We enjoy showing our family, including our canine companion, something entertaining. But what if your four-legged companion can’t see you because of vision problems?
Most pet owners focus on physical fitness, nutrition, and general well-being, but rarely do they think of eye health. Sadly, dogs can also get a variety of eye disorders. Worse, many of them can be avoided or controlled in these modern times.
In this article, we’ll talk about the most common eye problems in dogs, what causes them, and how to avoid or treat them.
Common Eye Problems in Dogs
Below are some of the most common eye issues found in pet dogs.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, often known as pink eye in dogs, is a common issue in dogs. This is defined as swelling or inflammation of the conjunctiva, which refers to the tissue that covers the eyeball and eyelids.
This tissue area is a mucous membrane composed of a layer of mucus-producing cells.
Causes of Conjunctivitis in Dogs
The cause of conjunctivitis might be an allergy, bacterial, associated with a dog’s immune system issue, related to the anatomy of a specific dog, or traumatic.
Frequently, the same clinical indications appear regardless of the underlying etiology. Typically, your veterinarian must investigate the reason during a normal exam.
How to Avoid Conjunctivitis in Dogs
Avoiding irritations, maintaining the eye region clean, and applying prescription eye drops if indicated by a veterinarian are all preventive strategies.
Remember that the most essential aspect of healing is preventing future damage to the eye while addressing the underlying condition.
Corneal Ulcers
Corneal ulcers develop if the cornea, the eye’s outer layer, gets injured or infected. The front part of a dog’s eye with a corneal ulcer will appear cloudy.
Causes of Corneal Ulcers in Dogs
Trauma, debris, and underlying diseases such as dry eye syndrome are common causes of corneal ulcers in Dogs.
Excessive tears, irritation, and light sensitivity are some symptoms. Unfortunately, there are many possible causes, which includes the following:
- Trauma
- Foreign body
- Chemical irritation
- Viral infections
- Secondary to chronic dry eye
- Secondary to certain endocrine diseases
How to Avoid Corneal Ulcers in Dogs
You need veterinary care if your dog has corneal ulcers. To reduce the chance of damage, prevent exposing your dog’s eyes to possible risks such as blunt objects or substances, and take measures during outside activities.
Surgical intervention is required if an eye ulcer is deep, complex, or chronic and has stopped reacting to medicinal therapy.
Broad-spectrum and typically topical pain medicine are standard treatments for uncomplicated eye ulcers. Vets may also administer systemic pain medication based on the dog’s comfort scale.
Cataracts
Cataracts refer to the blurring of the eye’s lens, which causes reduced vision and possibly blindness. Although cataracts may develop at any age, older dogs tend to get them more.
Causes of Cataracts in Dogs
Hereditary or genetic illness is the most prevalent cause of cataracts in dogs. Other reasons that are far less prevalent include:
- Old age
- Trauma
- Inflammation of the eye’s uvea
- Low blood calcium levels
- Nutritional deficiencies
How to Avoid Cataracts in Dogs
Because cataracts runs in the genes, there’s not much that pet owners can perform to avoid the condition.
Though surgery is possible in severe cases, prevention involves eating nutritious foods, addressing underlying health issues, and preventing overexposure to the sun.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is characterized by high intraocular pressure. This may harm the nerve that supplies vision and result in vision loss.
Fluid moves typically inside and outside the eye to keep the pressure constant. However, with glaucoma, either excessive fluid enters the eye, or there is an outflow issue, resulting in increased pressure.
Causes of Cataracts in Dogs
High intraocular pressure causes primary glaucoma. Inherited genetic flaws in the eye’s drainage position can lead to this. Possible symptoms include redness, discomfort, dilated pupils, and unusual behaviors.
How to Avoid Corneal Ulcers in Dogs
Regular vision tests are important, particularly for at-risk breeds. Regardless of the severity, options for treatment can involve surgery, medication, or both of the two.
Multiple ophthalmic drugs are often provided to return intraocular pressure to normal as rapidly as feasible. These drugs, which include eyedrops and analgesics, assist in draining fluid from the eye.
Conclusion
Understanding and avoiding common canine vision problems is critical for their general health and well-being. You can help identify abnormalities in your dog’s optical health and give appropriate therapy by being attentive and sensitive to its ocular health.
Remember that your pooch’s eyesight is as valuable as ours, and with appropriate care, you are helping them experience many years of clear vision and enjoyment.
For more tips on pet care, check out the PetFitness blog!
