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Pug Dog Has MRI Scan And The Results Are Giving People 'nightmares'
An MRI scan showing a pug's signature bulging eyes from the inside went viral after people were left 'terrified' by the images - but a vet warned the pictures were 'concerning'
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A pug was given an MRI scan and it looks like something straight out of a horror film
A man shared an MRI scan of his friend's pug and the image went viral with many finding it amusing and some 'terrifying'. But one vet said it should act as a warning for those thinking about buying a dog.
Dogs are said to be man's best friend and humans have historically loved having the cute, loyal animals by our side and as members of our families.
So it came as a bit of a surprise to thousands on the internet when actor and comedian Andy Richter shared an MRI scan of his friend's dog to discover that his best friend was downright 'terrifying' on the inside.
The image racked up thousands of likes on social mediaAnd although many found the scan of the poor little pug amusing, a vet said it also highlights the concerning results of selective breeding which have a detrimental impact on the health of the breed.
Andy tweeted an image of the scan in 2022 showing the dog's signature bulging eyes with the caption: 'My friend's pug went to the vet'.
It attracted more than 132,000 likes at the time, with many left in stitches by the results. One replied: "This made me laugh uncontrollably for two minutes straight."
Another said: "Amazing. Pugs may be the only creature to look exactly the same in X-Ray as in visible light." Some were conflicted, with a third writing: "That is simultaneously the cutest and most terrifying thing I have seen in my entire life. Thank you for the happy nightmares this image will bring me tonight."
After the tweet went viral, Andy added an update to let everyone know that the pug was given a clean bill of health and was 'nonplussed' by its new found fame.
Rory Cowlam, a vet based in London, told the Independent that although most MRI images, including those taken of humans, would look unusual to the untrained eye, he conceded the pug's snapshot was 'pretty odd looking'
Dr Cowlam said: "Their faces have been shortened due to intensive breeding by humans, unfortunately. They have these massive eyes, bunched up noses - the condition is called brachycephalism.
Some breeders are attempting to undo the selective breeding which causes health issues (stock image) (Image:
Getty Images)"We have, through human selection, bred them to look more like a human baby because we find that cute, but unfortunately that cute look is not very good for the animal."
With other breeds including French bulldogs and Shih Tzus also suffering from the same condition, Dr Cowlam said he would 'actively encourage' prospective owners to think again about buying animals with brachycephalism.
Others echoed his thoughts on Twitter, with one replying: "Pugs used to be healthy. The pugs we see nowadays have been bred to favor recessive traits that are cute but also potentially a factor in major health issues later in life."
Another boldly claimed: "Pugs are an abomination and a reminder of all the casual cruelty of which human being are capable."
Dr Cowlam added that some specialists are intentionally trying to undo some of the selective breeding which has led to health problems in pugs and other breeds.
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Yet ANOTHER Reason Not To Buy A Pug: Vets Warn Flat-faced Dogs Are More Likely To Suffer From Sleep Problems
With their squashed little noses and curly tails, pugs have become a favourite among dog lovers and celebrities.
Gerard Butler, Paris Hilton and Zoe Sugg are just a few of the famous faces who have shared their lives with the breed.
But vets are urging people not to buy pugs, as new research shows flat-faced dogs are more likley to suffer from sleep problems.
Researchers from Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest found that flat-faced – or brachycephalic – dogs retain the sleep pattern of puppyhood.
'It is possible that the selection of dogs to be infant-like in appearance has also infantilized their brain function,' said Professor Eniko Kubinyi, lead author of the study.
Vets are urging people not to buy pugs, as new research shows flat-faced dogs are more likley to suffer from sleep problems
Flat-faced dogs' short-faced characteristics did not evolve naturally, and are instead the result of selective breeding. This facial structure puts them at high risk for a range of health conditions, including skin fold dermatitis, breathing and eye issues
Flat-faced dogs' short-faced characteristics did not evolve naturally, and are instead the result of selective breeding.
This facial structure puts them at high risk for a range of health conditions, including skin fold dermatitis, breathing and eye issues.
In their new study, the team set out to investigate whether their short faces also affect their sleep cycles.
'We wanted to investigate whether flat-faced dogs sleep differently from other dogs, as they are known to suffer from oxygen deprivation due to respiratory problems and therefore have poorer quality sleep,' explained researcher Zsófia Bogná.
The team enlisted 92 dogs, who were brought into the lab with their owners.
With their squashed little noses and curly tails, pugs have become a favourite among dog lovers and celebrities like Paris Hilton
Gerard Butler , Paris Hilton and Zoe Sugg are just a few of the famous faces who have shared their lives with flat-faced breeds
Using EEG, the team was able to analyse the dogs' brain activity as they slept.
The results revealed that short-faced dogs slept more in the daytime than breeds with longer faces.
What's more, flat-faced dogs had a longer phase of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep – the phase in which you dream – and showed signs of white matter loss.
'This pattern has previously been associated with poorer learning in dogs,' said Ivaylo Iotchev, first author of the study.
While the reason for these sleep issues remains unclear, the researchers say there 'may be several reasons'.
'The most interesting of these is that it seems as if the flat-faced dogs have retained the sleep pattern of puppyhood, similarly to newborns who spend more time in REM sleep,' said Professor Kubinyi.
'They have large heads and eyes, high foreheads and small noses because we humans find these traits irresistibly attractive.
'That's how babies get us to care for them.'
The team suggests that it's 'possible' that the selection for dogs to be infant-like may have also infantalised their brain function.
'This is a bold assumption for now,' Professor Kybinyi added.
'What is very likely, however, is that breeding for brachycephalic heads leads to potentially harmful changes in brain function.'
WHAT ARE THE TEN COMMONLY HELD MYTHS ABOUT DOGS?It is easy to believe that dogs like what we like, but this is not always strictly true.
Here are ten things which people should remember when trying to understand their pets, according to Animal behaviour experts Dr Melissa Starling and Dr Paul McGreevy, from the University of Sydney.
1. Dogs don't like to share
2. Not all dogs like to be hugged or patted
3. A barking dog is not always an aggressive dog
4. Dogs do not like other dogs entering their territory/home
5. Dogs like to be active and don't need as much relaxation time as humans
6. Not all dogs are overly friendly, some are shyer to begin with
7. A dog that appears friendly can soon become aggressive
8. Dogs need open space and new areas to explore. Playing in the garden won't always suffice
9. Sometimes a dog isn't misbehaving, it simply does not understand what to do or what you want
10. Subtle facial signals often preempt barking or snapping when a dog is unhappy
Author And Influencer Visits Hippocampo Children's Books To Celebrate Noodle The Pug
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