When you have a dog, the thought that it might get sick is saddening. But our furry best friends bring with them certain major or minor health complications. From muscle problems to colds, through eye injuries, there are several conditions that your dog can suffer throughout his life.
Regarding eye injuries, the range of possibilities is very wide and also the degrees of severity of one or the other. Your dog may suffer from an eye problem due to an infection, a parasite, a virus, an allergic reaction or the intrusion of an external agent such as an insect, dust or a branch while running around the park.
While some of the most common eye injuries in dogs can be fixed with regular cleanings and eye drops or ointment, others require surgery. Some cases can even lead to total or partial loss of vision. Whatever the circumstance, early detection is essential to treat it as soon as possible and avoid further complications.
Although the symptoms vary from one condition to another, if you suspect that your dog has an eye problem, do not hesitate to go to the vet as soon as possible. Never try to heal him or remove a foreign object from his eye yourself, as you could make the situation worse. Let's see the most common eye injuries, because recognizing them is key to being alert.
Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and worsen over time if not promptly treated. The dog is losing vision and often requires surgery. It is common in older dogs.
Conjunctivitis is an infection caused by a virus or bacteria, or by getting dust in your eye or even by allergens. The conjunctiva (layer that covers the eye) becomes inflamed and, as a consequence, the eyes become swollen, red, watery and painful for dogs.
Treatment usually consists of applying antibiotic creams or drops or antihistamine medications depending on the type of conjunctivitis.
They refer to abnormalities in the shape and position of the dog's eyelid. It occurs for various reasons, from poor development to trauma or foreign bodies. Some serious cases require surgery.
It occurs when the pressure inside the eye increases and, as a consequence, the dog suffers loss of vision. Usually requires surgical intervention to resolve.
They are injuries to the eye caused by injuries or accidents, such as a scratch with one's own claws or a tree branch, or by the intrusion of a foreign body. They are solved with the application of eye drops, as well as with topical or systemic treatments.
