 And anyone considering getting a pug should know the health risks their dog could likely face in the future. Pugs are at risk for hip dysplasia as well as von Willebrand disease, a genetic bleeding disorder caused by low levels of clotting protein in the blood. Pug dog encephalitis is a fatal inflammatory brain disease that is unique to pugs. Pugs also have a higher incidence of epilepsy and seizure disorders. Other health issues that can plague pugs are nerve degeneration and eye problems due to their large and prominent eyes.