Whether you’re a new dog owner or have had pooches for years, it is likely that you think a lot about the health of your beloved furry friend. Making sure they get the right amount of exercise and the best quality food is, obviously, right at the top of your list but what about their eye health?
The eye health of dogs tends to naturally decline with age, along with other parts of your pets’ bodies such as their joints. Most dogs do have very good eyesight but some do have genetic conditions such as rottweilers which, one in every two can develop myopia, also known as poorer eyesight. There are lots of different eye problems that your pet can experience so it’s important to keep an eye (hehe!) out for any changes and signs of eye issues.
Something to consider first…
Before we go over some of the common eye problems that your dog may encounter over its lifetime, and the signs of them, it is important to note that once your furry friend reaches 6 years of age, they should have regular eye exams as well as general health exams. Taking your pet to the vets regularly can really help you to keep on top of any potential issues that may arise.
Also, most (if not all) eye problems need to be treated by a vet so if you do notice any signs mentioned below, get your furry friends an appointment as soon as possible. Don’t forget, all Broadreach Nature customers get access to free vet advice from PawSquad 24/7.
Common dog eye problems
So let’s see (oh, another pun, we can’t help ourselves) what the common eye problems are and how you can recognise them…
Entropion
This is where the lower eyelid (and sometimes the upper eyelid) rolls in on itself which can cause irritation for your pet pooch. The obvious signs of this are rubbing and squinting and if left untreated it can result in damage and scarring of the cornea.
Entropion
Ectropion
This is the opposite of Entropion and it is where the eyelid rolls out. This is also commonly known as droopy eyelids and is most common in hound dogs. Dogs with droopy eyelids will often experience watery eyes, tear staining, and have a tendency to eye infections.
Cherry eye
This is where the gland in the lower eyelid is prolapsed or popping out. The whole eye area will look red and inflamed and the gland will be prone to infection. In dogs, the lower eyelid gland is what lubricated the eyes and so when it does become infected, it can also cause dry eyes. As the gland is prone to infection, your pet will typically need veterinary help.
Trichiasis
This is where the eyelashes bend in and touch your dog’s eye which can, as you can imagine, cause a lot of irritation. Very common with flat-nosed and prominent eyed dogs, such as bulldogs, and dogs with long hair around their eyes, such as cocker spaniels, this eye problem can cause your dog to excessively squint and blink, the eyelid may even twitch, and there will be a lot of excess tearing. If left untreated, this can lead to vision loss so one to definitely get treated.
Corneal ulcer
This is where your dog’s cornea has become wounded and the damage could be to the surface of the cornea or all the way through. This could have been caused by a scratch, trauma, foreign body, infection, or even dry eyes, and you’ll find your pet can’t close their eyelids properly. Your pet will also be noticeably uncomfortable and in pain so don’t worry, you can’t miss the signs of this one even though you might not be able to see the damage to the eye yourself.
Corneal Ulcer
Lens luxation
This is where your dog’s lens is dislodged or dislocated from its normal position, it can fall backwards into the eye (which is pretty painless) or fall forward which can block the eye’s natural drainage of fluid and result in increased pressure in the eye and even glaucoma. It can be extremely painful, so another one that will be very noticeable, and can be hereditary in dog breeds such as terriers and border collies. It can also result in blindness.
Lens Luxation
Dry eye
Probably the most common eye problem that your dog could get is dry eye. This is where the usual tear mixture of oil, mucus and mostly water disappears or only an oily mucus is produced. Your dog’s eyes will typically become red and irritated and if only the oily mucus is produced, a yellow discharge and crusting around the eyes can be seen. In time, if left untreated, the cornea can also turn brown and in some cases, mainly with older pets and those with other conditions, your dog can be left blind.
Dry Eye
Signs of vision problems
Apart from those mentioned above most eyesight problems can be detected by changes in behaviour – as with most pet ailments. Before any eye issues become more serious you are likely to notice your dog running into things, being generally more clumsy and finding it more difficult to locate their toys and feeding bowls. Other behavioural changes you might notice are; increased anxiety, clinginess, aggression and being easily startled.
How can you support your dog’s eye health?
The main way you can support your dog’s eye health is through their food as some have naturally supportive properties which can help to protect your pet against eye health problems as well as improve their visual function.
Blueberries are just one eye health-boosting food your pet can eat as part of a balanced diet but you may find that they are not keen on the texture or even taste. This is where our all-natural Vision Berry range can help. Available in powder or capsule form, it can be easily mixed into your pet’s food as part of their daily routine.
Made from plant-based, non-GMO ingredients such as blueberries, goji berries, spirulina, parsley ginger and turmeric, it can help support all eye health including the retina and cornea. It even helps with age-related changes due to its anti-ageing effects and it can also alleviate dry eyes.
Yes, there are. Other vision problems that may or may not be as common include:
Progressive retinal atrophy – This is where your dog loses their eyesight over months or years and it is inherited. It is common in dog breeds such as cocker spaniels, border collies, Irish setters, Schnauzers, and poodles and is typical in older dogs. Younger dogs who experience this tend to experience vision loss under dim light conditions only
Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) – Developed between 7 and 14 years of age, this condition is more common in females and is associated with a hormonal imbalance. It can happen overnight but increased thirst and changes in appetite weeks before can sometimes be a sign
Glaucoma – There are two types of glaucoma, the first is, again, an inherited condition commonly found in dogs such as cocker spaniels, jack russels, and Shih Tzus. It tends to start in one eye, eventually going into both. The secondary type is the result of a prior condition such as the Lens luxation we mentioned above or cancers of the eye, detached retinas, and advanced cataract. Your dog will experience sore and painful eyes, will be squinting, grumpy, irritable, and have a loss of vision
Cataracts – This is where there is a blue haze around the eyes and it forms over many years (in most cases). It is very common in poodles and other dogs with diabetes, who have experienced trauma, or who have nutritional deficiencies. Older dogs can develop it for UV damage from the sunlight in older animals
Nuclear sclerosis (or lenticular) – This looks a lot like cataracts but is more common especially in ageing dogs. Considered a normal change, it happens in both eyes at the same time and around 6 years of age or older. As it is deemed normal, most animals can adapt to the minor changes that occur such as problems judging distance or range. This, unlike most (if not all) of the other eye conditions, is not normally treated as your pet can still see
We hope this information about common dog eye health problems has helped you to better prepare for if your dog develops any signs. Don’t forget to check out our Vision Berry range to help support your pets eye health and if you have any questions about any of our products, you can contact us by calling 01223 855857 or emailing us at sales@broadreachnature.com.
Common eye health problems in dogs and the signs
Whether you’re a new dog owner or have had pooches for years, it is likely that you think a lot about the health of your beloved furry friend. Making sure they get the right amount of exercise and the best quality food is, obviously, right at the top of your list but what about their eye health?
The eye health of dogs tends to naturally decline with age, along with other parts of your pets’ bodies such as their joints. Most dogs do have very good eyesight but some do have genetic conditions such as rottweilers which, one in every two can develop myopia, also known as poorer eyesight. There are lots of different eye problems that your pet can experience so it’s important to keep an eye (hehe!) out for any changes and signs of eye issues.
Something to consider first…
Before we go over some of the common eye problems that your dog may encounter over its lifetime, and the signs of them, it is important to note that once your furry friend reaches 6 years of age, they should have regular eye exams as well as general health exams. Taking your pet to the vets regularly can really help you to keep on top of any potential issues that may arise.
Also, most (if not all) eye problems need to be treated by a vet so if you do notice any signs mentioned below, get your furry friends an appointment as soon as possible. Don’t forget, all Broadreach Nature customers get access to free vet advice from PawSquad 24/7.
Common dog eye problems
So let’s see (oh, another pun, we can’t help ourselves) what the common eye problems are and how you can recognise them…
Entropion
This is where the lower eyelid (and sometimes the upper eyelid) rolls in on itself which can cause irritation for your pet pooch. The obvious signs of this are rubbing and squinting and if left untreated it can result in damage and scarring of the cornea.
Ectropion
This is the opposite of Entropion and it is where the eyelid rolls out. This is also commonly known as droopy eyelids and is most common in hound dogs. Dogs with droopy eyelids will often experience watery eyes, tear staining, and have a tendency to eye infections.
Cherry eye
This is where the gland in the lower eyelid is prolapsed or popping out. The whole eye area will look red and inflamed and the gland will be prone to infection. In dogs, the lower eyelid gland is what lubricated the eyes and so when it does become infected, it can also cause dry eyes. As the gland is prone to infection, your pet will typically need veterinary help.
Trichiasis
This is where the eyelashes bend in and touch your dog’s eye which can, as you can imagine, cause a lot of irritation. Very common with flat-nosed and prominent eyed dogs, such as bulldogs, and dogs with long hair around their eyes, such as cocker spaniels, this eye problem can cause your dog to excessively squint and blink, the eyelid may even twitch, and there will be a lot of excess tearing. If left untreated, this can lead to vision loss so one to definitely get treated.
Corneal ulcer
This is where your dog’s cornea has become wounded and the damage could be to the surface of the cornea or all the way through. This could have been caused by a scratch, trauma, foreign body, infection, or even dry eyes, and you’ll find your pet can’t close their eyelids properly. Your pet will also be noticeably uncomfortable and in pain so don’t worry, you can’t miss the signs of this one even though you might not be able to see the damage to the eye yourself.
Lens luxation
This is where your dog’s lens is dislodged or dislocated from its normal position, it can fall backwards into the eye (which is pretty painless) or fall forward which can block the eye’s natural drainage of fluid and result in increased pressure in the eye and even glaucoma. It can be extremely painful, so another one that will be very noticeable, and can be hereditary in dog breeds such as terriers and border collies. It can also result in blindness.
Dry eye
Probably the most common eye problem that your dog could get is dry eye. This is where the usual tear mixture of oil, mucus and mostly water disappears or only an oily mucus is produced. Your dog’s eyes will typically become red and irritated and if only the oily mucus is produced, a yellow discharge and crusting around the eyes can be seen. In time, if left untreated, the cornea can also turn brown and in some cases, mainly with older pets and those with other conditions, your dog can be left blind.
Signs of vision problems
Apart from those mentioned above most eyesight problems can be detected by changes in behaviour – as with most pet ailments. Before any eye issues become more serious you are likely to notice your dog running into things, being generally more clumsy and finding it more difficult to locate their toys and feeding bowls. Other behavioural changes you might notice are; increased anxiety, clinginess, aggression and being easily startled.
How can you support your dog’s eye health?
The main way you can support your dog’s eye health is through their food as some have naturally supportive properties which can help to protect your pet against eye health problems as well as improve their visual function.
Blueberries are just one eye health-boosting food your pet can eat as part of a balanced diet but you may find that they are not keen on the texture or even taste. This is where our all-natural Vision Berry range can help. Available in powder or capsule form, it can be easily mixed into your pet’s food as part of their daily routine.
Made from plant-based, non-GMO ingredients such as blueberries, goji berries, spirulina, parsley ginger and turmeric, it can help support all eye health including the retina and cornea. It even helps with age-related changes due to its anti-ageing effects and it can also alleviate dry eyes.
Find out more about our Vision Berry range.
Are there other eye health conditions?
Yes, there are. Other vision problems that may or may not be as common include:
We hope this information about common dog eye health problems has helped you to better prepare for if your dog develops any signs. Don’t forget to check out our Vision Berry range to help support your pets eye health and if you have any questions about any of our products, you can contact us by calling 01223 855857 or emailing us at sales@broadreachnature.com.
First photo by Petra Bouchalová on Unsplash