Entirely Dog - Dog Eye Problems

Dog Eye Problems And Dog Eye Infections

If you have good eyesight, think for a second what it would be like if

you couldn't see at all. Well it's no different for your pet. Dog eye problems will change his life much like it would change yours. His eyesight determines how he relates to the world and his environment. So much like you would care for your own eyes, you should also care for your pet's. That means being observant enough to notices early signs of disease and then acting quickly. It also means regular trips to the veterinarian. Here are some common dog eye problems to look out for.

Cataracts - The lens of the eye in a dog with cataracts will be come opaque. The effects are gradual. Vision slowly diminishes until eventually, all sight is gone. In some cases, your pet may have an allergic reaction to cataracts forming scar tissue and even glaucoma. The good news is that they can be treated surgically, but the earlier you catch the problem the better the results will be. Typically, cataracts is an inherited problem, but there are other factors that can produce them. These include diabetes, eye trauma, inflammation, and even some of the formulas given to puppies to replace mothers milk.

Cherry Eye - This one is hard to predict although some breeds are much more susceptible than others. You'll find it most frequently in young Poodles, Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, Shih-Tzu's and Beagles. So what is Cherry Eye? It's when the tear gland on your pet's third eyelid becomes displace. It sounds painful but the actual occurrence is not. However if the gland is left exposed, it will become irritated and inflamed. The only real solution is to replace the gland.

Corneal Ulcers - These will occur on the eye's surface. The thin layer of tissue covering the eye is called the epithelial tissue. A Corneal Ulcer occurs when this is scratched or torn. Generally this happens if the eye is rubbed or some form of debris (dust, sand etc.) gets into the eye. Again, this is typically not too painful, but a dog eye infection can occur. This means you as a pet owner must care for the eye by cleaning it regularly. Typically your vet will give you antibiotic eye drops.

Entropion - Simply put, with this the dog cannot use his eyelid because the eyelid has rolled inward. It means that eye will have to be kept moist through the constant use of eye drops. The eyes can become irritated and inflamed and the only real solution is through surgery. Some breeds that will be most likely to have this problem include Bulldogs, Shar-Peis, Chow Chows, Retrievers and Rottweilers.

Glaucoma - Glaucoma is a serious condition that needs to be treated immediately. What happens is that the pressure in the eye increases. This is extremely painful and will threaten your dog's sight and even his odds of keeping the eye. Keep a close watch for symptoms. These include a bulging eye, dilated pupils, an increase in squinting, blinking or eye rubbing, and a very severe blood shot look. If you notice any of these things, take your pet to the vet immediately. Don't wait a day because if the symptoms are left untreated even for that long, your pet is being subjected to lots of pain and chances are the eye will be lost.

The best advice here is to talk to your vet before you notice any problems. He'll tell you more things to watch for so you can detect any eye disease early. Armed with this knowledge and keeping a close watch on your pet for any changes in habits, behavior or appearance, you'll be able to keep your dog's eyes healthy for a long time.