Eye problems in dogs are very common. While in some cases, these issues can be mild and managed at home, others can be quite serious and would need urgent veterinary care. There are different ways to ensure that your dogs have healthy eyesight. But how can you tell when to bring your dog to the vet for necessary eye care?
When a dog experiences eye pain, it will attempt to hide it and switch to using the other eye if they become blind. Dogs don't exhibit apparent visual defects until they have lost at least 80% of their vision. It implies that owners typically become aware of their pets' visual issues as the condition advances.
The Anatomy of a Dog's Eye
It's critical to understand the anatomy of your dog's eyes so that you can seek veterinary care if they appear abnormal.
The sclera is the white area of the eye that rims the clear windshield part of the eye or cornea. A thin pink membrane or conjunctiva covers the sclera and can become reddened and puffy similar to allergies. The sclera is normally white at the top of the eye and slightly pink at the bottom.
Dogs have third eyelids that are thin membranes concealed in the lower inner corners of the eyes and covered by conjunctiva. Particular muscles can pull the eye deeper into the socket, allowing the third eyelid to slide up and shield the cornea.
The coloured part of the eye is known as the iris. It is usually brown but can also be yellowish, blue, or even two colours or heterochromia. The pupil is round and black and should constrict when exposed to light and dilate when exposed to darkness. Both pupils in normal geriatric dogs are typically a hazy bluish-grey colour; this normal aging of the senile lens is known as nuclear sclerosis.
Unless the dog has significant age-related cataracts, functional vision is unaffected. Normal lenses should not be milky blue or white; if they are, an advanced cataract may be present.
Learn About Your Dog's Eyes
Understanding how your dog's eyes appear in their natural state is critical. Take baseline reference photos and photos/videos of any eye issues you are concerned about.
A dog's eyes should be bright, shiny, clear, and of equal size. The pupils should be the same size as well. In the dark, shine a light into your dog's eyes if it appears cloudy; this could indicate the development of cataracts.
If the discharge is present, consider whether it is wet, sticky, ropy, or crusty, as well as its colour: is it clear, grey, yellow, green, red, brown, or reddish-brown? When are you going to see it? Is it present all the time, or only in the mornings?
Discharge is common in normal dog eyes; some healthy dogs have a slight grey bead of discharge or a small dried grey/brown crust at the inside corner of the eye. Contact your veterinarian if the discharge becomes excessive or changes colour.
Symptoms of Eye Pain
When it comes to pain, dogs can be either wimpy or tough. Squinting is always a warning sign, but some dogs with eye pain do not squint and instead sleep more, move less, and eat less.
Excessive discharge can occur in conjunction with clinical symptoms of eye pain. The discharge from the eyes can also be grey, yellow, green, or bloody. Its consistency can range from watery to stringy to thick, like pus.
Even if the discharge looks clear and clean, it might leave a reddish-brown eyelid stain. This can be problematic if one of the eyelids is somewhat more tightly closed or shut entirely. If your dog rubs at either eye with a paw or on the couch and carpet, that is another indicator of pain.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Regularly have your dog's eyes examined by a vet. Regular eye exams are crucial because many major canine eye disorders are "silent," making it impossible for dog parents to catch them before it's too late. Numerous eye conditions in dogs require rapid diagnosis and care because, if neglected, they can result in persistent pain and irreversible vision loss.
Remember that, depending on the situation, your veterinarian may not diagnose and treat your dog's eye disease accurately so they may recommend you to a board-certified vet ophthalmologist.