A Puggle is a combination of both a Pug and a Beagle. The unique and fun name, Puggle, comes from crossing the two names Pug and the “gle” from Beagle. It also has the qualities and characteristics of both breeds. Puggles are adorable and funny dogs that you will surely love. Puggles are playful and curious, and they have distinct personalities and features, especially compared to their parent breeds, the Pug and the Beagle. Puggles are brilliant animals, making them a lot of fun to play with. Physical characteristics include having a short nose and wrinkly face like a pug, but it has a short, bulky body and flabby ears like a beagle.
Because of their short nose, similar to Pugs, a Puggle is prone to bacterial eye infections, and as an owner, you must pay special attention to the eyes of your puppy. However, with the proper care and precautions, your Puggle will have a better, more comfortable life than if bacterial eye infections remain unchecked.
If you want to learn more about Puggle bacterial eye infections, this article will be your guide on how to take care of your Puggle to ensure the best quality of life for you and your dog.
- Puggle Bacterial Eye Infections Explained
- Causes of Bacterial Eye Infections in Your Puggle
- How Bacterial Eye Infections Can Affect Your Puggle
- The Life Expectancy of a Puggle With Bacterial Eye Infections
- Signs That Your Puggle Might Have Bacterial Eye Infections
- How to Care for and Treat Your Puggle for Bacterial Eye Infections
- How to Help Your Puggle Live a Fulfilling Life With Bacterial Eye Infections
Puggle Bacterial Eye Infections Explained
One of the most persistent problems Puggle owners face is bacterial eye infections. The main problem with eye issues is that it is hard to differentiate between conditions and allergies. Both problems involve similar symptoms, which means you have to pay close attention to the signs your dog has to get the best treatment. Treating a bacterial infection begins with identifying it. Unfortunately, this is not always easy, as there are different types, each requiring its unique course of treatment.
Bacterial eye infections are common in Puggles, and the most commonly seen diagnosis are corneal ulcers, yeast infections, and conjunctivitis. The most simple and most common bacterial eye infection is called conjunctivitis (pink eye). The good news is pink eye is not contagious to humans. Conjunctivitis can lead to complications, but it doesn’t cause total blindness in your dog. All three conditions require antibiotics to cure and prevent damage to your dog’s eye.
Puggle bacterial eye infections are among the most common health issues faced by these dogs of all ages. Although eye infections in dogs can be painful and uncomfortable, most of these problems are very treatable. Many causes might develop a bacterial eye infection in your Puggle. Whatever the reason, symptoms can range from annoying to absolutely severe and need urgent treatment to avoid difficulties.
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Causes of Bacterial Eye Infections in Your Puggle
A bacterial eye infection usually starts with a tear, scratch, or abrasion in the cornea. For example, a Puggle could get scratched during play, an insect bite, etc., and this would leave an opening for bacteria to enter. With the tear, simple things like groups of people with a cold, dust in the wind when they’re outside, or playing with other dogs can cause the infection. There are a lot of bacterial eye infections which are caused by different types of bacteria. Three kinds of bacterial infections are most common. The first name is “bacterial conjunctivitis,” the second name is “corneal ulcer,” and the third is “yeast infections.”
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the transparent lining that covers both the whites of the eye and the inner eyelids. And though some pug owners assume their dog’s red eyes and swollen eyelids are signs of allergies, that isn’t necessarily the case. Bacterial conjunctivitis, caused by several different microbes which typically live harmlessly in the mouth and nose, has been found to cause blindness in a small minority of cases. Corneal ulcers are a relatively common bacterial eye infection in a Puggle. They affect the eyelids and the precise structure of the front of the eye, the cornea. Specific bacterial, viral and fungal infections cause corneal ulceration or exacerbate an existing ulcer. Usually, there is no pain or other signs. The cornea, unless inflamed and painful, feels like plastic. One of the most common is an infection caused by yeast, which is responsible for various problems, including inflammation of the eye and discomfort. Although yeast infections are relatively easy to treat, you need to find out what is causing the pain as soon as possible.
When you look at a dog or cat, you don’t think of their eyes as something that might be susceptible to infection, but they can develop eye infections just like people. Also, like humans, to avoid complications related to blindness, the bacterial eye infections in dogs require immediate treatment.
How Bacterial Eye Infections Can Affect Your Puggle
Puggle bacterial eye infections are among the most common conditions that veterinarians treat in Puggles. The wide variety of bacteria and viruses cause inflammation within the dog’s eye — in some cases, the signs and symptoms of an eye infection can be very mild and occur weeks after other symptoms first appear. However, in other cases, the bacterial eye infection can severely affect your Puggle and cause vision loss, immune disorders, and even death.
The eyes are pretty important. They’re constantly working to show your Puggle the world around them. A lot is going on in your dog’s eyes, and it can give you valuable insight into their overall health. This makes it vital that you check your dog’s eyes regularly and be familiar with what a healthy eye looks like. Not to mention, bacterial eye infections in your Puggle can be highly distressing for you and your dog. Paying attention to suspicious-looking eye trauma and seeking veterinary advice early if you are worried can save your dog.
Early treatment of bacterial eye infections can prevent complications such as corneal ulcers from forming and significant loss of sight in the affected eye. Pugs produce less ‘tear film’ than other types of dogs. This means there will often be a tendency for the eyes to dry out, making conditions, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), cause irritation and the possible spread of viral diseases in your Puggle. In addition, yeast infections in dogs will mess with a puggle’s immune system, making it difficult for them to fight off other illnesses such as eye and ear infections.
Dogs’ eye infections can occur when you least expect it—and they may be challenging to spot. Many eye problems aren’t painful, and a dog can’t tell you they are in pain. However, other bacterial eye infections are painful, sad, and sometimes challenging to treat. The best way to catch any issues as early as possible is to watch for symptoms your pet might show during routine examinations.
The Life Expectancy of a Puggle With Bacterial Eye Infections
Every dog would live a super long and healthy life in a perfect world. But who are we kidding— that isn’t the world we live in. Some dogs develop problems that can shorten their lifespans, such as cancer, heart, or respiratory issues, even with preventive measures. By catching health issues during your check-ups at the vet, you greatly enhance your Puggle’s chances of living to a ripe old age.
As with many pet breeds, a Puggle has a few genetic health issues affecting its life expectancy. The life expectancy of a healthy Puggle is ten to fifteen years. This doesn’t mean if you adopt a Puggle, you’ll have to say goodbye before you know it. It just means learning how long a Puggle can live along with how best to support its health and longevity.
You’ll see early signs of bacterial eye infections in your dog’s pup years, but it won’t be an issue for many years as long as it’s diagnosed and treated. Puggle owners will know from experience that these dogs are prone to eye infections. While Puggles of all ages can get eye infections, it is more common in older dogs. Bacterial infections are the most common inflammation in dogs with dry eyes. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), most eye problems in dogs under two years old are caused by a hereditary condition.
The primary factors that contribute to the shorter life span are genetics and diet. A Puggle can be prone to size issues, and, therefore, weight management is vital to making sure they live long lives. They may want to eat as much food as possible in a concise amount of time, so it’s essential to keep tabs on their diet and make adjustments accordingly. Owning a dog at an appropriate weight can be one of the most important things you can do to help improve their overall health. While bacterial eye infections can cause discomfort and blindness, it is a rare case that it is the direct cause of death in a Puggle. That being said, bacterial eye infections that go untreated are one of the most common ways a Puggle sustains permanent eye injury or vision loss.
Signs That Your Puggle Might Have Bacterial Eye Infections
Sadly, sometimes your dog does develop an infection. Significant signs include redness, cloudiness, smelly discharge, ulcers and flaking of the lid tissue, crusting of the eyelid tissue, and the eyes bulging out. These symptoms may not appear if the bacterial infection is not too deep, so also pay attention to the physical signs your Puggle may exhibit. If you notice mild signs of infection, go to the veterinarian as soon as possible before it worsens. Here are a few more common signs that your Puggle might have bacterial eye infections.
First, you may recognize an increase in “eye boogers.” Green or yellow discharge from the eye is often a sign of bacterial eye infections, and you should consult your veterinarian. Second, if you notice your Puggle has more redness or watery discharge than usual, this can be a sign of bacterial eye infection. Also, if one or both eyelids are more significant than usual or swollen shut, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. Finally, if your Puggle is pawing at or squinting one or both eyes, this can often result from a bacterial eye infection and may require medication.
If the symptoms go untreated, you may notice the development of something more severe, like an ulcer or cloudy eye(s). Some common causes can be environment, diet, and something stuck under the eyelid. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately. They may arise from external trauma and environmental factors. This could be a piece of sand or grass caught under the eyelid. Eyelashes or hairs growing in the wrong place can also cause problems.
How to Care for and Treat Your Puggle for Bacterial Eye Infections
There is a plethora of online information about bacterial eye infections and how to prevent them. Before discussing bacterial eye infections and how to care for them specifically, here is a reminder to be aware that your pet’s symptoms may mimic bacterial infections such as conjunctivitis. At the same time, they could be caused by some other reason — such as allergies, glaucoma, or a foreign object.
If your pup is experiencing acute symptoms of bacterial eye infections, an antibiotic may be the first line of defense. These medications will lower your pet’s risk of developing further complications associated with bacterial infections. They’ll also speed up the healing process so you and your pup can get back to living life. In other cases, steroid eye drops may be prescribed. Steroids help to decrease the amount of inflammation in the eye tissues. This reduction in inflammation will allow your pup to see more clearly so they can carry on as usual.
A proper diet can also help prevent bacterial eye infections. It is essential to feed the dog a diet that has high-quality proteins such as salmon, chicken, lamb, and beef. There are many B vitamins in these meats, and this is what the body needs to maintain healthy tear production. Research into natural remedies, including ingredients like apple cider vinegar and green tea to treat bacterial eye infections related to conjunctivitis and yeast, has shown success. However, many professionals believe that this is only for early-stage infections. If your Puggle is experiencing a severe bacterial eye infection, veterinarian support is advised to avoid severe injury.
How to Help Your Puggle Live a Fulfilling Life With Bacterial Eye Infections
Keeping your Puggle happy and healthy is the key to a fulfilling life. Overall, these dogs live their lives with the vitality of a beagle (if you were hoping for a low-energy pug, prepare to be disappointed) and the cuddliness of pugs. They’re adaptable, good around other dogs, and great for small apartments.
Even in the best of cases, though, there are so many things that can go wrong, and it’s up to you to try your best to keep them from doing so. For example, Puggle eyes are cute, but they’re also an avenue for bacteria and infections. Many dog owners have had the trauma of discovering a bulging or pus-filled eye. It is a frightening experience and also a frightening time for the dog. Protect your Puggle by knowing the various causes of dog eye infection, as well as the best treatment options. Also, get to the veterinarian early when your Puggle first starts showing signs. Awareness and attentiveness to your dog’s physical symptoms alone can lead to a more fulfilling life for your Puggle.
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The bottom line is that many things could cause bacterial eye infections in a Puggle. However, one of the most common is poor eye hygiene practices. To help your dog avoid bacterial eye infections and live a fulfilling life, routinely trim around the eyes, clean them frequently and protect those eyes with goggles if bacterial eye infections are chronic. Also, being mindful of the food your dog eats promotes overall health. Doing these things should not only protect your dog from bacterial eye infections but will also go a long way to keep your pet from developing glaucoma and ulcers down the road.
Once your Puggle has an infection, there are some things you can do to help. First and foremost, if your dog is not getting better within a week or two of treatment, see a vet. Then, once your dog is on a treatment plan, try to keep them active and act like everything is expected to support their life. Your confidence will go a long way in providing a fulfilling life for your Puggle.
A Puggle has a lot going on in the eyes, making them prone to a host of eye problems – some of which can be pretty painful. Fortunately, dogs recover well from bacterial eye infections, and most treatments are very effective. However, our pets put their trust in us when they look up at us with those adorable wet noses and glassy, expressive eyes. So if your Puggle is showing signs of bacterial eye infections, please get them treated immediately by a professional.
