How to take care of your Dog’s eyes?

How to take care of your Dog’s eyes?

As a pet parent, your dog’s eye health might not be top of mind. After all, there are vet checks, vaccinations and preventative treatments to deal with.However, looking after your dog’s eyes are an important part of caring for your special fur pal. Not to mention an essential part of being a responsible pet owner!Just like us humans, there are lots of things that can irritate a dog’s eyes — from dirt and dust to more serious things like dry eye, cataracts and glaucoma.So, the key message is — don’t take your dog’s eye health for granted. Make sure you check your dog’s eyes regularly for any changes or signs of irritation.

Managing your dog’s eye health: the warning signs

Dogs can suffer from a wide range of eye conditions; some of the more common ones include conjunctivitis, glaucoma, cataracts and dry eye.

Indeed, just like in humans, the earlier dog eye health issues are identified and treated the better. Leaving a canine eye issue untreated can cause more serious problems.

Of course, pet parents aren’t expected to be able to diagnose an eye disorder but it is helpful to recognize the signs of a dog eye health issue.

Common signs that may suggest something is not quite right include:

• frequent blinking or squinting
• redness
• tearing
• yellow or green discharge
• cloudiness
• Indication of decreased vision, such as banging into things, poor balance or confusion
• light sensitivity

A healthy dog’s eyes should be clear, bright and free from dirt, discharge and inflammation (redness). The whites of the eye should be white, not red or yellow.

Common signs that your dog may have an eye problem include:

• Red inner eyelids
• Matter stuck on the surface or in the corners of the eye
• Cloudiness within the eyeball
• A dull eye surface
• The third eyelid coming across the eye which looks like a pink curtain or fold of membrane
• Excessive tearing or unusual discharges
• Tear-stained fur around the eyes

Eye tests used to diagnose eye problems in dogs include:

• Fluorescein stain test to identify the presence of corneal ulcers or defects in the surface of the eye
• Schirmer Tear Test to measure the level of tear production
• Eye pressure measurement to detect glaucoma
• Ophthalmoscopy to look at the internal structures of the eye

How To Maintain The Twinkle And Sharpness Of Your Dogs Eyes

Dogs are known for their sharp instinctive and intuitive insights. They are blessed with sharp visions. But their eyes require lots of care. To maintain the twinkle and the sharpness of the eyes of the dogs, a few pointers can be of great help.

These are the guidelines which you need to monitor in dogs regarding their sensitive organ.

1. Take a careful look into the eye:Look through the eye of your pet to find the clarity. Clarity and moistness indicate healthy eyes. The eyeball should have a white area around it. If you find any of it missing, time to fix an appointment with your vet.
2. The lower eyelid:Take a closer look into the eye of the dog and lower eyelid to find the pink lining inside it. In case it appears to be white or red, it indicates eye problem. Be careful while examining the lower eyelid as even a bit of rough handling may be dangerous.

 The following signs in the eyes need to be treated:

• Discharge from the eyes
• Tear noticeable inside the eye.
• Red/ white eyelid lining
• Tear stained fur
• Visible third eyelid
• Change in the color of the eye
• Closed eye
• Unequal pupil size

In case you find any of the above mentioned conditions of the eye, make sure to consult the doctor.

6. Clean wipes:Take a damp cotton ball and carefully wipe outward starting from the cornea of the eye. Runny eyes indicate infection and  requires medication.
7. Make way for a clear vision: We love long haired dogs and find them particularly adorable. But be sure the locks are not a hindrance in their vision and in no way fall closer to their eyes. The best answer is to keep their locks properly trimmed.
8. Drive the dog around with caution: Your dog loves the drive in your car. But make sure that the windows are properly rolled up to prevent the dust from invading the eye and causing trouble.
9. Genetic: Some dogs are prone to eye disorders as it is hereditary in some cases. A little research done about the ancestors of the breed can go a long way in maintaining the wellness of your dog’s eyes. Glaucoma is a genetic eye disorder.
10. Unusual eye behavior: If you find your pet fiddling or rubbing its eyes frequently, it may be developing some problem which requires medical attention.
11. Other eye disorders: Conjunctivitis and red eye is a common disorder among the eyes of the dogs and it has to be attended with care. Mucus formation in the eye is also a common ailment. All of it requires medical supervision.

So here we are, I am sure the above guidelines will be of a great value while dealing with eyes of your pet.

When faced with a problem of the eye, make sure to take your dog to the doctor. Medical treatment of the eyes of the dogs can be administered in three ways – topical, local or systemic. Most of the treatment is topical or local which means that it can be administered directly to the eye in the form of

• Eye drops
• Eye formulations
• Eye ointments.

In some cases, oral antibiotics are also prescribed. Do not hesitate to take your pet to the doctor and save its eyes at the proper time.

There is a myth that dogs have poor vision. While they see the world differently than we do, dog vision is optimized for what their wild ancestors did: hunt. Dogs can detect tiny movements of potential prey from distances that humans would require binoculars to notice. They aren’t as good at seeing fine detail up close, but they use their other senses to fill in any missing information. Dogs have very acute senses of smell and hearing, as any pet parent knows when their dog howls at the ambulance long before any human hears it. These senses more than make up for any lack of visual acuity.

The Anatomy of a Dog’s Eye

Dogs have excellent vision in low-light due to their high number of rod cells. This is aided by a tapetum lucidum, a layer of reflective cells that directs light toward the retina. The tapetum lucidum is what makes animals’ eyes glow in flashlights and headlights. Dogs are red-green color blind but can use cues of brightness to detect differences in shades they can’t see. Cones are the type of cells that provide color vision. Dogs have fewer cone cells than humans do.Beyond these differences, the eyes of dogs are largely identical to eyes of humans and they develop similar diseases.The rod cells, cone cells, and tapetum lucidum are part of the retina. The retina is the part of the eye that turns light cues into signals for the brain to interpret as objects. Other important parts of the eye to know are the lens which is responsible for focusing and the cornea which is the clear protective outer surface. The iris is the colored portion of the eye. There are no differences in vision based on the color of the iris.

The eye is a very complicated and sensitive structure, which means that there are many opportunities for things to go wrong. Some are due to breed conformation and other issues are due to age, but very few are truly preventable.

Brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs such as Pugs may have eyelids that don’t stay fully closed during sleep. The area that is exposed to air can become dry; known as exposure keratitis,this can lead to ulceration of the cornea. A corneal ulcer is a break in the clear protective coating of the eye. Due to their short noses offering less protection, brachycephalic breeds are also at higher risk from a traumatic corneal ulcer.

Trauma – for example, when your cat tells your dog who’s boss with a swat across the face – can cause a break in the cornea. Traumatic ulcers usually heal well because the eye is healthy before the ulcer develops. For most dogs, once the ulcer heals (usually in about a week), it’s hard to tell it was even there. However, during healing, the ulcer will cause your dog to squint and have a puffy, painful eye. I recommend visiting your veterinarian for medicated ointment; medication will help the healing process and reduce the likelihood of complications such as infection. Some breeds, like Boxers, are more likely to develop complicated ulcers that require veterinary intervention and minor surgery to heal.

Ulcers can also be caused by insufficient tear production, known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). KCS is due to inflammation of the tear-producing structures. Dogs with KCS have thick discharge from their eyes. It looks similar to the material that may build up overnight and be easily wiped away in the morning. In dogs with KCS, there is more material and it can even build up on the eye itself. It can be treated with medicated daily eye drops or ointments.

Age-Related Changes

Some of the diseases of dogs’ eyes are more common in older dogs. For example, lenticular sclerosis is a haziness of the lens that is a normal part of aging. It’s a side note on my physical exam of most of my senior patients. Lenticular sclerosis makes vision more fuzzy. Cataracts, on the other hand, are a type of crystallization of the lens that prevents light from reaching the retina, causing blindness. Cataracts are more common in dogs with diabetes or in breeds with genetic predispositions (in which case they can develop at any age). Cataracts can be removed and replaced with an artificial lens by a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Diabetes causes other problems in the eye too. Glaucoma, high pressure inside the eye, is most common in diabetic dogs. Glaucoma can be very painful and should be monitored closely and treated by your veterinarian. Uncontrolled or severe glaucoma is a common reason for having to remove a dog’s eye.

Enucleation, or removal of the eye, is a common surgery performed by veterinarians for both dogs and cats (and cows). It seems drastic because we, as humans, rely on our vision for so many everyday activities. In humans, you may not even know if someone you meet has a prosthetic eye – but a dog with only one eye has the other side sewn closed, making it more noticeable.Enucleation can really be the best option for your dog, especially if the eye is blind, painful, or has cancer.

What happens when dogs go blind?

When dogs go blind, you may not notice seemingly obvious signs like bumping into furniture – instead, you might notice a change in behavior. Your dog has a mental map of the places she frequents and can avoid objects with only small visual cues, like outlines and shade. As your dog loses her vision, she may be more anxious in new places or when left alone. Some dogs experience night blindness where they can no longer see in low light. Placing night lights throughout the house is a great way to reduce the anxiety associated with diminishing vision by making night more bright. If you think your dog is blind, talk to your veterinarian. The blindness may be due to other underlying conditions that are treatable, like high blood pressure or tick diseases. Treating these conditions won’t restore your dog’s sight, but they may improve his quality of life.

Common canine eye issues

Looking after your dog’s eye health goes hand in hand with being a responsible pet owner. There are myriad things that can cause eye health issues in dogs. What’s more, eye disorders can range from minor ailments to serious, long-term problems.

Being aware of the common eye problems and knowing the most frequent signs and symptoms is vital for identifying any eye issues early on. Here we’ve detailed some of the more popular eye concerns in dogs.

Cataracts

Cataracts in dogs can be hereditary, a result of genetics, or caused by an injury. However, a common cause is diabetes. Thus, if your dog has diabetes it may be more prone to developing cataracts.

If cataracts cover less than 30% of the lens, the dog should not be visually impaired. If the cloudiness increases and covers 60% or more of the lens, vision is likely to be affected.

In some cases, cataracts can remain static. Whether or not the condition progresses depends on various factors including the type of cataract, the breed of dog, as well as other risk factors—such as the presence of disease and age of the dog.

Which breeds are most at risk?

Breeds prone to hereditary cataracts: American Cocker Spaniel, Labarador Retriever, French Poodle, Boston Terrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel, to mention a few.

Treatment

In the case of cataracts, you will need to take your canine chum to the vet. A vet will perform an eye exam to identify the level of vision impairment. It is possible to have cataracts removed by a veterinary ophthalmologist, but the first step is to contact your local vet.

Dry eye

The technical (medical) term for dry eye in dogs is Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). No wonder people tend to stick with ‘dry eye’!

There are several causes of dry eye, but it is most commonly associated with a disorder of the immune system.

In basic terms, dry eye occurs when the tear glands become inflamed and unable to produce the normal amount of tears that the eyes need to keep them lubricated and healthy.

Certainly, dry eye can be painful for pooches and, if left untreated, the condition can worsen.

Nonetheless, just like in humans, if dry eye is spotted early it can be successfully treated . The symptoms of dry eye include:

• discharge around the eye
• red eye
• rubbing or pawing at the face and eye area
• frequent blinking (or more than usual)
• recurrent eye infections

Which breeds are most at risk?

While any breed of dog can develop dry eye, the breeds more likely to develop the condition include: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, English Bull Dog, Springer Spaniel, Pug, West Highland White Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier and Shih Tzu.

Treatment

If you suspect your furry friend has dry eye, contact your local vet for a diagnosis.

Treatment typically involves applying medicated drops twice daily to help stimulate tear production. Tear film replacement or false tears can be used alongside medicated eye drops to help keep the eyes moist and healthy.

Pet owners can assist by gently cleaning the dog’s eyes. Simply use cotton wool or a soft, clean face cloth and warm water. This can also help stimulate tear film production and get rid of sticky or dried discharge around the eye area.

Note: dry eye can make dogs more prone to eye infections so keep a look out for this. If your dog develops an eye infection it will need antibiotic eye drops from the vet.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma occurs when there is a build-up of pressure inside the eye that eventually damages the eye structure (the optic nerve and retina).

It can be inherited (primary glaucoma) or caused by another underlying condition (secondary glaucoma), such as cataracts or retinal detachment.

The symptoms of glaucoma to look out for include:

• squinting and blinking
• change in pupils – they become overly large or overly small, and unresponsive to light changes
• redness
• abnormal appearance of the pupil
• sticky discharge, making the eyes hard to open

Which breeds are most at risk?

Dog breeds prone to glaucoma: Beagle, Basset Hound, Boston Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Shar-Pei, Siberian Husky, Pug, Labrador Retriever, and Toy Poodle.

Treatment

It’s important to take your dog to the vet for examination if you suspect glaucoma.

The treatment will differ, depending on whether it is primary or secondary glaucoma. Typically though, medication will need to be administered to help reduce the pressure inside the eye. If medication fails, it may be necessary to have laser therapy or the lens surgically removed.

Conjunctivitis/eye infection

Conjunctivitis is a condition where the pink tissue under the eyelid becomes infected and inflamed. It can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

While the most common form found in dogs is non-infectious, it pays to be careful. If you have more than one dog, it’s probably best to keep them separated until the conjunctivitis clears up.

Signs to watch out for include:

• blinking/squinting or partial closing of the eyes
• red or puffy eyes
• discharge
• swollen eyelid
• pawing and rubbing of eyes

Which breeds are most at risk?

Sheepdogs, Poodles and Maltese dogs, amongst other breeds that have long hair around their faces, are more predisposed to eye infections and irritations.

Treatment

As with any eye-related issue, it’s best to have it checked by a vet. While non-infectious conjunctivitis is not highly serious, it can cause your furry friend discomfort. Plus, it won’t clear up without treatment.

Depending on the underlying cause, you might need to administer an anti-inflammatory eye treatment or antibiotic ointment. You can also gently wash the eye to soothe it and remove the build-up of discharge.

Dogs are susceptible to a variety of eye infections and issues. It is essential to know how to take care of your dog’s eyes and watch for any signs of disease or other problems.

One common problem is an eye infection. Dogs can get an eye infection from several sources, including bacteria, viruses, or foreign objects. Symptoms of an eye infection include redness, inflammation, discharge, and pain. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, it is essential to take them to the veterinarian for treatment.

Another common issue is dry eyes. This can be caused by several factors, such as allergies, dust, smoke, or wind. Dogs with dry eyes may have a discharge and often squint or paw at their eyes. Treatment for dry eyes may include artificial tears, anti-inflammatory drugs, or surgery.

In some cases, dogs may need to remove their eyes due to disease or injury. If your dog needs to have its eyes cleared, several options are available for providing them with vision. One option is called a “vision prosthesis.” This device is implanted in the eye socket and helps the dog see. Another option is to train the dog to use their other senses to navigate around safely.

It is essential to keep your dog’s eyes healthy and watch for any signs of infection or other problems. If you notice any symptoms, take your dog to the veterinarian for treatment. There are several options available for dogs who need to have their eyes removed, and most dogs can live a whole happy life with vision prostheses or other means of seeing.

Just like humans, dogs can suffer from a variety of eye issues. Some common problems include infections, inflammation, and even tumors.

If your dog has any eye issues, it’s essential to take him to the vet as soon as possible. Untreated eye problems can lead to blindness or other serious complications.

Fortunately, most dogs’ eye problems can be treated with medication or surgery. Here are a few tips on how to take care of your dog’s eyes:

• Keep your dog’s eyes clean by wiping them with a damp cloth every day.
• If your dog has an infection or other type of eye problem, administer the appropriate medication as prescribed by your veterinarian.
• Avoid letting your dog rub his eyes with his paws, which can aggravate the problem.
• Make sure your dog gets plenty of rest and avoid exposing him to bright sunlight or other harsh environments.

Just like humans, dogs are susceptible to a variety of eye issues. Some common problems include conjunctivitis, dry eyes, and cataracts. If your dog is experiencing any eye problems, it is essential to take care of them as soon as possible.One of dogs’ most common eye problems is conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. Conjunctivitis is an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelid. Symptoms of conjunctivitis include redness, swelling, discharge, and crusting around the eyes. If your dog has conjunctivitis, he will need to be treated with antibiotics.

Another common eye problem in dogs is dry eyes. Dry eyes can be caused by various factors, including aging, hormonal changes, and environmental irritants. Symptoms of dry eyes include excessive tearing, inflammation, and discharge. If your dog has dry eyes, he will need to be treated with artificial tears or other medications.

Cataracts are a common eye problem in dogs that lead to blindness. Cataracts are caused by the accumulation of proteins on the lens of the eye, which results in a loss of transparency. Symptoms of cataracts include cloudy vision and difficulty seeing in dim light. If your dog has cataracts, he will likely need surgery to remove the lenses and replace them with prosthetic ones.

If your dog is experiencing any eye problems, it is essential to take care of them as soon as possible. Some common treatments for dogs’ eyes include antibiotics, artificial tears, and surgery. By taking care of your dog’s eyes, you can help ensure that he retains his vision for years to come.

Compiled  & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)

Image-Courtesy-Google

Reference-On Request.