• One or more deciduous teeth fail to exfoliate (fall out) before permanent teeth erupt.
• Debris and plaque accumulate between the deciduous and permanent teeth.
• Deciduous teeth can inhibit proper eruption of permanent teeth.

How to detect this condition:

• An oral examination at 6 months of age reveals the presence of "extra" teeth.

Periodontal Disease

About the condition:

• Inflammation and/or infection of the gums and bone around the tooth.
• Bacteria accumulate in the mouth forming plaque and harden into tartar, which becomes a constant source for infection.
• Crowding can occur in short-faced breeds as there is not enough room for all 42 teeth to reside.
• Progressive stages can lead to tooth loss.

How to detect this condition:

• Halitosis or bad breath
• Yellowish/brown deposits on teeth
• Red or swollen gums
• Discomfort when mouth or gums are touched
• Decreased appetite with difficulty chewing

Dermatological Conditions
Atopy

About the condition:

• Certain breeds are predisposed to becoming sensitive to environmental allergens. These allergens stimulate an inflammatory process which usually affects the skin as well as the respiratory tract.

• The primary symptoms of atopy are scratching of the body and ears, licking (especially the feet and in between toes), sneezing, shaking of the head, and redness of the skin.

• The femur of the leg meets the pelvis forming a ball-and-socket joint called the hip. In certain breeds, such as Pugs, there is a genetic predisposition for the ball section of the femur to deteriorate causing hindlimb lameness, atrophy of the thigh muscles, and pain when this joint is moved.

• If you notice that your pet seems to be limping, walking abnormally, or they seem to be having difficulty getting up, x-rays are recommended to determine if this condition is the cause.

• These skin tumors may range from benign to highly-aggressive malignant and are relatively common in dogs.

• If you notice any new lumps on your dog, please let us know so an examination can be performed.

Ocular Conditions
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye)

About the condition:

• This is a common disease characterized by reduced tear production resulting in drying and inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea.

• Checking the tear production of your pet's eyes will help diagnose this condition.

• There are several breeds of dogs that can be classified as brachycephalic; the Pug is one of these breeds. The characteristics of this syndrome are narrowed nostrils, an elongated soft palate (this is a section of tissue that separates the nasal passage from the oral cavity, which, in brachycephalic dogs, flaps within the throat causing snorting sounds), a narrowed trachea (windpipe), and inefficient panting (this may lead to problems if your dog overheats).

• Your dog may have difficulty breathing due to their respiratory system composition. To prevent any additional problems, owners should take care not to let their dog get overweight (as this will strain their respiratory system further) as well as ensure that they do not overheat during the summer months.
• Monitor what is normal for your dog - know how much snorting and sputtering they do when they are healthy, so you will be able to quickly detect when something may be wrong.