Pug Health Problems - Here are a Few Things to Watch out for

Pugs just like most small dogs have certain diseases that they are more prone to. Pug health problems are due to a variety of factors which are often hereditary or small breed related. Be sure when you are buying your puppy to find a reputable breeder that has a health history on their animals. This will help you to know some family history, however, does not exempt your puppy from getting a disease.

One common disease for Pugs is aptly named Pug Dog Encephalitis it is an inflammatory brain disease that can affect both male and female Pugs. The disease was once considered to affect only Pugs; however, a similar disease has been noted in the small dog breeds like Pekingese and Yorkshire terrier, and Pomeranian breeds. If you have a Pug that is under one year old or more than 5 years old and it starts having seizures you need to take your pet to the vet and have him tested for this disease.

There is a disease that is found mostly in bigger breed dogs, but it has also been found in Pugs. Hip Dysplasia is a disabling disease and another one of the pug health problems to look out for. It can be painful for your pet, and you will begin to see its effects when your Pug is still a puppy. There is not a known cure for this, and it does leave your pet disabled and unable to walk. There are no treatments other than for symptoms like treating the pain. This is something that you will need to discuss with your vet.

Tracheal Collapse is a disease that narrows the trachea or windpipe due to a loss of strength of the trachea cartlidge. This affects small breed dogs like Pugs, Yorkies, Miniature Pincher, Maltese, Chihuahuas and other small breed dogs. The signs and symptoms of this disease are a cough, especially after exercise or being in excessive heat or cold, noisy breathing and gagging, and a goose honk cough which is named because of the sound it makes. This will require treatment during your pet's life span. This is a progressive disease that can be acquired or hereditary.

Cushing disease can be a cause for this as well. There are some medical treatments and they are effective in 70% of these cases, the treatment includes steroids, cough suppressants, and antibiotics. Weight loss will help your pet if it is obese and keeping irritants away from your pet. In moderate to severe cases surgery is required and the vet will place a stent to hold the trachea open.

There are other diseases that can affect your animal as well. You can find a wealth of Information about pug health problems and other diseases that it might be prone to at your local library or on the internet. There are many diseases that any pet can develop; these are just a few that your dog may be prone to. Read more on Pug health problems.