Pug Eye Care
If you have been around Pugs for any length of time, protecting their eyes from injury becomes almost a
second nature in everything you do. Sharp corners, rose bushes, blades of grass, cats’ claws, to name just
a few examples, all become potential hazards that can result in an ulcer in the eye. Add to this the Pug’
s natural curiosity which almost compels it to stick its nose into anything even remotely interesting.
And where ever the nose goes, the eyes are always perilously close. But ulcers, although probably the
most common eye problem in the breed, are not the only thing that can affect the eyes. here is a compiled
listing of some of the eye problems the breed is prone to, some of their symptoms and causes as well as
the most common treatments. This is not intended to be a self-help guide to treating eye problems. Any
eye abnormality, no matter how minor looking, is cause for a visit to the vet.

* Cataracts
   Opacities in the lens of the eye.
  Causes: Cataracts can be inherited. Other causes of cataracts include: diabetes, trauma,    
                inflammation, and puppy milk replacers.
  Treatment: Treatment for cataracts is surgical. If left untreated they can lead to complications such
                      as glaucoma, retinal degeneration or retinal detachment,


* Corneal ulcer
   A wound in the surface of the eye.
  Signs: Squinting, bluish cloud on eye, tearing.
  Causes: Injuries, abnormal eyelashes that irritate the surface, lack of tear production, infections, and
                 many others.
  Treatment: Depends on the type and depth of ulcer. Minor ones heal with just a topical antibiotic
                      ointment, severe ones require more aggressive treatment, for instance the flapping of the
                      eye by covering it with the third eyelid. Ulcers generally heal well, when treatment is
                      started right away. Left untreated the cornea can perforate and in the worst case
                      scenario the eye can be lost.


* Distichiasis
   A condition where eyelashes grow from a part of the eyelid which does not normally produce hairs.
 These extra lashes often rub on the surface of the eye and cause irritation.
  Signs: Redness, squinting, discharge, or rubbing at the eye. Can cause corneal ulcers or erosions
               where the hairs touch the surface of the eye.
  Treatment: Removal of the lashes helps as do topical ointments which lubricate the eye. Surgical
                         procedures used include cauterization (applying heat to the eyelid) or cryosurgery
                       (freezing the lid). Both procedures kill the roots of the lashes and prevent the distichia
                        from growing back.


* Entropion
   An abnormal inward rolling of the eyelid. In Pugs a common location is the lower corner of the
  bottom lid closest to the nose.
  Signs: Blinking, tearing
  Causes: Believed to be genetic. Could also be exacerbated by an overly heavy overnose wrinkle
                pushing on the eye lid.
  Treatment: The only cure is surgery, which involves the removal of some skin and muscle along the
                         eyelid margin. This is considered to be cosmetic surgery which renders the dog
                         ineligible for show competition. After reconstruction, the lids should look normal. The
                         patient should not be bred since the condition is probably inherited.


* Exposure Keratopathy Syndrome
   The inability of the eyelids to close completely when the dog sleeps.
  Signs: Semi-closed eyes when Pug is sleeping. Eventually a noticeable stripe of pigmentation in the
               centre of the eye.
  Causes: Could be inherited, but just as likely it is a breed problem caused by the anatomy of the
                 Pug eye.
  Treatment: A lubricant (such as Lacri-Lube) applied to the eyes at bedtime keeps the cornea from
                         getting dry. Left untreated the exposed part of the cornea will eventually dry and
                          pigmentation will form on it.


* Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry eye)
   A condition where one or both eyes do not produce a normal amount or type of tears.
  Signs: Red and painful eye with some discharge.
  Causes: Dry eye may be associated with some viral diseases, trauma, drug toxicity caused by some
                  antibiotics, allergens, or anesthesia.
  Treatment: Topical tear substitutes, stimulation of existing tear production. Cyclosporine
                         (Optimmune) is used to increase tear production and reduce inflammation


* Pannus
   An immunologic eye disease characterized by blood vessels and scar tissue invading the cornea. by
  abnormal growth of tissue over the cornea.
  Signs: Fleshy growth on cornea
  Causes: Unknown but certain risk factors, such as ultraviolet light, altitude, and breed are thought
                   to be involved. Believed to be an immune mediated disease.
  Treatment: Steroids (such as dexamethasone and prednisolone) provide some immunosuppression
                        as a side effect. Cyclosporine (Optimmune), is an immunosuppressant and applied
                        topically alone, or in combination with steroids often results in better control of pannus
                        than the use of steroids alone.


* Pigmentary Keratitis
   An inflammatory condition of the cornea characterized by abnormal pigmentation.
  Signs: Brown pigmentation spots on the surface of the eye.
  Causes: Pigmentary keratitis is not caused by any single agent, it is generally the result of some
                 kind of trauma to the eye.
  Treatment: Gentocin Dura-Film (a steroid) applied to the eyes daily is useful for the management
                         of some cases of pigmentary keratitis. Some people have also had good results with the
                          use of cyclosporine. A surgical procedure exists whereby the pigmentation is scraped
                         off the eye. However, such a procedure is not of much use unless the underlying cause
                         of the pigmentation is determined first and corrected.


* Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
   A retinal disease that causes blindness.
  Signs: A slowly progressing disease, not painful, so your dog will not blink or squint or have
               reddened eyes. Some owners will notice a shine from their pet's eyes, caused by dilated pupils
               not responding to light as quickly as those of unaffected dogs. Another early sign of PRA is
               loss of night vision.
  Causes: In general PRA is considered an inherited condition, but the mode of inheritance is
                  different in each breed.
  Treatment: There is no treatment for PRA.


As can be seen from the above list, many eye problems have similar symptoms. Only a thorough eye
examination by your Vet can determine the correct diagnosis and the proper treatment.