By starting to screen your pug at age seven for diseases associated with aging, you and your veterinarian are more likely to catch problems while they can still be dealt with easily. Even if your pug still acts like a pup, a geriatric screening exam establishes a basis for comparison as he grows older. An annual exam should include a thorough physical to check for stiffness, heart murmurs, bad breath, skin lesions, and other typical signs of aging, as well as blood work to assess liver and kidney function and check for anemia or hidden infections. Regular blood testing can help identify diseases in their earliest and most treatable stages.

This pug demonstrates that even old pugs can learn new tricks.

What if your pug does develop a health problem? Remember that dogs age at a more rapid pace than humans — the equivalent of five to seven years for every chronological year that passes. Changes can occur rapidly, so it's a good idea to monitor health problems with exams every six months instead of annually.

Good parasite control is also essential in older dogs. It's a must, of course, for pugs of any age, but older dogs are physiologically less able to deal with the consequences of parasite infestation, such as blood loss and nutrient deficits. An effective flea, tick, and intestinal parasite prevention program will do your senior pug a world of good.