Identifying Dog Eye Issues: Key Signs & Solutions

How to Identify Eye Issues in Dogs?

Abnormal Tears

If your dog is continuously shedding tears even without any dust in its eyes, and the tears become cloudy, it's a sign that there might be a problem with its eyes.

Accumulation of Eye Discharge

When a dog's eyes are inflamed, the tears may become thick and cloudy due to the presence of puslike secretions. These tears are difficult to drain through the tear ducts and often accumulate in the corners of the eyes, forming large, hard lumps. This is quite different from normal eye boogers. If there are no other symptoms like fever, you can rule out diseases like canine distemper and canine infectious hepatitis.

Rubbing or Scratching the Eyes

First, make sure there is no sand or other foreign objects in your dog's eyes. If your dog is experiencing itching or pain around its eyes, it may scratch at the wall or its own face with its paws. This behavior can also occur if the dog has inflammation, retinal disease, subconjunctival hemorrhage, or conditions like cataracts or glaucoma that affect its vision.

Swelling of the Eyelids

If the eyelids become red, inflamed, or visibly swollen, it indicates that your dog's eyes are inflamed.

Red Eyes

When a dog has conjunctivitis and keratitis, the corners, eyelids, or the white of the eye may become red. Eye issues often affect only one side, but if both conjunctivae are red, it could be a sign of another problem.

Protruding Eyes

Protruding eyes are a sign of increased intraocular pressure, which can lead to glaucoma. Dogs with glaucoma may experience vision loss and severe pain.

White Eyes

If you notice a cloudy white substance in the black part of your dog's eye, it could be a sign of cataracts. Puppies may have congenital cataracts, while dogs over 6 years old are more likely to have senile cataracts. Dogs with cataracts often experience vision loss.

Entropion

Entropion is one of the main causes of keratitis and corneal ulcers. Due to the inward movement of the eyelashes, the eyelids and eyelid pouches are pulled inwards, towards the eye, causing direct and continuous irritation to the cornea. This condition is often congenital.

Ectropion

Ectropion is also a congenital condition with a genetic component, primarily affecting the lower eyelids. It involves the eyelids and eyelashes turning outwards, exposing the red mucous membrane of the cornea. Ectropion can easily lead to conjunctivitis and red eye disease.

Keratitis and Corneal Ulcers

Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea caused by irritation. If it worsens, it can lead to necrosis of infiltrative tissue and ulcers, or corneal defects caused by sharp objects like eyelashes. Once corneal lesions occur, dogs will experience symptoms such as watering eyes, photophobia, cloudy cornea, corneal vascularization, and eyelid spasm, regardless of the severity of the lesions.

What Should Owners Do When Their Dog's Eyes Have Issues?

Use PetSpecific Eye Drops to Clean the Eyes

1. Hug your dog from behind and draw its attention to the top of its head by making a noise;

2. Use two fingers to pull back the eyelids, and with the other hand, gently drop the eye drops into the eye from above;

3. Allow your dog to blink, and the excess eye drops will help flush out any dust.

Remove Eye Discharge Like Removing Makeup

1. Hug your dog from behind and lift its chin with one hand;

2. Prepare a warm, damp cotton pad and cover the hardened eye discharge;

3. Gently rub the area with the eye discharge, then wipe it away. Your dog may even enjoy this process.

Key Tip

If the eye discharge cannot be removed, you can soften it first and then carefully trim the hair mixed with the discharge using a pair of safe scissors. This action is quite dangerous, so if you're not confident, it's best to seek professional help.

Wipe Away Tear Stains Daily with a Special Eye Wash

Dip a cotton pad in the eye wash and gently wipe along the direction of the tear stains. This not only removes existing stains but also prevents new ones from forming.

Ectropion and entropion often require surgical correction

The doctor will trim the eyelids to allow the eyelids and eyelashes to protect the eyes appropriately without causing any irritation.

Medication Is Needed When the Cornea Is Inflamed

If your dog frequently scratches its eyes, use an eye wash to remove any foreign objects that may be irritating the cornea. Also, give your dog eye drops or ointments containing antibiotics to reduce inflammation.

Key Tip

Shortnosed breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus have eyes that are more prone to injury from foreign objects due to their protruding eyes. Be cautious and avoid eye injuries during play.

Breeds with loose facial skin, such as the Tibetan Mastiff, Shar Pei, and Basset Hound, are more susceptible to entropion and ectropion. Pay close attention to these breeds as they may require extra care.