Staying up to date with common, let alone rare, health risks in susceptible dog breeds can be difficult. In this regular feature, our Educational Partner, International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD) signposts resources on a particular breed and highlights breed-specific diseases.
Meet – and consider Pugs – Update Your Knowledge!
This month we ask you not to ‘meet’ this breed but to really think about it. Pugs are delightful, funny dogs and their owners adore them. They are also brachycephalic dogs with serious issues including breathing, eye problems, and likely all of them have some degree of spinal malformation. Details and statistics are presented in the IPFD Get a GRIHP! on Pugs article. Unfortunately, research studies on BOAS and spinal problems have shown that owners often do not recognize disease.
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What more could individual veterinarians do? They could, eg, stop posting pictures of ‘cute’ Pugs on their websites; record all issues /participate in registries; educate every pug owner and never normalize compromised breathing, eyes, and movement; reconsider artificial insemination/caesarean sections on compromised dogs.
There are many countries where legislation is increasingly enforced or being considered relative to these issues. Brachycephalics are driving actions that will affect all dogs and all stakeholders in dog health and welfare. So please think about Pugs and the complex picture they represent.
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The International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD) is a non-profit working for dog health, well-being, and welfare. This article has been prepared by its CEO, Dr Brenda Bonnett, DVM PhD
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