Be Aware Of These Pug Health Problems | Dogs

By LeeDobbin
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When thinking of a dog to adopt many people want something cute and small ergo they think of a pug - compact, cute, flat faced and more than eager to make you happy. However before you rush off to the rescue to find your perfect puppy you should be aware of some of the more serious Pug health problems. The breed is prone to skin problems and the puppy should be checked very carefully for a form of puppy mange known as demodex, also the adorable flat face opens the breed up to breathing problems and eye problems later in life.

An adorable feature of a pug is the flat face however what makes it so attractive also causes several of its problems. The face is so small and flat that the eyes are literally too large for the sockets giving them a semi bugged out appearance. This keeps them from being protected inside the skull and opens them up to ulcers on the cornea that they can develop by accidentally rubbing their eyes against objects. This is not a life threatening problem but it does cause discomfort and sometimes blindness so their eyes should be checked on a regular basis.

The Pug's face shape can be related to the problem of an elongated soft palate. In a Pug, this soft tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth can be longer than it should be, and can restrict the airway. The wheezing and odd breathing that is common in Pugs can be one symptom. It may also cause loud snoring and coughing up their food. Thankfully this can be corrected with surgery.

There are however, two Pug health problems that are a lot more serious in nature.

If your dog shows the signs of muscle weakness or has difficulty is simply taking a walk, he/she may show signs of this disease called Pug Dog Encephalitis which affects the brain through inflammation. If your Pug is around the age(s) of 2 or 3 and shows these signs you should take your dog to the Vet as quickly as possible as it is known as a killer among the Pug community

Hemi-vertebrae is a birth defect in Pugs. The vertebrae don't grow the way they should and this causes andimbalance in the spine. The pressure on the spine from this imbalance can cause the back legs to be paralyzed as the dog grows. Fortunately, the condition can be found on an X-ray, so you don't adopt a dog with the problem. If you do have a Pug with the condition, he'll probably have to be put to sleep because there aren't many treatments for it.

Pug health problems are something that any one considering getting a Pug should think about. Luckily, these problems are not common, so don't obsess about them too much when making your decision.

About the Author

At http://www.pugdoghealth.com you can learn more about these pug health problems as well as get info on the breed and learn how to care for and train your pug.

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