What is the most important thing when it comes to taking care of my dog's eyes?
The key is early intervention. If you notice anything unusual about your dog's eyes, get them to a veterinarian immediately.
Dr. Meghan Denney
Four Paws At Fulshear
How does proper eye care impact the health and well-being of my dog?
Eyes are essential for dogs to perceive the world and for their training. In general, your dog needs their eyes to do lots of things. Yes, they can rely on other senses, but their eyes are very important. Problems with eyes can cause severe discomfort for your dog. Think about how much it hurts when you get something in your eye. That feeling is horrible, and that's exactly how your dog feels, so eye health also relates to pain management.
What are some signs and symptoms that my dog may have an eye issue?
Common symptoms include squinting, which is a sure sign that their eyes are hurting. Excessive tearing may also be a sign. Some breeds are more prone to tearing due to allergies, which can be semi-normal, but if it's much more than what you usually see, you need to get them to the veterinarian. Red and inflamed conjunctiva, which is the pink part at the bottom of their eyes. If it's red and swollen, it's not normal. Unusual eye discharge is another sign, so if your pet's eye boogers are usually a clear color but now it's green or yellow, it indicates infection. Dogs may also paw at their eyes or rub them on furniture.
Why is it important to avoid self-diagnosing my dog's eye issues?
Incorrect diagnosis can lead to permanent vision loss. Early intervention is cheaper and more effective.
How will a veterinarian diagnose a problem with vision or other eye issues in my dog?
We conduct a thorough eye exam, checking the retina, optic nerve, and optic vessels. We also test reflexes and perform vision tests. Another thing I'll do to check their vision is poke my finger towards their eye. A dog doesn't know that I won't poke him in the face, so if a finger is coming at their eye, they should blink or pull away, indicating that they see it. I will also cover one of their eyes and drop a cotton ball in front of the dog to see if they're tracking movement. If needed, we may also perform a corneal stain to check for scratches or ulcers if the dog is squinting.
If you still have other questions and you"d like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (281) 801-1444, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we"ll get back to you as fast as we can. Don"t forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Dog Eye Care - FAQs
Dr. Meghan Denney
Four Paws At Fulshear
How can I tell if my dog's eye is injured?
The best way to determine if your dog's eye is injured is by visually examining the eye. Look for abnormalities such as redness, discharge, excessive tearing, or squinting. Other signs may include the dog refusing to open its eye, swollen eyelids, or the presence of a cyst or growth on the eye. These are indicators that something is wrong and needs to be checked out.
Are certain dog breeds more prone to eye issues?
Yes, breeds with smooshed faces, also known as brachycephalic, such as Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsas, Pekingese, and in some cases Pomeranians, are more prone to eye issues. This is due to their shallow orbits. However, eye issues can occur in any breed.
How are cataracts diagnosed in a dog and what is the treatment?
Cataracts are where the lens becomes super thickened, and it's almost mineralized. No light can get to the back of the eye. I cannot see to the back of the retina when I'm looking with my scope, and they cannot see out. Cataracts can be diagnosed through a physical exam. They appear like a bright white starburst in the eye. The only 100% effective treatment for cataracts is cataract surgery, in which the diseased lens is liquefied and replaced with an artificial one. It's actually amazing because these animals wake up and they can see. There was a case I saw in vet school, it was an older diabetic dog. She was about eight or nine, and she's been blind for two years. She was my patient, and when she woke up, I was right there with her. I got to take her outside for the first time, and she hadn't been able to see for two years. Just seeing the joy on this dog's face is amazing. There are veterinary ophthalmologists that can perform cataract surgery, but it's a highly rewarding surgery and it is a fix.
Can a dog get pink eye and is it contagious to other pets and people?
Dogs can get pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis. If the conjunctivitis is caused by an upper respiratory tract infection, it can be contagious to other dogs but is usually not contagious to people. There are different types of conjunctivitis: allergic, viral, and bacterial. But the main thing is that it's just inflammation of the pink part or the fleshy part of the eye.
What can I do for my dog that has a cherry eye?
Cherry eye is a condition where there's a third little eye gland that you usually can't see. This gland is there to help produce tears, and in some dogs, the ligament that holds it down in place can be a little stretchy, and the gland can pop out. Cherry eye is like this bright red gland. It'll look like there's a little red tumor right here on your dog's eye. They are typically not bothersome to the dog as long as they're not traumatized. They can traumatize them, in which case they need to come in and have meds, and you'll know because it'll be even redder or even bleeding. It can be surgically repaired. It's recommended to not remove the gland as it can lead to dry eye later in life. Surgery performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist to tack the gland back down has a better prognosis.
What is the best way to give my dog their eye medication?
Depending on your dog's temperament, you can either approach from the front or from behind. For dogs that are head shy, coming from behind the head and using a finger to drop the medication in can be more comfortable. Always reward them with a treat or praise afterwards to reinforce positive behavior.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (281) 801-1444, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram