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a dog's eyes are so expressive that a single gaze can show excitement, sadness,
and apprehension. Any condition affecting the eyes can be extremely stressful
as well as traumatic for the pets as well as for the pet parents. Generally eye
conditions have the tendency to worsen really quick , that is why it becomes
really important to recognize any such condition and seek veterinary advice in
time. Ideally the eyes of a healthy dog should be clear, bright , free from any
type of dirt or discharge and inflammation.Here in this blog, we will be
discussing common eye problems in dogs which are very likely to affect your dog
once in its lifetime.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
One
of the most common forms of eye problems in dogs. Conjunctivitis is a dog eye
infection which simply means “inflammation of conjunctiva”. It is a delicate
membrane lining the inner surface of the eyelid as well as the outer layer of
the eye. This dog eye infection symptoms include redness, mucus in the eyes,
watery discharge from the eyes. There can be a wide range of causes for conjunctivitis ranging from allergy, trauma,
dry eyes, irritation to bacterial or viral infection. For treating
conjunctivitis, correct diagnosis of what’s causing it is very very critical. Depending upon the diagnosis,
treatment can be right from removing the irritants, to use of saline washes,
antihistamines , or antibiotics to manage infections. In some of the cases
surgery might also be required.
Corneal Ulcers
Another one of the common dog eye conditions is
corneal ulcer. Corneal ulceration is defined as the breach in corneal
epithelium giving it a cloudy appearance. In case this breach goes down to further down layers of epithelium, it forms a
descemetocele. Corneal ulceration as a dog eye infection is
more common amongst dog breeds that have protruding eyes such as Shih Tzus,
Pugs, Lhasa Apso etc. The cause for corneal ulcers is external trauma, which
can be caused by sharp objects or rubbing eyes and face on the floor. Corneal
ulcers are usually very painful and have the tendency to worsen even after
treatment. This dog eye infection treatment involves use of topical
broad-spectrum antibiotics or even surgery like corneal grafting, tarsorrhaphy
in some cases.
Dry Eyes (KCS)
Moving
further on the list of eye problems in dogs is Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or
‘dry eyes’. It is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the tear glands.
In this condition, an adequate amount of tear production is not needed in order
to keep the eye lubricated. As a result of this, the cornea and conjunctiva can
become thickened, irritated or inflamed. If left untreated or undiagnosed, KCS
can further aggravate into a painful corneal ulceration and then lead to an
impaired vision. Cause for KCS in most of the cases are autoimmune disorders
leading to inflammation in tear glands. Treatment usually includes topical
application of topical eye lubricants. However, a veterinary examination is
required for a definitive diagnosis.
Cataract
Amongst the most common eye problems with dogs
is cataract. Presence of any opacity or cloudiness within the lens of the eye
is referred to as Cataract. Cataract interferes with the light reaching the
retina leading to vision impairments. The dog eye infection symptoms of
cataract are cloudiness in the eyes, vision impairment, permanent redness in
the eyes, and even disorientation in some of the cases . Common reasons for
cataract include old age , trauma , nutritional deficiencies, diabetes and drug
reactions. Generally once initiated, there is no medical treatment to reverse
the Cataract. Veterinarians however prescribe antioxidant eye drops to slow
down the process. Surgery can be one of the options but Ophthalmologists should
first pre evaluate the general condition of the eye .
Cherry Eye
Prolapse of the third eyelid gland or nictitans
gland in dogs is also referred to as ‘Cherry eye’. It is one of the most
prevalent eye problems in dogs. Cherry eye is a common eye condition usually
seen in hyperactive puppies less than one year of age. There are a few breeds
which are predisposed for this such as bulldogs, beagles, shih tzu and cocker
spaniels. In this condition, a prolapse of the third eyelid gland appears as an
inflamed red mass on the lower eyelid at the corner of the eye . This might
also involve reduced tear production and excessive blinking. Causes of cherry eye might include breed
predisposition, age (hyperactive pups are more at risk), and any physical
trauma to the eye. Usually surgical
replacement of the third eyelid gland is the first choice of treatment.
However, chances of recurrence even after surgery are quite high. In some cases
Vets might also suggest a warm compress, anti inflammatory eye drops or simply
letting the cherry eye be like that depending upon the situation.
Dogs
are like our own babies. They need our care and attention to lead a healthy
life. A well informed pet parent is less likely to ignore any concerning
symptoms in their furry babies. These were the most common eye problems in
dogs. Knowing about these situations helps pet parents watch out for any
symptoms and prevents them from delaying medical aid. If you need any advice
related to health concerns of your fur baby, get in touch with our Pawsome
People at Zigly, who are always just a woof away!
