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Why is my pug collapsing and struggling to breathe after activity?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pug | Male | unneutered | 8 months and 9 days old | 12 lbs

My 9 month old pug has had two episodes where he is active and then suddenly loses consciousness. It is terrifying. His eyes roll back in his head and he can’t breathe. I shook him, but nothing happened. I massaged his neck/throat but nothing happened. I scooped him up in my arms to run home with him (we were on a walk) and as I held him up right he started to breathe again. He was completely limp and lifeless when I picked him up.... Prior to both he had been active-yesterday he coughed prior

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 11th, 2018

Unfortunately pugs are extremely brachycephalic dogs and it is not rare that they cannot breathe properly and fall unconscious due to lack of oxygen. You will need to take your dog to a veterinarian for assessment and an exam. The extremely flat face and nose causes two problems: the opening of the nose is often obstructed and can be surgically enlarged to help with breathing. Also the soft palate is often way to big as there is no snout, and often obstructs the larynx, cutting off the air flow. This can be surgically adjusted.
Both these conditions can also cause heart failure.
Please take your dog to a veterinarian or veterinary surgeon for an exam soon.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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