Pug Dog Health Conditions

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.

If the pug's nostrils are narrow or constrained, he has a problem called "stenotic nares," which can strain his body and lead to an enlarged heart. This condition's symptoms include breathing through the mouth and foamy nasal discharge, and both can be corrected with surgery.

A condition in which the eyelids fold inward, causing eye trouble including ulcerations and scratches, is called entropion. 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. Having dry eyes can be defined as not being able to produce enough of your own tears to keep the eyes moist. 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.

One of the typical problems a lot of canines encounter is demodectic skin mites and they come in two types. In the first type, namely localized demodectic mange, which is that which shows up in tiny areas of skin minus hair, is found in canines less than one year old. The second form is generalized demodectic mange, which appears in one large patch of hairless but healthy looking skin and can appear in a dog of any age.

There are many more health conditions that you should look out for if you own or intend to own a pug, so if you suspect that your dog has any of the problems listed above or problems that may not be listed make an appointment with your vet and have your dog evaluated.