Jill, Assistant Manager, Certified Veterinary Assistant Level II
What are some signs that my dog might have an eye infection or eye disease?
There are a lot of signs that your dog may have an eye problem. Redness of the sclera, which is the white part of the eye, conjunctival swelling and redness, which is the pink tissue in the eyelid area, or if the dog is squinting. If they're squinting, pawing at the eye, or have colored discharge, such as green or yellow discharge, these could be signs of an infection.
What causes eye infections and diseases in dogs?
There are many causes of eye problems in dogs. Corneal ulceration, which is an abrasion on the cornea part of the eye, can occur if they run into a stick or rub their eye wrong. Different eye infections can occur, like if they get a foxtail into their conjunctival tissue, which will start to fester and cause infections. Glaucoma is another condition. There are many different types of infections and eye diseases.
What are the most common eye care issues you see at Sierra Animal Hospital?
We take care of corneal ulcers. We will stain the eye, check for the ulcer, which will show up fluorescent green, and then decide which medication is appropriate.
One important thing is that you do not want to put a steroid into an eye with a corneal ulcer because it will delay healing. Glaucoma is another condition we treat, along with entropion, cataracts, and others.
What eye problems in dogs are considered emergencies and need immediate medical attention?
A corneal puncture would be an emergency. It can go straight into the eye and cause loss of aqueous fluid. If it's severe, we may need to remove the eye. Glaucoma is also an absolute emergency. It involves the production of excess aqueous fluid, which can cause a lot of pain, requiring immediate treatment or eye removal. For these types of issues, you want to come in and have your dog seen as soon as possible.
Is there a dog eyesight test that can be done to assess my dog's vision?
Yes, although it's not like a human test. Often, we will toss a cotton ball up in the air in bright light to see if they follow it. Then we'll dim the lights and toss it again to see if they can find it. We might create a little maze in the room, place objects, dim the lights, and see if they can navigate without knocking anything over. Another test involves covering one eye and gently tapping towards the other eye to see if they blink or respond.
How do veterinarians treat a dog's eye injury?
Treatment depends on the injury. For blunt force trauma, there will be a lot of inflammation, making the eye cloudy. If there is no corneal ulcer, we can use topical steroids like drops or ointments. If there are corneal ulcerations, oral steroids may be used to help with inflammation.
For glaucoma, we might use dorzolamide to reduce pressure. If there's inflammation without a corneal ulcer, we could use prednisolone or a BNP with Dex to reduce inflammation.
Will my dog need to see a specialist for an eye injury?
Most general practitioners have knowledge of eye issues, but sometimes cases exceed our scope. In such cases, we refer to an animal ophthalmologist. This could include procedures like cataract surgery, which is long and detailed, making a specialist the best option.
Is there anything I can use to protect my dog's eyes?
Yes. Especially during the spring and summer, when there are lots of foxtails around, a mesh netting that fits over the head can protect them from foxtails. For pet parents who let their dogs hang their heads out the window, goggles are recommended to protect against debris flying up from the road.
Your pet’s health matters to us, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Call (530) 626-4838 or email [email protected] to learn more. If you are ready to join our family, schedule your visit below.