PUG HEALTH GUIDE
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Pugs have large, expressive eyes but they can also have some serious eye problems that require treatment from your veterinarian and sometimes even a veterinary ophthalmologist. Everyone knows of a one-eyed Pug, so if you suspect your Pug has an eye problem, don’t hesitate to get professional care
Proptosis
Proptosis
Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF), Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), CHIC Testing, Eyes, Health, Health Testing, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), PDCA Home Page, Proptosis, Pug Health Guide
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Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca or KCS) and Pigmentary Keratopathy (PK)
Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF), Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), CHIC Testing, Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca or KCS), Eyes, Health, Health Testing, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), PDCA Home Page, Pigmentary Keratopathy (PK), Pug Health Guide
Entropion
Entropion
Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF), Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), CHIC Testing, Entropion, Eyes, Health, Health Testing, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), PDCA Home Page, Pug Health Guide
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Dystichia
Dystichia
Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF), Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), CHIC Testing, Dystichia, Eyes, Health, Health Testing, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), PDCA Home Page, Pug Health Guide
Corneal Ulcers
Corneal Ulcers
Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF), Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), CHIC Testing, Corneal Ulcers, Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca or KCS), Dystichia, Entropion, Eyes, Health, Health Testing, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), PDCA Home Page, Pigmentary Keratitis (PK), Proptosis, Pug Health Guide
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Pug Neurology
We're not talking about how smart and trainable Pugs are, but rather some serious problems that can occur in the central nervous system or brain of the Pug. For information about Pug Myelopathy (rear limb weakness/paralysis) click here. 
Epilepsy, Health, Neurology, Pug Health Guide, Seizures
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Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE)
Click above for more on PDE Download this file for the Protocol for PDE Necropsy Donations. 
Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), CHIC Testing, Dr. Renee Barber DVM, Health, Health Testing, Neurology, PDCA Home Page, Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE), Pug Health Guide, Seizures, University of Georgia
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Pug Orthopedics
While Pugs tend to be sturdy little dogs, they can face some serious problems with their bones and legs.
While Pugs tend to be sturdy little dogs, they can face some serious problems with their bones and legs.
Hemivertebrae
Health, Health Testing, Hemi-Vertebrae, Orthopedics, PDCA Home Page, Pug Health Guide |
Hip Dysplasia
Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), CHIC Testing, Health, Health Testing, Hip Dysplasia, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), Orthopedics, PDCA Home Page, Pug Health Guide |
Legg-Perthes
Health, Health Testing, Legg-Perthes, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), Orthopedics, PDCA Home Page, Pug Health Guide |
Luxating Patellas
Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), CHIC Testing, Health, Health Testing, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), Orthopedics, Patellar Luxation, PDCA Home Page, Pug Health Guide |
Allergies
Some Pugs can get seasonal allergies. They often are quite itchy and sometimes chew their feet. This can start out during a limited time of the year but it can also expand to problems year round. Sometimes antihistamines, steroids and special shampoos are needed. A veterinary dermatologist can test your dog to see what the offending substances are and make up special allergy injections to desensitize your dog. Food allergies aren’t terribly common but a trial on a hypoallergenic diet might be ordered by your vet.
Some Pugs can get seasonal allergies. They often are quite itchy and sometimes chew their feet. This can start out during a limited time of the year but it can also expand to problems year round. Sometimes antihistamines, steroids and special shampoos are needed. A veterinary dermatologist can test your dog to see what the offending substances are and make up special allergy injections to desensitize your dog. Food allergies aren’t terribly common but a trial on a hypoallergenic diet might be ordered by your vet.
Allergies, Health, PDCA Home Page, Pug Health Guide
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Cheyletiella (Walking Dandruff), Health, PDCA Home Page, Pug Health Guide
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Demodectic Mange, Health, PDCA Home Page, Pug Health Guide
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Health, PDCA Home Page, Pug Health Guide, Staph Infections
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Health, PDCA Home Page, Pug Health Guide, Yeast Infections
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PUG MYELOPATHY
Pug Myelopathy is a recently recognized spinal condition believed unique in Pugs. It is called by several terms, and it is most often referred to as “Pug Myelopathy”. Pug Myelopathy is considered the most frequent cause of rear limb incoordination (ataxia) and progression of paralysis of the rear limbs over a period of one to four years. Originally referred to as “Weak Rear”, this has become a widespread problem in Pugs. The rear legs appear to be weak, but the cause is a neurological deficit that develops in the spine. Affected dogs may initially drag their feet, stagger, have trouble jumping and can be fecal and urinary incontinent. It usually affects just the rear limbs, unlike a very different disease, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), which can have similar initial signs, but progresses tragically to complete paralysis and death. In Pug Myelopathy, we are learning there is usually a complex of spinal abnormalities that involve both the vertebral bones, and can also involve compression of the spinal cord. The compression can be caused by one (or multiple lesions) that include one or multiple sites of chronic Hansen type II intervertebral disc disease (IVDD); spinal arachnoid diverticulum (SAD); spinal cord atrophy; and fibrosis of the arachnoid layer of the meninges. Unraveling the relationships between these conditions is one goal of the research at Michigan State University funded by the Pug Dog Club of America.
Other names that refer to Pug myelopathy include “Pug constrictive myelopathy (CM)”, “facet hypoplasia”, “subarachnoid diverticulum (SAD)” and others. Although little is published about this condition, Pug Myelopathy may be the most common cause of mid-back spinal cord problems in Pugs.
Another good description of the disease is provided by Southeast Veterinary Neurology, Wong M, (2017). Case History of Surgical Treatment for Pug Myelopathy. [video] Available at: www.sevneurology.com/patients/wellington/ [Accessed 10 Jul. 2017].
Many veterinarians are not yet knowledgeable about this condition, as published information is not yet widely available. Pugs with rear limb ataxia may have had a previous diagnosis that was incomplete in light of this evolving information. Since so little is known, there is no consensus among neurologists about the best way to treat it. Surgery may be appropriate for individual cases, but it must be considered as soon as possible, after symptoms first occur, and may only delay progression of paralysis.
The most important palliative treatment appears to be consistent physical therapy using rehabilitation exercises to preserve muscle strength and enhance development of a spinal walk. A wheeled cart, carefully fitted by a knowledgeable professional, may improve their ability to walk. Other forms of integrative medicine can enhance their ability and desire to stay mobile. Pugs affected with Pug Myelopathy are usually pain free and can lead excellent long lives with good nursing care. All senior Pugs require periodic wellness exams to detect and alleviate other problems of aging using medication and/or supplements. It is critical the Pug is carefully monitored for its ability to completely empty the urinary bladder several times a day. Several other well documented conditions in Pugs also cause symptoms of ataxia, including hemivertebrae (usually young dogs); acute sudden onset Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) or “slipped disc” – (usually painful); spinal cord tumors; and spinal arthritis in elder dogs. It is important to have your primary care veterinarian arrange a referral for your Pug for an examination by a board certified veterinary neurologist or surgeon when symptoms of ataxia first appear.
For More Information about Pug Myelopathy
Kathleen L. Smiler, DVM, DACLAM
PO Box 429
Lakeville, MI 48366
248-953-3182 FAX 248-751-5900
smilerk@mindspring.com
pugrearataxiaparalysis.com/ (Under Construction)
www.facebook.com/Pug-Dog-Health-Rear-AtaxiaParalysis-218123938233440/
Pug Myelopathy Project at MSU on AVMA Clinical Study Database: ebusiness.avma.org/aahsd/study_search_detail.aspx?sid=312
Wonderful Support Group www.facebook.com/groups/wheeliepugs/
Other names that refer to Pug myelopathy include “Pug constrictive myelopathy (CM)”, “facet hypoplasia”, “subarachnoid diverticulum (SAD)” and others. Although little is published about this condition, Pug Myelopathy may be the most common cause of mid-back spinal cord problems in Pugs.
Another good description of the disease is provided by Southeast Veterinary Neurology, Wong M, (2017). Case History of Surgical Treatment for Pug Myelopathy. [video] Available at: www.sevneurology.com/patients/wellington/ [Accessed 10 Jul. 2017].
Many veterinarians are not yet knowledgeable about this condition, as published information is not yet widely available. Pugs with rear limb ataxia may have had a previous diagnosis that was incomplete in light of this evolving information. Since so little is known, there is no consensus among neurologists about the best way to treat it. Surgery may be appropriate for individual cases, but it must be considered as soon as possible, after symptoms first occur, and may only delay progression of paralysis.
The most important palliative treatment appears to be consistent physical therapy using rehabilitation exercises to preserve muscle strength and enhance development of a spinal walk. A wheeled cart, carefully fitted by a knowledgeable professional, may improve their ability to walk. Other forms of integrative medicine can enhance their ability and desire to stay mobile. Pugs affected with Pug Myelopathy are usually pain free and can lead excellent long lives with good nursing care. All senior Pugs require periodic wellness exams to detect and alleviate other problems of aging using medication and/or supplements. It is critical the Pug is carefully monitored for its ability to completely empty the urinary bladder several times a day. Several other well documented conditions in Pugs also cause symptoms of ataxia, including hemivertebrae (usually young dogs); acute sudden onset Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) or “slipped disc” – (usually painful); spinal cord tumors; and spinal arthritis in elder dogs. It is important to have your primary care veterinarian arrange a referral for your Pug for an examination by a board certified veterinary neurologist or surgeon when symptoms of ataxia first appear.
For More Information about Pug Myelopathy
Kathleen L. Smiler, DVM, DACLAM
PO Box 429
Lakeville, MI 48366
248-953-3182 FAX 248-751-5900
smilerk@mindspring.com
pugrearataxiaparalysis.com/ (Under Construction)
www.facebook.com/Pug-Dog-Health-Rear-AtaxiaParalysis-218123938233440/
Pug Myelopathy Project at MSU on AVMA Clinical Study Database: ebusiness.avma.org/aahsd/study_search_detail.aspx?sid=312
Wonderful Support Group www.facebook.com/groups/wheeliepugs/
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Dr. Kathleen Smiler’s Pug, Lily, was affected in 2005 with an almost unknown rear limb weakness at age 7. She was fortunate to find knowledgeable diagnosis and treatment for Lily. In the past 11 years Kathleen has increased awareness, and developed resources for Pug owners to provide long term home nursing care for their own disabled dogs.
Dr. Smiler is a 1970 graduate of the Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Her work experience in research gives her an opportunity to combine purebred dog practice with basic investigative science. She has held offices in many veterinary medical organizations, and is currently the Michigan Delegate to the AVMA. She and her husband Joel, also a veterinarian, have time in retirement to work to reduce the prevalence of this very complex Pug condition. |