Christopher JA Wang asked:

Pug dogs, although extremely loyal to their owners and incredibly cute and friendly, often end up with some pretty serious health concerns. If you are a pug owner, or are thinking of adopting a pug dog sometime in the near future, there are some pug-specific health concerns that you will want to be aware of so you can keep your pug as healthy for as long as possible.

First, because of the pug’s smooshed-in facial appearance, which gives him those wrinkles, a pug is often prone to yeast infections within the folds of skin on the face. To keep your pug clean, comfortable, and infection-free, you will want to wash his deep nose-wrinkle at least once a day with a damp washcloth. While you are removing any debris with the wet washcloth, check for any signs of infection such as redness, crusting, or a foul smell. Clean his smaller face wrinkles in the same way.

Pugs’ little fold over ears are adorable. But they can also be a great hiding place for yeast. It is easy to check for problems in your pug’s ears, and you should do so once a day. Simply lift one ear at a time, gently. Look inside for any signs of redness or excess buildup. You will also want to give each ear the “sniff test”. If there is a problem, you will smell a somewhat musty, earthy odor, and there will likely be some dark brown or black build-up inside the ear canal.

Regular ear cleanings can help prevent your pug from developing an ear infection in the first place. Ask your veterinarian for a safe ear cleaning solution. Often the ones sold at pet stores are filled with alcohol, which will only sting and burn your pug’s ears instead of gently cleaning. With the veterinarian-recommended cleaner, squirt a small amount of the liquid into one ear at a time. Close the ear and gently rub the ear against your pug’s head for a few seconds. You will hear a wet sound, which is the cleaner working its way into the ear canal. If your pug’s ears do not appear to be that dirty, simply allow him to shake his head several times (he will do this instinctively) and that will shake loose the cleaning solution and any debris as well. However, if his ears seem to be filled with build-up, use a large cotton ball or cotton cleaning pad rolled up. Insert it into his outer ear area with your finger tip, gently roll it around for a few seconds, and remove it. If it is covered with brown or black debris, repeat until it comes out clear.

One of todays most popular dog breeds is the Pug and anyone who is thinking about adding one to their family should become familiar with the specifics of pug dog health care.

This breed has been known to man for over three thousand years, and is a member of the AKC Toy group where it was first recognized in 1885. This breed is one of the most easily recognized with it’s flat wrinkly face, thickset body, and curly tail. Pugs generally weigh between 13 and 20 pounds and are about 10 to 14 inches tall.

This is one of the cutest dog breeds but some of the very things which make a pug so cute and adorable are also the very things that require a little bit of extra care in order to avoid some of the health problems specific to the breed.

First, there is the dog’s wrinkly skin. Unfortunately, your pug’s adorable skin folds are prone to infection — you must consult your veterinarian immediately at the first signs of infection. You should bathe and clean your pug regularly — particularly making sure you clean in between the wrinkles, removing any dirt or debris because that can cause bacteria build up (which could lead to infection).

Another factor which could cause pug dog health problems is its eyes. Because of its peculiar shape and location on the face, the pug’s eyes are not protected properly and are prone to injury and other problems. Look for any inflammation in the eye regularly and take the dog to the Vet immediately if you identify any problem in the surrounding area.

If allowed, pugs will eat to excess. Watch your pet’s food intake carefully to keep him at a healthy weight — being overweight could adversely affect a pets health as much as it would a person’s.

Pugs are very sensitive to heat and humidity, so don’t leave your dog outdoors without shade or locked in a car during the summer. An overheated pug can have a hard time breathing, so make sure that you don’t leave him anywhere where he might be subjected to high heat for any length of time.

Of course, like any dog, taking proper care of your pug and taking him to the vet for regular visits is the best way to insure good pug dog health. Take care of your pug responsibly and you’ll have your companion healthy and happy for many years to come.

By: Lee Dobbins

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