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Please note, our vets and nurses are unable to respond to questions via this form. If you are concerned about your pet’s health, please contact your vet directly.
If you suspect your dog has corneal damage, take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Your veterinarian will be able to evaluate the injury and help prevent an infection in the eye.
Contact your veterinarian if you start to notice signs of cataracts in your dog’s eyes. Cataract surgery is available for dogs when their vision is severely compromised.
Just like humans, dogs sometimes get something in their eye. Grass and dirt are common culprits. Damage to the cornea usually occurs when your dog scratches his or her eyes with his or her nail. Signs your dog has a damaged cornea includes:
There are many more eye issues in dogs that can be discussed here. Since eye problems have a tendency to worsen quickly, it’s very important to discuss any concerns you might have about your dog’s eyes with your veterinarian as quickly as possible.
If you’re a dog parent, you may already have experienced eye issues in your dog. They’re not uncommon in our canine friends. It’s not just senior dogs who experience eye issues; a number of conditions can occur at all ages and across all breeds.
What are cataracts? Cloudy or opaque patches on the lens of the eye that can cause blurry vision or blindness.
Treatments for glaucoma in dogs: Medications to decrease fluid production in the eye, improve drainage and manage pain; treatment of any underlying problems; possibly eye surgery or ongoing medical management.
Causes of entropion in dogs: Genetics or other issues, such as conjunctivitis (see below), injury or corneal ulcers.
Causes of corneal ulcers in dogs: Infections, chronic dry eyes, anatomical eye issues or injuries — a scratch from your pet’s own paw, a piece of dirt in the eye, fights with another animal, cuts from branches and so on.
What is glaucoma? When fluid within the eye doesn’t drain properly, builds up inside the eyeball and causes painful pressure. It can lead to blindness.
Top 10 Most Common Eye Conditions In Dogs | How To Treat Eye Infections In Dogs | Vet Explains
Eye conditions in dogs can range from mild irritation like allergies and small scratches, to more serious issues like glaucoma and major injuries. Whatever the cause of your dog’s eye symptoms, the most important thing to know is don’t wait! Even mild eye problems can worsen quickly, so it’s best to seek veterinary treatment as soon as possible, rather than waiting to see if the symptoms will get better on their own.
Here are some signs of an eye problem that needs to be addressed:
There are a lot of reasons for eye symptoms — here are 9 of the most common dog eye problems we treat at Bond Vet.
Once your dog is showing symptoms, there are a series of tests to determine the problem and how to best treat it.
Schirmer tear test — This test measures your dog’s tear production. It’s performed by holding small paper strips under the eyelids for one minute.
Fluorescein stain — This test looks for scratches, ulcers, and other abnormalities on the surface of the eye. It can also be used to evaluate tear quality and drainage. To perform this test, your vet team will place a drop of green stain into each eye, and then examine the eyes using a special blue light.
Measuring eye pressure — This test is important because ocular pressure can change with certain eye problems, leading to pain and complications. It’s performed by gently tapping the surface of the eye with a sensitive pressure measuring device. Don’t worry, numbing eye drops are used—so your dog will be comfortable through the process.
Depending on your pup’s symptoms, other tests — such as blood tests, cultures to look for bacterial growth, or more — may be recommended.
Treatment will be based on the physical exam, as well as the results of the diagnostic tests. Here are some common treatments:
Note that many of the medications listed above as eye “drops” for dogs are also available as ointments. Your vet can help you choose which form is better for your pet.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to prevent all eye problems. But there are some things you can do to minimize your dogs risk:
While some of the conditions, like glaucoma or deep ulcers, may require more involved treatment, most of the eye problems we see are much simpler to treat, and they usually heal quickly. So as long as treatment is prompt, there’s a good chance your pup will be back to their usual self in no time!