The Prevalence of Corneal Disorders in Pugs Attending Primary Care Veterinary Practices in Australia

Pugs are increasingly popular as companions due to their baby-like features such as their protruding round eyes and flat face. However, these attractive features contribute to various respiratory, skin, gastrointestinal, neurological and eye disorders in this breed. Pugs are at risk of superficial eye disorders due to their bulging eyes, reduced corneal sensitivity and abnormal eyelid closure. This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors for ocular conditions in pugs. The primary veterinary care records of pugs attending primary care veterinary clinics participating in VetCompass Australia in 2017 were analysed. There was a high prevalence of overweight/obese pugs (20.2%) and eye and eyelid abnormalities (14.5%). The most prevalent ocular disorders were corneal ulcers, corneal pigmentation and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes). The risk of the most prevalent corneal disorders increased with age, including corneal pigmentation, dry eyes and keratitis (inflammation of the cornea). Many other eye conditions related to pug facial conformation were identified in veterinary visits that contribute to chronic suffering and poor welfare. Pug health can be improved by early, more detailed veterinary monitoring of eye abnormalities, enabling earlier treatment and the prompt removal of pugs with eye abnormalities from the breeding population.

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Lau, W.I.; Taylor, R.M. The Prevalence of Corneal Disorders in Pugs Attending Primary Care Veterinary Practices in Australia. Animals 2025, 15, 531. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15040531

"Little smiling pug" by savytska (Adobe Stock 98648569)