If you concerned about your Pug’s eyes you can learn more about common Pug eye problems and treatments. This site will show to correctly treat and clean them to avoid the most common problems!
Why do Pugs have eye problems? What are some common Pug eye problems and treatments
- Pug’s eyes are big and slightly protruded which means they can be easily injured!
- Allergies, irritation, and infection are common threats.
- Untreated issues can develop into bigger health problems, which can even lead to blindness!
By learning proper eye care to ensure that you do it safely at home you can minimize the chances ofPug eye problems, and potentially save yourself a trip to the vet.
Pug Eye Problems and Treatments
“Excessive blinking or pawing at the eyes are also indications that your dog has an infection or other problem….”
AKC – American Kennel Club.
- Bloodshot eyes: Bloodshot eyes may be normal for a Pug, but they can also be a sign of discomfort. Tears are also produced if there is irritation or discomfort. Allergies are generally the main cause, although other conditions may cause it, such as Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca and Distichiasis.
Treatment: If allergies are the cause a good place to start is by trying to avoid the allergens. Diet changes, routine eye cleaning, and medicated drops provided by your vet can work to solve this. It’s hard to treat it during spring because of the abundance of allergenic agents, such as pollens and grass, so your vet is a wonderful source of advice.
- Irritation: This can be caused by household debris, such as dust, or something more serious, such as having something trapped under the eyelid
Treatment: If it’s just you can quickly treat this at home with eye rinse and eye cleaner. If dust is unavoidable you can use lubricating drops daily to help provide your Pug’s eyes from becoming uncomfortable. If it is severe, you should visit your vet to check for something stuck.
- Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca: This is more commonly known as ‘Dry Eye’. It is caused because the eyes do not producing enough tears and become very dry. This is common in Pugs as their eyes dry out very easily due to being protruded. If the eye becomes very dry for an extended period it could lead to ulceration of the outer layer of the eye, the cornea, which is extremely uncomfortable and can affect vision.
AKC – American Kennel Club
Treatment: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca requires medication, provided by your vet, to increase tear production from the tear glands. It will also require drops for frequent eye lubrication to help keep the eyes moist, and potentially antibiotic drops if ulcers have formed
- Cherry eye: The third eyelid is a membrane in the inner-most corner of the eye. Cherry eye is when the third eyelid pops out of position and becomes swollen. It can happen in one or both eyes simultaneously.
Treatment: Surgery is performed to replace the third eyelid back into the correct position and suture it in place to avoid it from happening again. Sometimes the other third eyelid is also sutured as even if it hasn’t popped out, it will be at a high risk of doing so.
- Eyelash problems: Distichiasis and Ectopic Cilia are two of the most common eyelash related problems with Pug’s eyes. Both are caused when extra eyelashes damage the cornea. This is very painful conditions for any Pug. It causes chronic ulceration which can eventually lead to swelling, and in extreme cases perforation of the cornea .
Treatment: Surgery is the treatment of choice to remove the hair with the follicle so there is no regrowth however eyelashes can also be plucked out but they tend to recur approximately a month later. So, surgery is the treatment of choice to remove the hair with the follicle so there is no regrowth.
- Entropion: This condition is when the upper or lower eyelid rolls inward. Entropion can be painful and cause ulceration of the cornea, due to the hairs touching the surface and causing friction. Entropion is hereditary and Pugs with entropion should not be bred.
Treatment: Surgery can be performed on the eyelids but should this can only be done once fully grown to avoid excessive over-correction.
- Pigmentary Keratitis surgery is the treatment of choice to remove the hair with the follicle so there is no regrowth.: This is a common symptom of other eye issues your Pug may have. This is easy to notice as it’s when the pigment from the iris filters into the sclera. This translates to the brown part of the eye flooding the white one. This may happen for no reason at all, but it can also be related to chronic inflammation such as Dry Eye and Entropion.
Treatment: Pigmentary Keratitis is not treatable. It is important to address the underlying cause to stop it from developing further.
- Eye prolapse: This is when an eyeball pops out. It is most common among brachycephalic breeds or short-nosed breeds with shallow eye-sockets. This occurs due to the shape of their skull which causes the eyes to be in a susceptible or exposed position.
Treatment: In order to prevent this issue, try to avoid playing roughly with them because it can cause a trauma event. If a prolapse does occur, the eye can sometimes be saved if you take your dog to your vet immediately.
- Corneal ulceration: Pug’s eyes, due to their protruding position, are very prone to trauma. This can lead to scratches and ulceration on the surface of their eyes, which can be extremely painful.
Treatment: A vet will usually prescribe medicated antibiotic drops for your Pug’s eyes to help heal the ulcer and prevent infection.
How Often Should I Clean My Pug Eyes?
Pugs’ eyes should be cleaned on a daily basis to remove all discharge and keep them clean and healthy.
3 Steps To Healthy Pug Eyes:
Pugs have very delicate eyes and daily cleaning should be part of your routine. Use caution though since you can also cause damage to the eyes if done too firmly. Other than the extra caution while cleaning Pug’s eyes, this is a simple process.
- Proper Supplies! Most of the times wipes for eyes are enough, especially if you’re using any of our recommended wipes for Pug eyes. You can also use distilled water and a cotton ball, but wipes are the best choice.
- Carefully clean the eyes: Softly and slowly, wipe through the outer areas of the eye, removing debris, eye sleep, and other contaminants. Pay good attention to the inner corner of the eye where discharge and tears most commonly run.
- Treat your PUG! Give your sweet baby a treat for Pugs and praise good their behavior! This will help make it a positive experience for them.
Things to Remember:
- Begin cleaning your Pug’s eyes when they are still a puppy so they get used to the cleaning process.
- To keep your Pug’s eyes from any discomfort, you must clean his eyes every day at least once a day. Twice is optimum.
- Don’t play too rough playing with him!
- Do not use aerosol sprays near your Pug.
- Pay close attention when cleaning routine and look for any changes in your Pugs’ eyes. Catching a problem early often prevents more severe issues.
How to get something out your pugs eye
The big eyes of a Pug are perfectly positioned to get damaged. In dusty places, this can become an issue. If your Pug has caught something in his eye, here’s how to solve it:
- Try to calm and relax you Pug. Your Pug may become very upset when something is bugging him as this is very unpleasant for them
- Sit down with your Pug on your lap. You can also put him on top of a counter if it is safer, that way you will have more access to his face.
- Open your Pug’s eyelids gently with your hands. Be sure your hands are completely clean and irritant free.
- Add a few drops of a sterile saline solution or distilled water. These are easily found in your first aid kit!
- Let your dog go and giving them a minute to blink.
- Clean away his tears with our eye wipes for Pug eyes.
If your Pug’s eyes still seem irritated, which you will notice by excessive blinking, tears or rubbing his eyes, take him immediately to your vet to be checked out. Sometimes you have to see a vet for your Pug eye problems and treatments.
