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Itching, eczema, dermatitis, pugs and allergies go hand in hand! In dogs and particularly with pugs, there are four different forms of allergies. From simple eczema to anaphylactic shock, the symptoms are numerous and not always easy to detect. If in doubt, your veterinarian will confirm his diagnosis with a series of tests to identify the cause.
Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a skin disease, and it is also the most common symptom caused by an allergic reaction. Your pug is scratching a lot and plaque forms on his skin. While not serious, dermatitis is however difficult to treat. Wounds can become infected or colonized by all types of bacteria. And, because your pug companion is hairy, his wounds are more difficult to heal, the hairs retaining the soil.
Because they have a short, creased coat, pugs tend to suffer from dermatitis. This is why it is so important to follow a rigorous hygienic routine of your skin. In addition, they are often conducive to suffering from ringworm, an infectious and highly contagious fungal disease.
Moreover, they can also suffer from allergies to environmental or food components. You will need to pay attention to any abnormalities you see on your pug’s skin in order to identify potential allergy issues. In addition, you must carry out an appropriate external pest control routine in order to avoid parasitic dermatosis or a possible infestation of fleas or ticks.
Symptoms of pug allergies
Like humans, dogs can also trigger rhinitis or even a real asthma attack if they have an allergy. Asthma in dogs is a serious risk, it is more common in breeds with squashed muzzles such as bulldogs or pugs. Vomiting is also a symptom of an allergy, for example if it is a reaction to food. Finally, in the most severe cases of allergy, pugs can suffer anaphylactic shock and die within a few minutes. These different symptoms complicate the diagnosis, which is why if in doubt, your veterinarian will command additional examinations for your pug.
Pugs and allergies: A look at the different causes
To prevent your pug companion from having repetitive allergic reactions, you will need to find the underlying cause. Allergies in pugs can be caused by four different factors:
Food allergies
Food allergy affects pugs from 6 months of age on. You will need to identify the precise food or ingredient causing the allergy, as the reaction may be induced by a preservative or flavor in it. In this case, a simple diet will be enough to prevent further crisis.
Allergens
Flea bites are powerful allergens. Some dogs, such as the pug, are very sensitive to it. This specific form of allergy is called Flea Bite Allergy Dermatitis. The best way to avoid it is to administer a preventive anti-parasite treatment to your pug.
Atopic dermatitis is a skin reaction caused by an allergen in the animal’s environment. Dust mites or pollen, for example, cause an autoimmune reaction that results in redness and itching. Treatment most often involves giving your pug an antihistamine, supplemented topically by applying cortisone ointment to the skin lesions. It is a common disease as 10 to 15% of dogs will suffer from it at least once in their lifetime.
Contact
Contact allergy is the easiest to treat because it is triggered by something in direct contact with your pug. It can be due to fabric, would, plastic or steel surface, soap or softener used in your laundry, etc. etc. Its cause is usually easy to find since lesions form at the point of contact.
Pugs and allergies: Anaphylactic shock is a real danger
A severe allergy can trigger anaphylactic shock and should be treated as a serious veterinary emergency. Sudden swelling, or pale gums with vomiting or altered general condition should take you directly to the veterinarian. He will give your pug an emergency shot of adrenaline to prevent the shock from causing death. Corticosteroids may also be administered, especially following an insect bite that would also obstruct the airways. If it is not frequent, it is a life-threatening emergency. The only preventive measure in this case is to always have a shot of adrenaline with you, which will allow your pug companion to hold on long enough to get to the vet.
Pugs have a genetic predisposition to suffer from certain diseases because of their anatomical features. It is thus advisable to be aware of these potential problems in order to be able to provide your canine friend with the best possible quality of life.
This is why you need to aware of all the pathologies that can particularly affect pugs:
- Brachycephalic syndrome
- Respiratory diseases
- Common eye problems
- Joint diseases
- Skin diseases
While the above list of the most common ailments in pugs (each breed has a different predisposition to certain illnesses) may seem a bit intimidating, this is a breed that usually enjoys good health as long as it’s physical condition is carefully monitored.
Pugs are very affectionate and playful and deserve the best attention!
Questions and Answers
What works best for pugs with allergies?