A dog's eyes are one of the most complex and delicate organs in its body. Taking good care of your dog's eyesalong with understanding what potential problems to look out for such as dog eye infection, can help ensure your dog's eyes will last a lifetime.
Proper care of a dog's eyes is not difficult when the eyes are ordinary. A healthy eye essentially takes care of itself. The eyelids protect the eye, the tears flush out the eye, and the nasolacrimal ducts drain them. For dogs with healthy eyes, correct care essentially means observing them for abnormalities, and seeking veterinary care if any are noted. Some unusual signs observed in dogs include redness, painful eyes (indicated by pawing at the eye or squinting), watery eyes, and cloudy or opaque eyes. Be particularly alert if your dog is a brachycephalic breed, e.g. a Boston terrier, pug, or bulldog. These breeds have disproportionately large eyes and shallow orbits which makes them more exposed to acute wounds to the eye, such as corneal ulcers. Some small-breed white dogs will experience tear-staining, which is usually not a medical problem but does involve some maintenance. Regular cleaning and over the counter oral medications may help to clear up the tear stains. If any abnormalities are noted with your dog's eyes, you must see a vet.
Frequent trips to your veterinarian can also help to maintain the condition of your dog's eyes by facilitating early detection of some conditions. At your dog's frequent trips, your veterinarian will examine the external appearance of your dog's eyes. He or she may also use an tool called an ophthalmoscope to take a look at your dog's retinas. Your vet will notice certain problems, e.g. dry eye, cataracts, and indicators of eye cancers far earlier than you would at home. Early identification of these conditions may help to stop permanent damage to the eye, and can even save your dog's life in the case of certain cancers.
Regular veterinary visits also help to maintain the condition of your dog's eyes by improving the general fitness of the rest of your dog's body. Many systemic illnesses can affect the eyes. A classic example would be diabetes, which is a disorder of insulin production that causes unusually high blood sugar. Diabetes mellitus is a major cause of cataracts in dogs. Uncontrolled diabetes causes dogs to accumulate too much sugar within the lens of the eye, which causes water to be pulled into the lens, which swells the lens and breaks up the lens fibers, causing a cataract. Most diabetic dogs with cataracts will completely lose their vision and surgery will be needed to restore it. Many pet owners do not recognize the indicators of diabetes until the disease is advanced and chronic. Regular blood work performed at your dog's veterinary visits can help to diagnose diabetes early so that treatment can be started and cataracts staved off for as long as possible.
Taking proper care of your dog's eyes mostly entails watching them for issues, visiting your veterinarian if problems are noted, and taking note of your vet's recommendations for frequent visits that may improve your dog's overall health as well as the condition of itseyes.
Proper care of a dog's eyes is not difficult when the eyes are ordinary. A healthy eye essentially takes care of itself. The eyelids protect the eye, the tears flush out the eye, and the nasolacrimal ducts drain them. For dogs with healthy eyes, correct care essentially means observing them for abnormalities, and seeking veterinary care if any are noted. Some unusual signs observed in dogs include redness, painful eyes (indicated by pawing at the eye or squinting), watery eyes, and cloudy or opaque eyes. Be particularly alert if your dog is a brachycephalic breed, e.g. a Boston terrier, pug, or bulldog. These breeds have disproportionately large eyes and shallow orbits which makes them more exposed to acute wounds to the eye, such as corneal ulcers. Some small-breed white dogs will experience tear-staining, which is usually not a medical problem but does involve some maintenance. Regular cleaning and over the counter oral medications may help to clear up the tear stains. If any abnormalities are noted with your dog's eyes, you must see a vet.
Frequent trips to your veterinarian can also help to maintain the condition of your dog's eyes by facilitating early detection of some conditions. At your dog's frequent trips, your veterinarian will examine the external appearance of your dog's eyes. He or she may also use an tool called an ophthalmoscope to take a look at your dog's retinas. Your vet will notice certain problems, e.g. dry eye, cataracts, and indicators of eye cancers far earlier than you would at home. Early identification of these conditions may help to stop permanent damage to the eye, and can even save your dog's life in the case of certain cancers.
Regular veterinary visits also help to maintain the condition of your dog's eyes by improving the general fitness of the rest of your dog's body. Many systemic illnesses can affect the eyes. A classic example would be diabetes, which is a disorder of insulin production that causes unusually high blood sugar. Diabetes mellitus is a major cause of cataracts in dogs. Uncontrolled diabetes causes dogs to accumulate too much sugar within the lens of the eye, which causes water to be pulled into the lens, which swells the lens and breaks up the lens fibers, causing a cataract. Most diabetic dogs with cataracts will completely lose their vision and surgery will be needed to restore it. Many pet owners do not recognize the indicators of diabetes until the disease is advanced and chronic. Regular blood work performed at your dog's veterinary visits can help to diagnose diabetes early so that treatment can be started and cataracts staved off for as long as possible.
Taking proper care of your dog's eyes mostly entails watching them for issues, visiting your veterinarian if problems are noted, and taking note of your vet's recommendations for frequent visits that may improve your dog's overall health as well as the condition of itseyes.
About the Author:
Cathy Doggins is the writer of many articles on dog eye care. She is a long-time contributor to the Dog Health Guide, a prominent online publication on dog health. When not playing with her two dogs, Cathy is frequently found helping out at a local shelter.
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