A typical pastime of pet lovers is looking adoringly into their animal’s eyes. Each time they make eye contact, it revitalizes and renews the human-animal bond. Paying close attention to your pet’s eyes is essential since it allows you to detect issues as soon as possible, should they occur.
Prevalent Eye Problems in Dogs
In dogs, eye problems can range from moderate pain because of allergies or little scratches to more severe issues like glaucoma or substantial traumas. If your dog shows eye issues, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Recognizing the signs and symptoms can prevent the health problem from aggravating, which is always a relief when your dogs start showing disease indications. Listed here are the most typical canine eye issues pet owners must keep an eye out for.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a usual age-related issue for canines, equally as they are for people. Cataracts can harm your dog’s sight and, if left untreated, can result in complete blindness. Sometimes they indicate a more significant health problem, like diabetes. Cataracts cause blurred vision, inflammation, and irritation of the eyes.
Take your dog to a vet for ophthalmology as soon as you discover these indicators. If a dog’s cataracts have dramatically impaired its sight, surgery can be done to eliminate the cloudy lenses. See more info here.
Dry Eye
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), also called dry eye, is a problem where a dog’s tear glands stop creating as many tears as they usually would. Tears clean the look of debris and feed the cornea; thus, they’re necessary. Corneal ulcers, chronic discharge of mucus from the eyes, and discomfort are only some more severe problems that can occur from a deficiency of tears.
In extreme scenarios, surgical intervention is available to reroute saliva-carrying ducts to the eye, where they can bring back moisture.
Damaged Cornea
It’s not uncommon for dogs, like people, to get something in their eyes. If they like to run around in the backyard, it’s probably due to the grass and dirt. Your dog’s cornea is in danger if they scratch at their eyes to reduce inflammation. Eye redness, excessive tearing, and pawing at the affected eye are all symptoms of a corneal ulcer or corneal injury in your dog.
There should be no delay in taking a dog in for an OFA testing if there is any suspicion that the dog’s cornea has been harmed. The vet can analyze the eye injury and recommend procedures to minimize the risk of infection.
Cherry Eye
Cherry eye occurs when the tear gland on a dog’s third eyelid prolapses (is displaced). Many are typically seen in brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds like English Bulldogs and Pugs, as well as droopy-eyed large dog types, although it can occur to any dog. The tear gland of the dog travels from behind the third eyelid, gets inflamed and swollen, and forms a pink ball of tissue that obstructs the dog’s eye.
If you believe your dog has cherry eyes, you should take them to a veterinarian with access to a veterinary diagnostic lab.
Bottomline
Before putting anything in your dog’s eyes, it’s suggested to consult a vet. Do not give your dog any eye drops, especially red ones, or include medication. An e-collar can also aid you in training your dog to stop wiping its eyes. If the saline eye wash doesn’t help or you observe any squinting or cloudiness in your pet’s eyes, take them to the vet instantly.
