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Perhaps one of the most endearing things about pugs is their buggy eyes. Pug eyeballs tend to bulge out from the sockets, creating an almost alien-like look most dog owners go crazy for. However, that bugged out look can actually lead to some problems, including scratches of the cornea, eye infections, and a more serious condition called proptosis, when a pug’s eyes fall out of their sockets. A pug’s eye popping out is an emergency that is best treated immediately, otherwise they risk losing the eye.
Do Pug’s Eyes Fall Out?
You might be picturing something from a cartoon when a character's eyes pop out of their sockets and roll around on the floor. Thankfully, a pug's eye situation, while serious, isn't quite that dramatic. Ocular proptosis in dogs is when the eyeball is displaced from the socket to the point that the eye lids are behind the largest part or the median of the eye. This is often accompanied by swelling of the surrounding tissue that doesn’t allow the eyeball to slide back in, requiring veterinary care right away.
You’ll typically not see a hanging eyeball, instead you may notice that it sticks out further than usual, you’ll often see a large ring of red or white around their normal eye, and your pup may be a little panicked and in pain.
What Causes a Pug’s Eyes to Pop Out
The most common cause of proptosis is trauma. Pugs are little dogs, so they often find themselves in the way of an unintentional kick, a big-vs-little dog fight, or a moving vehicle. Pugs, and other brachycephalic breeds, have the added risk of an eye popping out when they’re being overly restrained. It’s true, a pug can struggle so much when being held tight, such as for a toenail trim, that they will pop an eye out. That makes proper training and gentle restraint measures especially important when dealing with our short-nosed friends.
Another potential cause of a pug’s eyes popping out is glaucoma. Glaucoma is a disease that leads to increased pressures within the eye. This increased pressure can cause a painful swelling of the eye, causing it to slip out of the socket.
Due to their facial anatomy, pugs are more likely to experience proptosis issues than dogs that don’t have buggy eyes, but that doesn’t mean your pug is guaranteed to experience it in their lifetime. Of course, keeping your pug safe with a fenced yard, supervision, wearing a harness, and gently restraining them will help prevent this pug eye problem.
Pug and Other Brachycephalic Breed Eye Anatomy
Let’s look at a pug’s anatomy in a little more detail. The shape of their skull is a major contributor to eye problems such as proptosis. You see, all of the breeding to give pugs and other brachycephalic breeds their unique face shape has created some very shallow eye sockets along with some extra wide eyelid openings, a problematic combination when it comes to successfully holding an eyeball in place. The result is an eyeball that sticks out enough to not only be at risk of falling out, but is also more likely to get scratches and abrasions, with the eyeball literally getting in places that it shouldn’t.
Pugs aren’t the only dogs with eye problems related to their anatomy. Other brachycephalic breeds include:
Boston Terriers
Boxers
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
French Bulldogs
Shih Tzus
Pekingese
Lhasa Apsos
Of course, crosses with any of these breeds may also yield an overly bugged-eye look as well.
What to Do if Your Pug’s Eye Pops Out
A pug's eye isn't designed to be outside its socket. The longer it stays dislodged, the greater the risk of permanent vision loss. Act immediately and get your pug to the vet as soon as possible. In the meantime, try to gently protect the exposed eye to minimize scratching of the cornea. Call your nearest vet and let them know you're on your way with a pug experiencing proptosis.
Since the eyelids are trapped behind the full roundness of the eye they can’t blink. You may have someone apply sterile saline solution to help lubricate and clean the eye while enroute.
Once at the vet, they will do an exam to determine the extent of the damage and address any other serious issues your pug may have endured. From there, surgery is typically the best option to ensure the eyeball is completely returned to the socket. Once the eye is back in place, the eyelids will be sutured closed to hold the eye in while healing. You’ll be asked to apply eyedrops to a small opening in the eyelids, and your pup will be given antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and pain medications. Underlying conditions, such as glaucoma or other injuries, may be treated as well.
If the eye is damaged beyond repair, removal of the eye, or enucleation, may be recommended.
How to Prevent Pug Eye Problems
Since you know that a pug’s eyes are at risk for not just proptosis but for other issues as well, prevention is key. This includes seeing your veterinarian regularly to ensure everything looks good and checking your pug’s eyes regularly.
Use a harness instead of a collar when walking to prevent excessive pressure on the neck and head, and always supervise playtime with other dogs. Only let your pup off leash in a fenced area to prevent being hit by a car or encountering a critter that wants to fight. And restrain gently!
Pet Insurance for Pugs
Eye problems aren’t the only issues involved with brachycephalic breeds like pugs. These dogs may also be susceptible to breathing troubles as well, making pug insurance an important part of your pup’s healthcare plan.
Pet insurance can be a helpful tool for managing unexpected veterinary expenses throughout your pug's life. Think of it as a safety net – you pay a monthly premium, and in return, get coverage for certain medical treatments. It's important to remember that pre-existing conditions usually aren't covered, so any existing breathing troubles wouldn't be included.
Pet insurance can offer peace of mind for unexpected situations. Knowing you won't face a financial hurdle if your pug’s eyes fall out—or if they just need a vet visit for an ear infection or a minor injury—is a big weight off your shoulders. Ultimately, pet insurance lets you get back to the real business of being a pug parent: spoiling your furry comedian and enjoying all the goofy moments along the way.
Life After Eye Issues in Pugs
Yes, a pug’s eye popping out is scary, and yes, it’s a medical emergency. It also doesn’t carry a great prognosis meaning that a pup could easily lose vision in the affected eye. Your vet will do the best that they can to return the eye to the socket in a safe manner, but the damage may already be done. That doesn’t mean your pug can’t continue on with a healthy, happy life. Modern medicine has advanced leaps and bounds, offering successful surgical options for proptosis. Even if vision loss occurs, pugs adapt remarkably well, relying on their keen senses of smell and hearing to thrive.
Reach out to your veterinarian for help – they are your partner in keeping your pug healthy and happy for years to come. Knowing what it looks like when your pug's eyes pop out and being prepared by understanding what to do if that happens makes you a great pet parent. This love and devotion for your goofy pup will help you walk the road ahead together.
There's a whole world of adventures waiting for you and your furry friend. Explore new trails, sniff out hidden treasures at the park, and conquer every puddle together. Your fearless pug explorer will be right by your side—sporting their snazzy harness, of course.