Pug Health Information
At Mystic River, we utilize every available and appropriate method of health testing when selecting our breeding stock. We firmly believe that comprehensive health testing is essential to responsible breeding and long-term breed preservation.
Our goal is to meet or exceed OFA CHIC program standards whenever applicable.
Below are just some of the health testing we do.
Our goal is to meet or exceed OFA CHIC program standards whenever applicable.
Below are just some of the health testing we do.
- Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE)
- Eye Examination - completed by Ophthalmologist
- Patellar Luxation
- Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD)
- DM (Degenerative Myelopathy)
- Cardiac Evaluation
Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE)
Also known as Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis (NME)
Pug Dog Encephalitis is a severe inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterized by inflammation and necrosis (tissue death) of the brain. It is most commonly seen in young adult Pugs.
The condition is believed to be immune mediated with a genetic predisposition. It is progressive and fatal.
Clinical signs may include seizures, behavioral changes, disorientation, circling, head pressing, ataxia, vision loss, and collapse.
Diagnosis is based on neurological examination, MRI imaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and exclusion of other causes. Definitive diagnosis requires histopathology.
Also known as Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis (NME)
Pug Dog Encephalitis is a severe inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterized by inflammation and necrosis (tissue death) of the brain. It is most commonly seen in young adult Pugs.
The condition is believed to be immune mediated with a genetic predisposition. It is progressive and fatal.
Clinical signs may include seizures, behavioral changes, disorientation, circling, head pressing, ataxia, vision loss, and collapse.
Diagnosis is based on neurological examination, MRI imaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and exclusion of other causes. Definitive diagnosis requires histopathology.
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome refers to a group of anatomical airway abnormalities associated with shortened skull structure.
Common components include narrowed nostrils, elongated soft palate, everted laryngeal saccules, and hypoplastic trachea.
Clinical signs may include noisy breathing, exercise intolerance, heat intolerance, cyanosis, and collapse in severe cases.
Severity varies among individuals.
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome refers to a group of anatomical airway abnormalities associated with shortened skull structure.
Common components include narrowed nostrils, elongated soft palate, everted laryngeal saccules, and hypoplastic trachea.
Clinical signs may include noisy breathing, exercise intolerance, heat intolerance, cyanosis, and collapse in severe cases.
Severity varies among individuals.
May-Hegglin Anomaly (MHA) – Pug Type
May-Hegglin Anomaly is a hereditary platelet disorder characterized by macrothrombocytopenia, meaning abnormally large platelets with reduced platelet count.
The condition is caused by a mutation in the MYH9 gene and is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.
Affected dogs may have low platelet counts, enlarged platelets, and prolonged bleeding times. Most dogs are clinically normal but may experience increased bleeding during surgery or trauma.
May-Hegglin Anomaly is a hereditary platelet disorder characterized by macrothrombocytopenia, meaning abnormally large platelets with reduced platelet count.
The condition is caused by a mutation in the MYH9 gene and is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.
Affected dogs may have low platelet counts, enlarged platelets, and prolonged bleeding times. Most dogs are clinically normal but may experience increased bleeding during surgery or trauma.
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PK Deficiency)
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency is an inherited hemolytic anemia caused by a deficiency of the pyruvate kinase enzyme, which is necessary for normal red blood cell energy metabolism.
The condition results in premature destruction of red blood cells.
Clinical signs include anemia, lethargy, pale mucous membranes, enlarged spleen, enlarged liver, and bone marrow changes. Onset typically occurs between 4 months and 2 years of age.
The condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern.
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency is an inherited hemolytic anemia caused by a deficiency of the pyruvate kinase enzyme, which is necessary for normal red blood cell energy metabolism.
The condition results in premature destruction of red blood cells.
Clinical signs include anemia, lethargy, pale mucous membranes, enlarged spleen, enlarged liver, and bone marrow changes. Onset typically occurs between 4 months and 2 years of age.
The condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern.
Hyperuricosuria (HUU)
Hyperuricosuria is an inherited metabolic disorder characterized by elevated uric acid levels in the urine due to a mutation in the SLC2A9 gene.
Excess uric acid predisposes affected dogs to the formation of urate bladder or kidney stones.
Clinical signs may include blood in the urine, straining to urinate, urinary obstruction, and recurrent urinary tract issues.
The condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern.
Hyperuricosuria is an inherited metabolic disorder characterized by elevated uric acid levels in the urine due to a mutation in the SLC2A9 gene.
Excess uric acid predisposes affected dogs to the formation of urate bladder or kidney stones.
Clinical signs may include blood in the urine, straining to urinate, urinary obstruction, and recurrent urinary tract issues.
The condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern.
Entropion
Entropion is a conformational eyelid abnormality in which the eyelid margin rolls inward, causing eyelashes and hair to rub against the cornea.
Chronic corneal irritation can result in excessive tearing, squinting, corneal ulcers, and pigmentary changes to the surface of the eye.
Severity ranges from mild irritation to significant corneal damage that may require surgical correction.
Entropion is a conformational eyelid abnormality in which the eyelid margin rolls inward, causing eyelashes and hair to rub against the cornea.
Chronic corneal irritation can result in excessive tearing, squinting, corneal ulcers, and pigmentary changes to the surface of the eye.
Severity ranges from mild irritation to significant corneal damage that may require surgical correction.
Luxating Patella
Patellar luxation is an orthopedic condition in which the kneecap moves out of its normal position within the groove of the femur.
It may be medial or lateral and is graded from 1 to 4 based on severity.
Grade 1: The patella can be manually displaced but returns to normal position.
Grade 2: Intermittent spontaneous luxation.
Grade 3: Frequent luxation that can be manually reduced.
Grade 4: Permanently luxated and non-reducible.
Clinical signs may include intermittent lameness, skipping gait, or progressive hind limb dysfunction.
Patellar luxation is an orthopedic condition in which the kneecap moves out of its normal position within the groove of the femur.
It may be medial or lateral and is graded from 1 to 4 based on severity.
Grade 1: The patella can be manually displaced but returns to normal position.
Grade 2: Intermittent spontaneous luxation.
Grade 3: Frequent luxation that can be manually reduced.
Grade 4: Permanently luxated and non-reducible.
Clinical signs may include intermittent lameness, skipping gait, or progressive hind limb dysfunction.
Pug Myelopathy
Pug Myelopathy is a progressive spinal cord disorder observed in Pugs. It is associated with multiple structural abnormalities including intervertebral disc disease, spinal arachnoid diverticulum, vertebral malformations, and spinal cord compression.
Clinical signs include rear limb weakness, incoordination, dragging of the rear feet, urinary or fecal incontinence, and progressive paralysis of the hind limbs.
There is currently no single identified genetic cause.
Pug Myelopathy is a progressive spinal cord disorder observed in Pugs. It is associated with multiple structural abnormalities including intervertebral disc disease, spinal arachnoid diverticulum, vertebral malformations, and spinal cord compression.
Clinical signs include rear limb weakness, incoordination, dragging of the rear feet, urinary or fecal incontinence, and progressive paralysis of the hind limbs.
There is currently no single identified genetic cause.
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
Primary Lens Luxation is an inherited eye disorder characterized by weakening or rupture of the fibers that hold the lens in place.
Displacement of the lens may be forward or backward within the eye.
Anterior displacement can block fluid drainage within the eye and lead to secondary glaucoma and vision loss.
Clinical signs include eye redness, cloudiness, pain, tearing, and sudden vision changes.
Primary Lens Luxation is an inherited eye disorder characterized by weakening or rupture of the fibers that hold the lens in place.
Displacement of the lens may be forward or backward within the eye.
Anterior displacement can block fluid drainage within the eye and lead to secondary glaucoma and vision loss.
Clinical signs include eye redness, cloudiness, pain, tearing, and sudden vision changes.
