What to do if your Dog is Squinting
The first thing to do when you notice your dog squinting is to observe and inspect the eye as best you can. If you notice that there is something within the eye, such as a piece or grass or an eyelash, allow the eye time to wash it out on its own. However, if the problem persists you may want to visit your vet in order to get help removing the foreign object.
If you know that your dog has experienced any recent trauma, and is showing signs such as pawing at the eye, redness, swelling, or discharge you will want to visit a vet immediately in order to determine what the underlying issue may be. Problems with processes such as glaucoma and corneal ulcers will need to be taken care of with medical attention.
Due to the many causes of squinting, it is nearly impossible to prevent. The best steps to take are to ensure that if your dog has received any head trauma, that you get him to the vet as soon as possible for a checkup. This quick response will help to ensure that any problems can be discovered quickly and efficiently; therefore, resulting in quick treatment in order to restore your dog’s overall quality of life if possible. An annual wellness check, a good idea for any pet, can often determine if an eye condition such as glaucoma is developing.
The symptoms of glaucoma can be expensive to treat. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.
Treatment cost will vary depending on the cause of your dog’s squinting. For instance, if your dog is diagnosed with eye inflammation, the cost of treatment can range from $200 to $2500. If your dog is diagnosed with an eye injury, the average treatment is around $600.
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Erosion of a few layers of the epithelium is called a corneal erosion or corneal abrasion. A corneal ulcer is deeper erosion through the entire epithelium and into the stroma. With a corneal ulcer, fluid is absorbed from the tears into the stroma, giving a cloudy appearance to the eye. If the erosion goes through the epithelium and stroma to the level of Descemets membrane, a descemetocele is formed. A descemetocele is a very serious condition. If Descemets membrane ruptures, the liquid inside the eyeball leaks out, the eye collapses and irreparable damage occurs.
Atropine and many other ophthalmic medications have a very bitter taste, which may cause drooling and pawing at the mouth. You are seeing your dogs response to a bad taste, not a drug reaction.
My dog began to drool excessively and paw at its mouth after I administered the eye medications. Is that a side effect?
The most common cause is trauma. An ulcer may result from blunt trauma, such as a dog rubbing its eye on the carpet, or due to a laceration, such as a cat scratch or a contact with a sharp object. Another common cause is chemical burn of the cornea. This may happen when an irritating chemical or substance such as shampoo or drywall dust gets in the eye.
Antibiotic drops are only effective for a short time so they must be applied frequently; ointments last a bit longer but still require application every few hours. For best results, the antibiotic preparation should be every four to six hours, depending on your pets condition and acceptance of the medication. On the other hand, atropine generally lasts many hours so this drug is only needed every twelve to forty-eight hours.
If you see your dog squinting, avoiding bright lights, and excessively blinking, examine her eyes. Tear production is also a frequent sign of problems, as is watery, green, or yellow discharge. At worst, the eye may even be out of its socket.
3. If the dog is squinting and tearing up excessively or has red eyes, it is usually indicative of a scratched eye. Check for foreign objects in the eye area. If nothing is found, follow these guidelines:
There is little that can be done to avoid most causes of eye injuries, although obedience training, which limits the dogs propensity for fighting, helps. Extra care when using chemicals is also essential; if possible, keep your dog in a separate room when using bleach or similar fluids. For more advice on treatment and prevention, see the “Burns and Scalding” article.
Even the smallest eye injury (a tiny scratch, for example) can develop into an infected wound and loss of vision. Never gamble with your dogs eyesight — always seek immediate treatment, even for minor eye injuries.
4. If the dog’s eyelids are bruised or torn (usually from a fight or other trauma):
Dog Won’t Open His Eyes Here’s What This Means and what to do
Even the smallest eye injury (a tiny scratch, for example) can develop into an infected wound and loss of vision. Never gamble with your dogs eyesight — always seek immediate treatment, even for minor eye injuries.
If you see your dog squinting, avoiding bright lights, and excessively blinking, examine her eyes. Tear production is also a frequent sign of problems, as is watery, green, or yellow discharge. At worst, the eye may even be out of its socket.
Much like in humans, eye injuries often occur when a small object enters or becomes embedded in the eye. In addition, scratching or pawing of the cornea, abnormal growth of eyelashes, and inverting of the eyelids can lead to eye injuries.
1. If the eye is out of its socket, it should be treated as an emergency. Every minute is valuable if the dog’s sight is to be saved, so act quickly:
2. If your dog is blinking or squinting excessively and avoiding bright lights, there is likely something in his eye:
3. If the dog is squinting and tearing up excessively or has red eyes, it is usually indicative of a scratched eye. Check for foreign objects in the eye area. If nothing is found, follow these guidelines:
4. If the dog’s eyelids are bruised or torn (usually from a fight or other trauma):
Eye injuries may be caused by fighting, infection, or accidents with chemicals or other harmful substances. Some breeds, such as the pug, are predisposed to eye problems.
Your vet will be able to tell you how to manage a dog with an injured eye. It is likely that damage-prevention measures (such as an Elizabethan collar) or some follow-up treatment will be needed, either at home or at the clinic.
There is little that can be done to avoid most causes of eye injuries, although obedience training, which limits the dogs propensity for fighting, helps. Extra care when using chemicals is also essential; if possible, keep your dog in a separate room when using bleach or similar fluids. For more advice on treatment and prevention, see the “Burns and Scalding” article.