Common Eye Problems in Dogs

Every dog owner should Keep his furry companion’s eye health in check to keep his vision intact. Issues related to your canine’s eyes can become worsen in a short span of time if you don’t pay attention to it at the right time. Eyes are not only the window to your soul but also your health. Being a responsible pet owner, it is your responsibility to keep your dog’s eye health intact.

To rule out any eye-related issue in your furry companion, it is essential to monitor them regularly. Keeping your dog’s eyes healthy is important to ensure that they function properly. On noticing any discharge coming out or notice your dog squinting then you should consider taking him to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. Dog’s eye condition can progressively increase if left untreated. Moreover, many eye conditions can potentially cause blindness so early diagnose & treatment is the key to keep your dog’s eyes healthy.

To diagnose the issue on time, it is highly important to be aware of the common eye problems in dogs. On noticing any symptoms, you can take all the necessary measures to treat it. Eye problems can occur at any age across all breeds so no matter how young old or young your dog is, you need to always lookout for any problems in him.

In this article, we’ve rounded up some common eye problems that you should look out in your dog:

Pink eye or conjunctivitis

One of the most common eye problems that dogs tend to have is pink eye or conjunctivitis. It is an infection that its major symptoms are redness, drainage & discomfort. Conjunctivitis occurs due to inflammation of the conjunctiva. It can occur due to numerous reasons such as allergic reactions, infections, dust, and ingrown eyelashes. It is quite common eye issues in dogs and it doesn’t cause any major problem. If the pink eye is caused by any bacterial infection then you need to visit the vet as he will prescribe an antibiotic eye drop. If the pink eye is caused by any other reason then you can give a solution to flush the irritant from the eyes.

Tear stains

Another common eye problem in dogs is tear stains. When your furry companion’s eyes are irritated then it can result in producing excessive tears. Dogs have a small duct in the eyes to drain tears. When dogs couldn’t drain their tears properly then the eye discharge can spill out of eyes, creating red-brown streaks down the face. The major cause of this issue is the blocked tear duck which makes it hard for your pooch to drain away his tears. To get rid of this issue, you should consider using tear-stain wipes for dogs to remove all the discharge & to help reduce any chances of irritation in the eyes.

Dry eyes

The next common eye issue is dry eyes. Just like humans, dogs can also have dry eyes, which implies that their tear gland produces fewer tears than normal. Tears are an important component of eyes as it helps in removing any foreign particle from the eyes. It keeps the eyes clean & healthy but when your pooch’s eyes are dry then he won’t be able to clean his eyes naturally. Lack of tears can also cause other major eye-related issues such as corneal ulcers, etc. On noticing dry eyes, you should consider applying artificial teardrops in your dog’s eyes to stimulate tear production.

Glaucoma

The next common eye problem that can affect your furry companion is glaucoma. This issue occurs when the pressure in the eyes get disrupted. To maintain consistent pressure, it is highly crucial to ensure that the production & the drainage of the fluid is well-balanced. The major symptoms of glaucoma are redness in the eyes, corneal cloudiness, increased tear production, etc. On noticing any of these symptoms, you should consider taking your pooch to the vet as delay in the treatment can also cause blindness in your dog so seeking your doctor’s help as soon as possible is highly essential.

Corneal damage

Just like humans, dogs can also suffer from corneal damage by rubbing or scratching their eyes too hard. When the layer that covers cornea gets injured then it can result in causing corneal damage in dogs. It can also happen if something gets poked in his eyes so while brushing around his eyes, you should be very careful not to poke the brush hair in his eyes. Major symptoms of corneal damage are redness in the eyes, excessive tearing, and pain. On noticing any chances of corneal damage, make sure to take him to the vet as soon as possible.

Cataracts

Another common eye problem that can affect your furry companion’s eyes is cataracts. Sometimes, the lens gets blurry or develops cloudiness such a situation is known as a cataract. It blocks the light from reaching the back of the eye which results in affecting the vision of the dog. This eye issue can be treated with eye surgery. On noticing any changes in your dog’s vision or if the color of your dog’s lenses undergoes any change then you should consider taking him to a vet to get his eye tested.

So, these are some of the common eye related issues that can affect your dog. To keep your dog’s vision intact, it is highly crucial to check it regularly and on noticing anything abnormal then you should take him to a vet for a proper eye examination.

Final Thoughts

Wrapping it up, we can say that, diagnosing eye problems at an early stage is very important to avoid anything severe from happening. The dog owners should be aware of all the common eye-related issues so that on noticing any symptoms, they can take speedy action to treat it.

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