may lead to surgery.

Respiratory Problems

Pugs are a brachycephalic breed and the shortness or flatness of their nose and face can cause breathing problems. You can’t change this, this is the nature of the breed. But you want to be aware of potential problems and monitor your Pug closely. This can be especially troubling during hot weather because a dog pants to cool off. An elongated Soft Palate is another condition caused by the Pug’s head structure. This can cause a problem for the dog’s breathing and can result in an insufficient amount of air getting to the lungs.

Because they are especially prone to these problems, Pugs should not become overweight because this will just make these conditions worse. A particularly obese Pug can end up with a collapsed trachea or windpipe. A tight dog collar can cause this too and is one of the reason many Pug owners prefer a harness instead of a collar. All of these conditions are topics to discuss with your breeder. You can find out more about choosing a reputable dog breeder by clicking on the link below:

Things you should know about in selecting your breeder.