Oct 22, 2024
Dogs use their eyes for a multitude of purposes. Whether it’s for playing fetch or chasing away the neighborhood cats, a dog’s eyes are can experience a series of eye problems throughout their lives. Eye problems in dogs can be treated, but it also helps to get treatment as early as possible.
Symptoms of Dog Eye Problems
Symptoms can range from mild to severe. While most signs can start with mild effects, there’s always a risk of things getting worse. From the simplest signs, it’s important to constantly monitor your dogs and their eyes. To help you get started, here are the signs and symptoms of dog eye problems:
Excessive Tearing or Discharge
Tearing and discharge are usually obvious signs of an eye problem in dogs. You’ll start to see clear and watery tears constantly around their eyes and sometimes running down their face. This symptom could be due to blocked tear ducts, irritation, and allergies.
In other cases, a yellow or green discharge can be a sign of eye infection, such as conjunctivitis or other eye-related problems. Consistent discharge with a distinct color should be thoroughly evaluated to get an accurate diagnosis of your dog’s eye problem.
Redness or Swelling
If your dog’s eyes appear red or swollen, this could be a sign of inflammation or infection. Conditions like conjunctivitis or uveitis can cause redness. Swelling may also indicate an injury or a more serious issue, such as glaucoma, which increases pressure within the eye and requires immediate medical attention.
Cloudy Eyes
A cloudy appearance in your dog’s eyes can indicate several potential problems, including cataracts or corneal ulcers. This symptom is usually a very concerning problem, as when it is left untreated, it may progress to blindness.
Squinting or Blinking
Excessive squinting or frequent blinking is often a sign of eye pain or discomfort. This could be due to a foreign object stuck in the eye, an infection, or conditions like dry eye, where the eye doesn't produce enough tears. If you see your dog blinking or excessively squinting, something might be irritating their eyes.
Pawing at the Eyes
You’ll notice your dog pawing at their eyes, but this usually is a normal reaction in dogs. This reaction might be a mild issue, something that involves a simple dust or debris contact. However, if this behavior continues for a longer period of time, it may indicate infection, injury, or parasites.
Vision Problems
Vision problems can occur when your dog starts to have trouble navigating around your home and the outside environment. You’ll notice them bumping into objects more frequently, such as furniture and walls. If this happens constantly, your dog might have trouble seeing things around it. Vision loss is a serious concern that should be checked with our pet ophthalmologists immediately.
Common Dog Eye Problems
Dog eye problems can range from mild irritations to serious conditions that can affect their vision or overall health. Here are some of the most common eye problems that affect dogs:
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the membrane that lines the inside of a dog’s eyelids and the surface of their eyes. This eye problem is usually caused by infections, allergies, and foreign objects like dust or grass that get stuck in the eye. Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye conditions in dogs and can affect one or both eyes.
The eye problem causes redness, swelling, and discharge from the eye, which may be watery or mucous-like depending on the cause. You can also notice your dog to blink more frequently in reaction to the irritation it feels. If untreated, conjunctivitis can spread or worsen, leading to more serious infections.
Treatment for Conjunctivitis
Treatment options may include antibiotic eye drops for bacterial infections and antihistamine-based medicines for allergies. Our vets will carefully clean your dog’s eyes while gently applying the treatments. After this, we’ll guide you on how to properly use the eye drop medicines.
Cataracts
Cataracts happen when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy, preventing light from passing through clearly. This leads to temporary vision impairment and, if untreated, can result in blindness. Cataracts are common in senior dogs but can also develop in younger dogs due to genetics, diabetes, or trauma.
The most noticeable symptom of cataracts is a cloudy or milky appearance in the dog’s eyes. In the early stages, cataracts may not cause obvious vision problems, but as they progress, dogs may have difficulty seeing, particularly in low light. They may bump into objects or become hesitant in unfamiliar environments.
Treatment for Cataracts
Eye surgery is by far the most effective treatment option for cataracts. The procedure involves replacing the lens of the eyes with a substitute. Through this process, vets can help dogs restore their vision. It would also help even more if immediate action is taken once the signs of cataracts are obvious. However, due to the nature of surgery, it poses a slight risk.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition in dogs wherein the pressure within the eye reaches high levels, damaging the optic nerve. Glaucoma can be primary genetic or stemming from several factors, occurring due to other eye conditions like cataracts or eye injuries. It’s an eye problem in dogs that need emergency vet care to prevent permanent vision loss.
Early signs of glaucoma include redness, tearing, and sensitivity to light. Dogs may squint or rub their eyes in response to the pain and discomfort they feel. The eye may also become cloudy as the pressure builds, and vision loss can occur rapidly.
Treatment for Glaucoma
Glaucoma treatment typically involves medications to reduce pressure in the eye, such as eye drops or oral medications. In more severe cases, surgery may be needed to relieve pressure or remove the eye if vision cannot be restored. Regular checkups are crucial for managing glaucoma, as the condition can progress quickly without treatment.
Corneal Ulcers
A corneal ulcer is a scratch or wound on the surface of the cornea. This eye problem in dogs can be the result of scratches from foreign objects or animals, infections, or the inflammation caused by chronic dry eye.
Some of the common signs include redness, squinting of the eyes, constant tearing, and possibly cloudiness of the eyes. Dogs with these symptoms are observed to constantly scratch and paw their eyes due to the discomfort. In some cases, ulcers can cause vision loss.
Treatment for Corneal Ulcers
Treatment for corneal ulcers depends on the severity but often includes antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection, along with medications to relieve pain. In some cases, surgery may be required if the ulcer is deep or doesn’t heal with medical treatment. Protecting the eye with an Elizabethan collar can prevent further injury.
Dry Eye
Dry eye occurs when a dog’s tear glands do not produce enough tears to keep the eyes lubricated. This condition can also result from an immune system disorder, infections, or certain medications that affect tear production. Without enough moisture, the eye’s surface becomes dry and irritated, leading to further complications like corneal ulcers.
Common symptoms of dry eye include pain, redness, frequent blinking, and a dull appearance of the eye’s surface. There’s also a chance for a thick discharge because of the lack of tears. Your dog may also paw at their eyes or squint due to the discomfort caused by the dryness.
Treatment for Dry Eye
Dry eye is managed with lubricating eye drops or ointments that help keep the eyes moist. In more severe cases, medications like cyclosporine or tacrolimus are prescribed to stimulate tear production. In extreme cases where medical treatment isn’t effective, surgery may be required to reroute a salivary gland to provide moisture to the eyes.
Preventing Dog Eye Problems
Regular care and attention go a long way in preventing eye problems in your dogs. To help you, here are some tips on preventing dog eye problems:
Regular Eye Cleaning
When it comes to maintaining your dog’s eyes, regular eye cleaning is a good start. Use a vet-recommended eye-cleaning solution or a gentle saline solution to wipe away dirt, dust, or discharge that may irritate your dog’s eyes.
Routine Vet Checkups
Vet visits allow our vets to carefully examine your dog’s eyes and check for any issues and diseases before they get any worse. Through a checkup, we can keep your dog’s eyesight healthy.
Hair Trimming
Regular grooming is a great way to maintain your dog’s eyesight. Keeping the hair around the eyes trimmed short reduces the chance of hair irritating the eyes or trapping debris that could lead to infections.
Conclusion
Your dog’s eyes are essential to its well-being, and being proactive about dog eye health can prevent many common eye issues from turning worse. From regular cleaning and grooming to monitoring for signs of discomfort or irritation, small steps can make a big difference in protecting your dog’s vision. Stop by the clinic, and we’ll discuss the steps we can take to protect your dog’s eyesight.