Breathing Easier: How A Texas A&M Clinical Trial Helped One Pug Regain His Energy

Yogi has always been the kind of dog who fits right in.

The 4-year-old pug is playful with kids, affectionate with his family, and quick to pick up on the personalities of everyone around him.

“He’s super sweet, very cuddly — just a joy to be around,” said his owner, Deepal Shanmugam.

But like many brachycephalic, or short-muzzled, dogs, Yogi was prone to breathing challenges.

As he got older — and gained weight — those issues became more noticeable. After just a minute of running, he would stop to catch his breath — a pattern that became increasingly difficult to ignore.

Even mild activity left him panting heavily, and it could take up to 30 minutes for him to recover.

“It sounded really bad,” Shanmugam said. “It was scary to hear him struggling like that.”

At first, she assumed it was normal for the breed, but as Yogi continued to gain weight — despite no major changes to his routine — she began searching for answers.

Finding A Solution Through A Clinical Trial

After trying to adjust his diet at home without success, Shanmugam learned about a clinical trial at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) focused on improving breathing in overweight brachycephalic dogs through weight loss.

“I saw the study and thought, ‘I should totally do this,’” she said.

The study was designed to explore whether weight loss — a more accessible option than surgery — could measurably improve breathing in these dogs.

“There are surgical interventions that can help brachycephalic dogs, but there are things that haven’t really been looked into — especially for owners who can’t pursue every option,” said Dr. Braiden Blatt, a graduate assistant in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences. “That’s what led us to study weight loss and how it might affect their ability to breathe.”

Once enrolled, Yogi was placed on a structured weight-management plan developed through the VMBS Veterinary Nutrition Service. The plan included a prescription diet, carefully measured portions, and ongoing monitoring to ensure he was losing fat while maintaining muscle.

“They gave us a scale to weigh everything — it just made everything so easy,” Shanmugam said.

Early on, adjustments were needed to help Yogi lose weight at a steady and healthy rate, and like many owners, Shanmugam questioned whether reducing his portions was the right thing.

“At first, I was worried whether I was feeding him enough,” she said. “But once we had the nutrition plan and knew exactly what he should be getting, it made the whole process much easier.”

Over time, the structure of the program made the process more manageable — and the results began to follow.

A Noticeable Transformation

Within a few months, the difference became clear.

“For the first time, he was running around and didn’t start hacking,” Shanmugam said.

As Yogi lost weight, his breathing improved — along with his overall energy and activity level. He began playing longer, running more, and recovering more quickly after exercise. Activities that once lasted only seconds could now continue without interruption.

“It’s like something has been lifted off of him,” Shanmugam said.

Even small changes became more noticeable in his day-to-day behavior.

“He ‘talks’ more now,” she said. “Before, he would try for a second and then stop because he couldn’t keep going, but now he does. It feels like he’s not struggling to breathe anymore.”

Early Findings And Ongoing Study

Yogi’s experience reflects what researchers are beginning to observe across the study.

Although the trial is ongoing, early trends are encouraging. Dogs that have reached their ideal body weight and completed the program have shown improvements, including less respiratory noise.

“We’re seeing these dogs breathe more comfortably and recover more quickly after activity,” Blatt said.

The researchers emphasize that while weight loss may not eliminate the need for surgical intervention in every case, it may provide a meaningful, lower-cost option to improve quality of life.

“We’re always looking for ways to help these dogs breathe easier,” Blatt said. “If weight loss can make a difference, it gives owners another tool to support their dogs’ health.”

A Shift In Perspective

Looking back, Shanmugam says the experience changed how she understands the relationship between weight and breathing in short-muzzled dogs.

“I knew he was overweight, and I knew his breathing wasn’t great — but I didn’t realize how connected those two things were,” she said.

Now, the improvement is clear.

“It’s amazing what losing 6 or 7 pounds did,” she said.

Maintaining an ideal body condition is linked to longer lifespans in dogs, meaning even modest weight loss may have benefits beyond improved breathing.

She hopes other owners recognize that breathing challenges may not be something their dogs simply have to live with — and that manageable changes can have a meaningful impact.

“I would tell other owners to try getting their dog on some kind of diet or plan,” she said. “Even small changes can make a huge difference.”

Owners interested in participating in the clinical trial can learn more about eligibility and enrollment through the clinical trial webpage or by contacting the team at betterbreathing@tamu.edu. The study is open to overweight brachycephalic dogs of any age, including both pure- and mixed-breed dogs, and includes individualized nutrition plans, respiratory evaluations, and ongoing monitoring and support throughout the program at no cost to participants. Importantly, even dogs that may not appear significantly overweight — or that carry only a small amount of excess weight — may still benefit and are eligible to participate in the clinical trial.

For Shanmugam, the decision to enroll Yogi was an easy one.

“They’re helping your dog, and you don’t have to pay for it,” she said. “There’s really no downside.”