Let s take a look at some of the most common eye problems dogs experience and how pet parents.
What do healthy dog eyes look like.
Do this very gently using your fingers.
Maintaining dog eye health is critical to having a happy and healthy pet.
Cataracts therefore are something dog owners should be able to spot and understand.
This is commonly considered to be an aesthetic problem but can also be a symptoms or sign of a foreign object stuck in a dog s eye which is why veterinary consultation is necessary.
Cyanosis can be caused by a variety of issues.
Epiphora eye discharge is known as a symptom rather than an eye disease.
Unfortunately a number of diseases can disrupt the way a dog s eyes function.
And finally watch for signs that may indicate an eye problem like pawing or rubbing.
Check the lining of your dog s eyes.
Epiphora in dogs is characterized by continuous tearing.
Keep irritants like shampoos soaps and flea medicine away from the eyes.
Signs of dog eye problems include blood vessels that look engorged any bruises around the eye or a sclera which is yellow could be dog jaundice and discharge such as mucous.
If your canine pal is exhibiting discomfort redness or even sensitivity to light it s a good idea to consult your veterinarian.
To help keep your canine companion s eyes bright and healthy keep long hair out of its eyes take your dog to a groomer or use round tipped scissors to trim the hair.
Return to normal colour within 2 3 seconds.
A cataract is an opacity or imperfection in the lens of the eye says dr.
Depending upon the size of the dog s head and your hands you may rest the middle finger or heal of the hand holding the bottle or tube on the cat s head to keep your hand more steady and reduce the risk of poking the dog in the.
No irritation cuts or debris.
If your dog is sick the gums can change colour.
Eye drops disperse across the surface of the eye rapidly and do not need to be rubbed across the eye by massaging.
Gums also go pale when a dog is in shock like after a road traffic accident.
If inadequate amounts of oxygen are being circulated through your dog s blood supply its gums may turn blue or purple this gum color is referred to medically as cyanosis.
Check to make sure that the eye is not red and that the lining of the eye looks healthy e g.
There are many causes of eye infections in dogs.
Just like us dogs have eyelids that protect the eye.
This constant moisture can cause the eye area to swell and become infected.
In a healthy dog eye the dog conjunctiva color should match the color of the dog s gums.
A dog s eyes perform a nearly miraculous function converting reflected light into nerve impulses that the brain uses to form images of the world.
To do this well all the various parts of the eye must be healthy.
Matthew fife owner of the veterinary ophthalmology center in orlando florida.
When you press the gums the colour will be slow to return.
Pneumonia congestive heart failure pulmonary thromboembolism and other respiratory problems can cause this blue gum coloration if the.