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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.
