13 HEALTH PROBLEMS PUGS CAN SUFFER FROM

Pugs are relatively healthy dogs, but just like any other breed, they are known to have certain health issues. 

Pugs are brachycephalic dogs (flat-faced) meaning, they are prone to health problems than other breeds are not. They are susceptible to skin problems, breathing issues, luxating patella, dental problems and etc.  As your Pug becomes older, they can start showing signs and symptoms of issues. The best way to care for your pet is to ensure that you have pet insurance and take them for routine preventative care checkups.  

This guide contains both general and common Pug health problems they can face. NOT all Pugs will suffer from all these problems, this guide is just meant to cover some general Pug health facts information.  

We are NOT veterinarians and you should always consult with your canine veterinarian to find out everything you need to know about Pugs and health problems.

One of the most common problems facing Pug owners is skin conditions. These skin conditions usually occur because of the folds in their skin, which make it the perfect environment for fungi and bacteria to grow.

As a Pug owner, you’ll want to make sure that you understand the importance of cleaning their wrinkles on a regular basis. If your best friend does suffer from skin conditions, it’s important to find the fix as quickly as possible.  Fixing the problem will not only alleviate the symptoms, but it will also prevent the problem from becoming worse.  

Here are 3 common skin conditions that you may have to face.  Pug Ringworm is a fungal infection that shows up as a ring-shaped lesion on the body. It will look like your pet has a bald patchy spot. Dogs with a low immune system are more prone to becoming infected with ringworm.

This fungus can be picked up anywhere like a dog park or just being outdoors in the soil. This fungus prefers warm, moist areas, which make your dog’s wrinkles the perfect breeding area.  Ringworm is contagious and your dog can spread this infection to you. If your dog does struggle with this condition, it’s important to wash your hands regularly and wash their pet bed, toys, and anything they have come into contact to ensure the fungus does not spread.  Treating this condition will vary depending on the severity of it. The best thing you can do is take your pet to the vet to determine how bad the condition is.  Allergies One of the signs you will notice if your Pug is suffering from allergies is they will constantly scratch or bite themselves. 

However, some Pugs are sensitive and are prone to Atopy, which is the tendency to develop allergic diseases such as asthma and atopic dermatitis (eczema), and allergic rhinitis. 

Demodectic Mange This is another common skin issue with sensitive Pugs. Demodectic Mange (demodicosis) is an inflammatory disease that is triggered by a Demodex mite.  Most dogs won’t be affected by mites, but if your Pug has a low immune system, they could be affected by this issue. If your dog suffers from this condition, you’ll notice skin lesions, skin infections, and hair loss (alopecia).

The lesions usually occur in small patches on the legs, torso, and face. You may even notice redness of the skin as well as lesions and scales on their body.  If Fido is dealing with this issue, you will want to take your dog to your veterinarian to have a skin scraping sample test. This will help determine what course of action should be taken to start treatment.  One of the best things you can do as a pet owner is to make sure that you’re using the right dog shampoo and cleaning their wrinkles on a regular basis.  

Pug Skin Cancer 

Pugs are prone to cancer, due to their genetics. In fact, many Pugs will develop cancer as they reach their golden years. Some younger Pugs may be prone to oral melanoma (skin cancer of the mouth) and mast cell tumors (extremely common in Pugs).

Some Pugs with elongated soft palates will have trouble breathing when they become overly excited or are exposed to hot temperatures for a period of time.  This breed will have more difficulty breathing than other dog breeds. You’ll notice that your dog makes a lot a lot of noises such as wheezing, panting, snoring, and snorting. (which can be scary and loud if you’re not expecting it.)  However, these are all a normal part of living with a brachycephalic breed. That’s why it’s important to understand the various types of respiratory problems you can face.  Pug Reverse Sneezing This is usually caused by an elongated palate that can obstruct the airway, which leads to uncontrollable sneezes, wheezes, and excessive gasps.  The sneezing and snorting can also be caused by a bacterial build up on the nose. This is common in this breed, due to the shape and moisture in the skin fold on the nose.  As a Pug owner, you’ll want to make sure that you’re regularly cleaning around your pet’s nose.  If your furbaby is having trouble breathing, you will need to take them to your veterinarian. They may have to perform surgery to correct the nasal passage to improve the airways. This is why it’s so important to make sure that you have proper pet insurance for your Pug to take care of these types of issues.

Your Pugs big cute eyes can be a problem and are known to lead to a number of health problems. Every dog is unique and not every Pug will suffer from eye issues. Mindy, never had to deal with any of these issues, as she got older, she did suffer from cataracts.  Cherry Eye The conditions of this symptom are it turns the eye really red or pink, kind of like a cherry. Cherry Eye is usually caused by an inflamed or infected tear duct.  The symptoms of Cherry Eye can lead to increased production of tears and pain for your pet. This condition can affect both eyes, but it’s very rare to affect both eyes simultaneously.  If your pet does suffer from this condition, you will need to contact your veterinarian. Most likely, they will have to perform surgery to remove the tear duct or put it back in the correct place.

Corneal Ulcers The cornea is a transparent membrane that covers and protects the outer surface of the eye. An ulcer is a damaged area of the cornea that can lead to infection, eye trauma or other illnesses.  

If your Pug is dealing with this issue, you will notice them squinting a lot, or not opening their eyes. It’s a very painful condition and will cause them to rub the infected area frequently.  This condition is usually treated when your vet prescribes pain-relieving medication, antibiotic drops, and possibly surgery, depending on the severity of the case.  Pugs are also prone to ocular proptosis, so it’s important to know about it.  Cataracts Just like humans, dogs can develop cataracts. As your pet becomes older, they are more prone to develop this condition. However, it can also be brought on by trauma, or diabetes. Read this article to learn about cataracts in Pugs.  When a dog struggles with this condition, they could suffer from blurry vision, some may even lose their sight completely. Mindy suffered from Glaucoma which is another condition of the eyes that dogs suffer as they age.

That cute curly tail Pug owners love is known to cause issues. As a pet owner, it’s important to know the types of issues that adorable curly tail can lead to as well as the body language you can expect to see from Fido of they are dealing with any of these issues.  Screw Tail This is usually caused by a malformation of one of several vertebrae in your pet’s tail. While it is possible to occur, it is more common in Bulldogs than it is the Pug breed.  Screw tail can lead to a painful and infected skin fold. This condition causes the anal passage to be partially blocked, which can causes infections due to the inability to use the bathroom properly.

People also refer to this condition as the corkscrew tail, tail fold intertrigo, ingrown tail, and tail fold dermatitis.

Limp Tail Pug owners tend to freak out when their dog’s tail is straight or down. It’s not uncommon for Fido’s tail to become limp or just go straight if they are resting or sleeping.  If you notice that this is happening a lot, it could be that your pet’s tail is fractured or broken.  If a Pug’s tail is broken, it will usually droop or hang right at the point of the break. Their tail can break if it gets caught in a door or they are playing rough with other dogs.  A fractured tail is painful and can hinder their coordination. It’s vital to correct this issue as soon as possible so their bones can be repositioned properly