Dogs Health Cards N° 05. My Dog - Eye Care

The eyes of a healthy dog ​​are clear and shiny. They must not contain debris, secretions and redness (inflammation). The area around the eyeball should be white.

Common Signs of Eye Disease

Inflammation or redness of the eye or the inside of the eyelids
Material "glued" to the surface or corners of the eyes
Dull or cloudy eye surface
Third eyelid across the eye
Abnormal secretions or excessive tearing
Eye-wrinkled eyes around tears

During a consultation, your veterinarian may be required to carry out diagnostic tests to detect eye diseases

Fluorescein test: it is used to detect the presence of corneal ulcers.
Schirmer's test: it is used to measure the secretion of tears.
Intraocular pressure: it allows to detect glaucoma.
Ophthalmoscopy: it allows to examine the chambers of the eye.

Common eye diseases and signs that characterize them

Conjunctivitis: inflammation of the membrane (it turns red) which covers the inner lining of the eyelids and the white of the eyes. It can be caused by infection, allergy, irritation or insufficient production of tears.

Dry Keratoconjunctivitis (KCS): a disease that occurs when the tear glands do not produce enough tears to properly lubricate a dog's eyes. It can be caused by a virus, a drug reaction, an allergy or an injury. When it becomes chronic, it can lead to blindness. Some breeds of dogs are predisposed there.

Corneal Ulcer: Corneal injury occurs when the cornea is scratched by a foreign body or is damaged by insufficient tear production or bacterial infection. The corneal ulcer is very painful, which can cause the dog to "wrinkle" the eyes. Dogs with globular eyes and older dogs seem more prone to corneal ulcers.

Tearing or Epiphora: If your dog's eyes are constantly "flowing" or the hairs around the eyes appear to be wet, it may mean that the tear ducts are clogged.

Cataract and glaucoma: The dog, just like the human being, can be affected by these serious diseases of the eye. Cataract blurs the lens, an organ located in the eye. This is the most common cause of blindness in dogs. Since this disease is hereditary in some breeds, it is important to have your dog checked by the veterinarian at an early age because the affected animals should not be used for breeding. Glaucoma is a disease characterized by too much pressure inside the eye that occurs when the fluid that fills the eye is not normally discharged.

How to administer eye drops to your dog

It may be necessary to muzzle your dog.
Remove the secretions around the eyes with a cotton swab soaked in lukewarm water.
Refer to your veterinarian's prescription for dosage. Shake the bottle if necessary.
With one hand, hold the bottle between your thumb and forefinger and place your other hand under your dog's jaw to support your head.
Flip your dog's head backwards. To prevent the dog from blinking, hold your eyelids open with your free fingers.
Hold the bottle close to the eye, NOT touching the surface of the eye.
By pressing the bottle, place the drops on the eye, then release the head of your dog.
Your dog will blink, allowing the drug to spread over the entire surface of the eye.

How To Apply Ointment In Your Dog's Eyes

It may be necessary to muzzle your dog.
Remove the secretions around the eyes with a cotton swab soaked in lukewarm water.
Refer to your veterinarian's prescription for dosage.
Carefully lift your dog's upper and lower eyelids apart.
While holding the tube parallel to the lower eyelid, press on the tube so that an amount of ointment is applied to the edge of the eyelid. The tube MUST NOT touch the surface of the eye.
Release your dog's head. Let it blink.
Gently massage the upper and lower eyelids together to distribute the medication.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: For the drug to be fully effective, it should be administered for the full duration of the medication. When you give a medication, remain calm, because your pet can feel your nervousness, which will make your task more difficult. You should always congratulate and reward it!