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Remember how at the very first meet with your dog you had completely fallen in love with those big, dark eyes. Unfortunately, those captivating, expressive eyes are not invincible to disease. It is always best to have a care routine for your pooch’s eyes. You, yourself can check for abnormalities.
To do an eye exam:
In a well-lit area, look into the eyes of your fur-baby. It should appear
- Clear and transparent
- The eye should be free from crust or discharge
- The eye-lining should be pink
It is best to develop healthy habits to prevent any problem like wiping the gunk away from the eyes of your dog with a damp cloth. Carefully wipe outwards along the lining. If you see your teary-eyed pooch understandably facing vision problems, seek the veterinarian’s help immediately. Depending on what has affected your dog’s eyes, the treatment will be ascertained.
The top 5 canine eye problems and their treatments are
Conjunctivitis - It is common in humans, but dogs are also not spared from it. Depending on what has caused the conjunctivitis, a treatment can be chalked out. If it is simple dirt particle reaction, then over the counter saline drops will give some relief to his precious eyes. If a bacterial growth has resulted in the conjunctivitis, then antibiotics will be prescribed.Cataract - Some dog breeds are known to be more prone to cataract than others. Dog breeds such as pug, Siberian husky, boxer to name a few. Other breeds may also get cataract with age. If your pooch gets diagnosed with cataract, then don’t lose heart. Surgery though a very good option is not the only solution. Eye-drops and oral supplements are not just cost effective but also provide enormous relief to the dogs.Glaucoma – It is one of the scariest eye disease which causes blindness. Depending upon the type (primary and secondary) of glaucoma your dog may have, the plan of action will be charted by your veterinarian. It can be treated with eye drops or may require surgery. Like cataract, glaucoma is also more common in certain breeds.Cherry eye - A protrusion from the corner of your pooch’s eye may seem very scary but it is not as painful as you might think it is. It happens when the nictitans gland are not securely attached inside the eyes. If you observe any such swelling, do consult your veterinarian. You will be prescribed a lubricant and, in some cases, may have to even consider surgery.Entropion – It is a condition where the eyelid turns inward. It is a structural abnormality which can damage the cornea. At an early stage, you may find your dog blinking too frequently and you will notice a discharge coming out, on a more advanced stage corneal ulceration is found. Combination of ointment, drops and surgery are used to treat the condition.One thing to remember is that, there are some breeds more prone to eye diseases than others. So, check for the risk factors for your pooch’s breed. And remember the earlier the detection, better the chance of cure.
5 Facts about Your Dog’s Eyes That Perhaps You Didn't Know
You all know that sensory perceptions in dogs is way superior to that of humans. They can see better, smell more, run faster, and perceive things much more acutely than humans. Dogs’ eyes, especially, are quite interesting. Would you like to know some surprising facts about your dog’s eyes and vision? It might help you understand your dog better.
Interesting facts about your dog’s eyes and vision
- Dogs are blind when they are born: Yes, that is correct. Even though dogs eventually end up with better vision than humans, they are born with absolutely no ability to see. In fact, puppies do not even open their eyes for the first few days after birth. It takes a few days, and at times a few weeks, for pups to finally open their eyes and be able to see their siblings, their mom, and their surroundings.
- Dogs can see a limited number of colors: Dogs have a very keen sense of sight. Many people believe dogs see in black and white. Although not completely true, dogs have fewer color sensors in their eyes than humans, so the range of colors they see is limited. Dogs cannot see most shades of red and green and are more attuned to see blues and yellows. Remember this when getting toys for your dog the next time.
- Dog vision works best at dusk and dawn: Yes, just before sunrise and after sunset is when dogs can see the best. This might be a good time to take your dogs out on walks or let them out to run around in the yard as they will possibly enjoy their outdoor jaunts the best at these times.
- Dogs have three eyelids to keep eyes moist: If you thought your dog just have upper and lower eyelids, think again. Dogs have a third eyelid that ensures their eyes remain moist. Some dog breeds are known to have prolapse of this third eyelid, which can cause irritation and pain in the eyes if not diagnosed and fixed in time.
- Dogs can see extremely well in darkness: Many dogs in the wind hunt at night, and have evolved to have extremely good vision at night. Dogs can see really well even when there is barely any light and possibly even in pitch darkness.
These are just some of the many surprising facts about dogs that many people, even dog owners, are not aware of most of the time. Knowing how your dog thinks, sees, smells, and tastes can give you a better understand of your dog’s overall behavior and make sense of quirks and seemingly funny habits that your dog might exhibit.