Ask Dr Claire

We are considering buying an 8 week old Pug puppy who is apparently the size of a 6 week old puppy, according to the breeder. She says she is the runt of the litter. Will she be healthy?

Being the runt of the litter doesn’t mean there will be any health problems in the future, but it could also indicate there’s underlying disease.

A hands-on examination from your local vet would be a great place to start.

They can assess her body condition, heart sounds, and have give a full check over.

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees of future health with any pup that you buy, but getting her checked by an independent professional can give you peace of mind.

If you’d like to chat in person, you can get a vet on a live video call or start a chat to discuss in more detail now.

We’re here to help!

Chat soon,

Dr Claire