Last week I yapped about common eye issues & how to treat them at home.  Here is the link if you missed it.  As pawmised this week I am yapping about more serious eye issues that need to be treated by your good Vet.  As I yipped eye issues can be serious & it is impawtant to have your good Vet take a look because they can be signs of brain or nerve injury, infection, or other serious problems.

Glaucoma, a condition caused by excessive pressure in your good dog’s eye. A bulging eye or eyes, cloudy eyes, & tearing could be signs of glaucoma which is painful. A good vet may try to manage the ocular pressure with medications, but surgery may be recommended. 

Corneal Ulcers can be superficial or deep sores that can be pawsitively painful. They may be caused by trauma to the cornea, disease, a lack of tears, something foreign in the eye & other injuries. When your good dog is dealing with corneal ulcers their eyes will be red & watery & sensitive to light.  They will likely squint a lot & rub their eyes with a paw, or on furniture/rug/floor.  You may see a film over the eye or discharge. Your good dog should see their good vet immediately. They may be pawscribed antibiotics, corneal repair drops, anti-inflammatories, or need surgery. 

Watery, teary eyes (Epiphora) that cause staining, smelly fur or infected skin — can also be the result of many conditions, such as abnormal eyelashes, inflammation, allergies, corneal ulcers, tumors, eye pain, & more.

Treatment dogpends on the cause which include topical antibiotics or steroids for tear duct inflammation,  antibiotics & topical medication for cornea damage, or surgery for duct obstruction, ulcers, or abnormal eyelashes. 

The last condition I will bark about is Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) or commonly known as dry eye which pawduces a pawsistent sticky eye discharge caused by a inability to make enough tears. Symptoms can also include yucky mucus & inflammation. KCS may be the result of distemper, injury, an injury near the tear-producing gland, or a dog’s immune system attacking the tear gland tissue. Infection is a serious concern for good dogs with dry eye/KCS  & can lead to painful, inflamed eyes. Another serious risk is ulcers on the cornea (surface of the eye), because without the lubricating effect of tears, the eyelid can scratch the surface of the eye just by blinking or opening & closing.

Treatment for KCS dogpends on the severity of the condition & may include artificial tears for several weeks for mild dry eye, antibiotic eye drops to help manage secondary infections, immunosuppressant drugs to help control the immune system, or surgery.

Breeds that are more prone to eye issues are flat-faced dogs like pugs, Pekingese, boxers, & bulldogs because their flatter faces often mean shallower eye sockets & protruding eyes.  These breeds are known as brachycephalic breeds. 

Brachycephalic dogs have more pawtruding eyes & often have tear drainage problems; eyelids that roll inward (entropion), which can cause a lot irritation by their lashes; or lids that don’t close fully over their eyes.  This condition may lead to surgery.

Then there are breeds that have a lot of loose skin, like cocker spaniels, beagles, bloodhounds, Saint Bernards, & some terriers. These breeds are prone to eyelids that roll outward (ectropion) & cherry eye (this condition dogvelopes when a gland in the eyelid falls out of position). Antibiotics & steroids may help but surgery is often necessary for these conditions.

There are some things you can do to help pawvent eye issues.  When you look at your good dog’s eyes the pupils should be the same size & their eyes should be clean & bright, free of gunk with white around the iris.  There should be little to no tearing & squinting.  When you look into their wagnificent eyes you shouldn’t see the inner eyelid.  Check their lower lids by gently pulling downward with your finger.  They should be pink (not red or white).

Now if you see unusual gunk, tearing, discharge, cloudiness, a third eyelid, closed or squinting, pupils that are unequal in size you should  call your good vet; something could be wrong.

Keep long hair out of your good dog’s eyes.  Some breeds  need to see a groomer regularly.  They will nose how to trim the hair around your good dog’s eyes.  If you do this yourself at home remember to use round-tipped scissors.  Always keep shampoos, flea pawventatives or any irritant away from our eyes.  Keep an eye out, BOL; I made a pup pun, for redness, pawing, rubbing & squinting which could be a sign of an eye problem.

Remember, if you have a question we love to pawvide you with answers.  Reach out to us here, through Instagram, Facebook, email or call us.  If you don’t have long distance calling contact us online & let us call you.

Have a pawsome week, CEO Olivia, Dot & Jerry Underfoot 💜

PS 🐾 Looking for wagnifient healthy & furbulously fun toys or pawsibly a supplement for the well being of your pawtacular good dog or cat? Shop NaturallyJoin my pack at knottytoysforgooddogs.com