Particular Pug Dog Health Issues
Understanding pug dog health risk can actually save the life of your best friend, and if you are a dog lover you probably know that all dogs have certain health problems that need to be looked out for, especially when a dog gets into its older years, therefore if you know the specific risks for the type of dog you own you will know what to look for and how to got about taking care of the problem if it should come up.
Hip Dysplasia is actually a common problem among many dogs, particularly larger breeds, but pugs are also particularly susceptible to this condition. Hip Dysplasia occurs when there is some malformation of the hip joint and the femur bone does not fit correctly, which can cause the dog a lot of pain and in severe cases the dog may need surgery or have to be put down. A proper diet along with a pattern of exercises on a regular basis are the best methods for handling milder cases.
Pugs are prone to cardiac issues due to the strain put on their hearts, which become abnormally enlarged, by their nostrils. They oftentimes are constricted or narrow, a nasal abnormality is known as stenotic nares. This condition's symptoms include breathing through the mouth and foamy nasal discharge, and both can be corrected with surgery.
Entropion is a condition where the eyelids can roll inward causing the eye lashes to rub against the eye, which is a serious problem as it can cause ulcerations, scratches and irritation of the eye. The usual way to treat your puppy dog for this malady is surgery, but it's important to note early on the signs and symptoms for it to be successfully controlled.
Dry Eyes is another condition that can fairly commonly occur in pugs. Dry Eyes is a deficiency in producing enough tears to keep their eyes nice and lubricated. There are a few things that can cause the tear ducts not to produce enough tears, blockage of the duct, failure of the tear ducts or lack of nerve stimulation to the tear ducts, and treatment is dependent upon how severe the condition is.
There are two varieties of demodectic skin mites and they are a common problem with many dogs. There are several forms of mange, one seen in dogs of less than one year,is a localized demodectic mange, which appears on the skin as small hairless patches. The next type is typically characterized by demodectic mange manifested by large areas of healthy looking skin without hair and dogs of any age can have this.
If you currently own a pug or plan to in the future, there are many health problems that you should watch for; contact your vet if you suspect your dog may have any of the conditions listed above.
Dog health should be of primary concern to all dog owners. But particular dog breeds do have special health issues, and if you're a pug owner, you'll want to find out more about pug dog health issues.
Published June 19th, 2008
Filed in Pets