Are your pet's eyes healthy? As a pet parent, it's your responsibility for regular visual inspection to avoid any eye problems in your pet. When taking your pet to the veterinarian it is important to have their eyes checked for ailments that may bother them. Your dog or cat should be checked for the following conditions among others: cataracts, red eye, glaucoma and tumors of the eye. Proper care of the eye area can avoid common ailments such as red eyes, cherry eyes, dry eyes and ocular (eye) discharge.
Red Eye |
|
|
One of the most common eye ailments in dogs is called "red eye". This is when a dog's eye and the blood vessels inside become enlarged or inflamed. Allergens from pollen, grass, trees and so on can cause their eyes to become irritated. Infections from viruses, bacteria or fungi can also irritate and cause red eye. One or both dog eyes can get red eye. Symptoms of red eye can include redness of the eye, decrease in vision, cloudiness of the eye, squinting, increased blinking or pawing the eye. Keeping your dog's eyes clean is a simple way to avoid red
eye. |
|
|
|
The most common signs of red eye in cats are redness and irritation affecting one or both eyes. This inflammation may be due to various factors like inflammation of the structures inside the eye, sclera, cornea conjunctiva etc. The eyes can also become irritated from allergies or from infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Therefore, it is recommended to keep your pets eyes clean, eliminating the cause of the conjunctivitis with appropriate medication. |
|
|
Cherry Eye |
|
|
Cherry eyes is when the third eyelid of a dog is prolapsed. Humans have two eyelids in each eye. However, dogs have a third eyelid located in the corner of their eye. It's not a visible gland and helps in producing tears. When this gland swells and comes out of its hidden position or is prolapsed this is a condition of cherry eye. The exact cause of cherry eye is unknown, but when it appears the gland can become infected and become bigger. Surgically repositioning the gland back inside is the best treatment for cherry eye. To stop irritants from infecting the gland, it's important to keep your dog's eyes clean. |
|
|
|
Cherry eye occurs when a gland associated with the cat's optical third eyelid prolapsed and becomes enlarged and inflamed. Cherry eye is an uncommon occurrence with cats. Though it's rare, we should not overlook it and therefore frequently cleaning and wiping of eyes is recommended. |
|
|
Dry Eyes |
|
|
Signs of a thick and stringy like mucus from your dog's eye is "dry eyes". Often this can be mistaken for chronic conjunctivitis. However, this type of disorder is a result from inadequate tear production. Dry eyes can be caused by injury to the nerves or tear glands. Removal of the third eyelid can also be a cause. An eye lubricant or ointment can be used to treat dry eyes. |
|
|
|
Dry Eyes in cat is also known as Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca or KCS. There can be various factors for dry eyes it can occur when your cat cannot produce enough tears or it may be reaction of some medication. Again, a dry eye in cat is uncommon but when happens it needs to be treated immediately as it may cause severe pain and can also lead to blindness. |
|
|
Ocular (Eye) Discharge |
|
|
A common problem among dogs is eye discharge. It can be a condition caused by anything like an infection, glaucoma, or allergies. If the discharge is clear this could be a sign of allergies or debris. A watery discharge or mucus is often caused by an eyelash. However, if the mucus has a pus-like yellow or green color then this could be a sign of an infection. To prevent ocular discharge in dogs trim the hair around their eyes with a round-tipped scissors. Also, try keeping shampoos and flea medicine away from their eyes. These products can irritate them. Finally, always keep your dog's eyes clean to avoid further problems. |
|
|
|
Ocular or Eye Discharge is common eye condition in cats. Sneezing and clear watery eye discharge can be a sign of allergies and upper respiratory infection. |
|
|
