Pugs Can't Breathe Properly
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome. BOAS. Basically, Pugs are bred to have faces so flat they can't breathe.
Gus's vet said most Pugs need surgery to fix their airways. I had no idea.
Soft Palate Surgery Was Urgent
Gus's soft palate was too long, blocking his airway. Plus his nostrils were too narrow.
The vet said Gus was working three times as hard as normal dogs just to breathe.
BOAS surgery cost $4,500. Soft palate trim, nostril widening, removing excess tissue.
Recovery was scary. Gus had to wear a cone for two weeks and couldn't get excited.
But after surgery, the difference was amazing. Gus could actually breathe quietly.
No more honking, snorting, or gasping. He could play without collapsing.
The surgeon said we caught it just in time. Waiting longer could have caused permanent damage.
Some Pugs need additional surgeries as they age. The airways can collapse again.
Gus will need monitoring for life. Any breathing changes require immediate attention.
Hot weather is still dangerous. Pugs overheat easily even after surgery.
Eye Problems Started Young
Gus's eyes are so prominent they get injured constantly. Scratched corneas, dry eye, infections.
At two years old, Gus scratched his cornea on a bush. Emergency vet visit cost $380.
Then he developed dry eye. Not enough tear production to keep his eyes moist.
Daily eye drops for life. $65 per month for prescription lubricating drops.
Plus regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist. $250 every six months.
The eye specialist said Pugs often need surgery for entropion. Eyelids rolling inward.
Gus's eyelids are borderline. We're monitoring them closely.
Eye surgery costs $2,800 per eye. Cosmetic surgery to fix the eyelid position.
Without surgery, the eyelashes scratch the cornea constantly. Very painful.
Spinal Problems From Body Shape
Gus started limping at age 4. Intervertebral disc disease, common in Pugs.
His corkscrew tail puts stress on his spine. Plus he's overweight despite diet efforts.
X-rays showed disc degeneration. $320 for spinal imaging.
Conservative treatment first. Crate rest, pain medication, anti-inflammatories.
Pain medication costs $85 per month. Plus joint supplements at $45 monthly.
Physical therapy helped. Underwater treadmill sessions twice weekly at $95 each.
But if Gus's spine gets worse, he'll need surgery. $8,000-12,000 for disc repair.
The vet said many Pugs become paralyzed without surgery. Scary thought.
What Pug Insurance Actually Needs
Gus's health problems taught me that Pug insurance needs to cover breed-specific surgeries and ongoing conditions.
BOAS Surgery Coverage is Essential
Most Pugs need airway surgery at some point. It's not elective, it's life-saving.
Gus's BOAS surgery cost $4,500. Some Pugs need multiple procedures.
Many insurance policies exclude brachycephalic surgeries or consider them cosmetic.
But breathing surgery isn't cosmetic. Pugs literally can't breathe without it.
Find a policy that covers BOAS surgery and related procedures.
Gus's insurance covered 80% of his surgery. Without it, we couldn't have afforded the procedure.
Eye Surgery and Ongoing Care
Pug eye problems are expensive and ongoing. Emergency eye injuries, dry eye treatment, surgical corrections.
Gus's eye care costs about $1,800 per year. Medications, specialist visits, treatments.
Some policies have low limits on ophthalmology or exclude hereditary eye conditions.
But Pug eye problems are mostly hereditary. It's their facial structure.
Make sure your policy has good ophthalmology coverage with high annual limits.
Spinal Surgery Coverage
Disc disease surgery is expensive but often necessary for Pugs to walk.
Back surgery can cost $8,000-12,000. Plus months of rehabilitation.
Some policies exclude spinal conditions or have low orthopedic limits.
But spinal problems are common in Pugs due to their body shape.
Look for policies that cover neurological procedures with high limits.