Your dog’s health has many facets. You may not often think about the diseases which can affect your dog’s eyesight, but canine eye issues can cause vision loss and even blindness if not dealt with. In 2021, make it a priority to add eyecare to your dog’s health regimen. Here are some of the most common eye ailments which may be a problem for your beloved pet.
Canine Eye Issues and Ailments
- Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis is marked by a swelling of mucous membranes that surround the eye above and below the visible portions, and line the insides of the eyelids. Conjunctivitis isn’t its own disease; rather, it’s a condition caused by a number of other issues. Infection, irritation from environmental pollutants, allergies, trauma, or obstructed tear ducts are some of the most common causes of conjunctivitis.Signs and Symptoms: Yellow-green discharge, excessive blinking, constant rubbing, and redness of the eyes. Additional signs such as sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose may occur as well. Treatment: Treatment for conjunctivitis varies depending on the underlying cause. Anti-inflammatory agents will usually be used to reduce the swelling, and antibacterial may be helpful if there is an infection. Tear stimulants are prescribed when conjunctivitis is caused by issues with the tear ducts.
- Cherry Eye: Dogs have a third eyelid called a nictitating membrane–you can see it if you look at the inner corners of their eyes. This membrane protects and lubricates the eyes. Sometimes it prolapses, and can be seen as a smooth, reddish-pink mass at the inner corner of the affected eye. The cause isn’t known at this point. For some reason, the muscles in some dogs’ eyes are weakened which results in the nictitating membrane slipping out of place. Some breeds tend to be at higher risk for cherry eye, particularly those with brachycephalic heads (e.g. pugs, Shih Tsus, bulldogs) or excess skin (bloodhounds, shar-peis). Treatment: Anti-inflammatory or antibacterial medication will likely be prescribed to reduce swelling and hopefully the issue will go away on its own. Warm compresses can help as well. If the cherry eye persists, surgery may be required to replace or remove the protrusion.
- Dry Eye (KCS): Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, also known as KCS or “dry eye”, is caused when the tear ducts are obstructed or swollen and can’t produce enough moisture to protect the eye. If the condition is not corrected, the cornea begins to harden and feels extremely uncomfortable. Many things can cause dry eye, but usually it is an immune-mediated disease that causes swelling in the eyes and, consequently, the tear ducts. Signs and Symptoms: Blinking, squinting, redness, irritation, unusual discharge, rubbing their eyes. Treatment: Dry eye is treated with eye drops that help re-stimulate the production of tears and lubricate the eyes until the ducts begin working properly again.
- Cataracts: Cataracts are characterized by a cloudiness that develops in the eye, most often in older dogs. They may be small, or they may take up the entire eye. If the cataract is big enough, it may cause significant visual impairment. Age, exposure to toxic chemicals, trauma, or glaucoma may all cause cataracts. Signs and Symptoms: Cloudiness on the eye, bumping into objects or otherwise having issues navigating or seeing properly. Treatment: Surgery is the most common treatment for this condition.
- Glaucoma: Disease or trauma can cause a backup of fluid to form behind the cornea. The combination of fluid and pressure can press on the optic nerve and may result in a permanent loss of vision if not properly treated right away. Signs and Symptoms: Lethargy, shying away from you when you reach for their head, less appetite, enlarged third eyelid. Treatment: Topical agents are applied to either reduce the flow of fluids into the eye, or cause the eyes to contract more so that it drains more quickly. The type you need depends on the cause of the glaucoma, and will be determined by your vet.At Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training, we care about the overall health and wellness of your dogs.
