Pug, their name itself brings smiles to our faces. Their signature features of big eyes, small size, short snout, and wrinkled face make them popular as well as more prone to certain health issues than other breeds. Pet insurance can help you take care of some expenses and relieve you from hefty medical charges.

Every pug owner should be aware of the common health issues, to take prompt action if they see any symptoms in their furry babies. Let us discuss 5 common health issues with pugs and learn how to deal with them.

1. Breathing issues

Pug’s characteristic short nose, reduced skull length, and excess of soft tissues in air passage can obstruct the normal airflow, causing breathing difficulty. This is Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS), the most common health issue in pugs. Initial signs of BAOS are struggling to breathe even with light to moderate exercises. You need to consult your vet immediately if you see your furry buddy gasping for air. Sometimes surgery may be required; but the good news is that you can control this condition by helping your furry buddy to be cool in hot weather, reducing the amount of exercise, keeping their diet healthy for proper weight, and giving them lots of water. Do always monitor their breathing, especially during exercise and extreme weather changes.

2. Eye issues 

The cute bulging eyes are other classic characteristics of pugs. As they are big and bulging, there is a high possibility of them getting hurt while playing or while running around the house. Furniture accidents are the most common cause of eye trauma in pugs. Another problem with these adorable eyes is allergic reactions to the air, dust, and surrounding weather. They can have dry, irritated, and itchy eyes more often as they are anatomically inefficient to blink properly. Eye ulcers and conjunctivitis are also common in them. 

If you notice your dog blinking more than usual, pawing its face, having weepy eyes, unexplained eye discharge, discoloration, or spots in the eyes then it is time to run to your vet and get it sorted before its progression. Many eye problems can be sorted out by treatments with topical ointments or drops. 

3. Ortho issues

Pugs are compact-sized dogs with small legs to bear the weight of the body. This often tends to put extra pressure on their knees leading to a condition called Luxating Patella, in which their knees tend to dislocate. The basic signs are hopping, jumping, difficulty in sitting down and getting up, and preferring one-leg use. This condition is triggered mostly by excess weight gain, thus try to feed them a healthy and well-balanced diet to keep them at their proper weight.

Your furry friend loves to jump and play games, but try to avoid jumping as it can put a lot of pressure on the spine and can cause injuries and pain which can lead to loss of hind leg functions, thus walking disability. Consult your vet immediately if notice any walk changes in them.

4. Skin issues 

Face wrinkles and skin fold of pugs makes them super attractive. These skin areas can harbor many bacteria causing skin infections like Pyoderma. Pimples, red small bumps, and blood-filled blisters around the lips are some signs of it. Your vet will recommend some topical ointments and diet changes to help cope with this condition. 

Demodectic mange is another skin problem your furry baby can have. It is caused by parasites like mites and ticks that develop skin lesions, redness, and hair loss.

Maintaining good and healthy cleanliness habits can help you keep skin infections at the bay from your pug.

5. Encephalitis issues

It is mostly a hereditary issue in little pugs. Affected dogs can have seizures, run in circles, and have blindness which eventually leads to coma and then poor creature succumbs to it. Epilepsy can also be one of the causes of seizures, hence show your dog to the vet as soon as you notice the very first symptoms. Timely medications and proper care can keep these issues under control.

Pugs are generally happy, long-living, and healthy furry babies. Minor health issues can always be dealt with, with utmost care and love. After all, their love for us and ours for them is unconditional and above any issues to bother with.