What You Need to Know About Glaucoma in Dogs

Like humans, who are susceptible to certain ailments and diseases, our pets are too. Our bodies experience a plethora of pain when we’re sick, and our pets’ bodies may feel fatigued and weak when they’re suffering from a condition.

An eye condition that is affecting dogs, as well as humans, is glaucoma. It manifests itself as the presence of high intraocular pressure. The eye’s fluids are distinct in shape.

What is glaucoma in dogs?

Glaucoma is a condition that occurs when the fluid (aqueous fluid) accumulates within the eye and causes pressure. If too much or little fluid is created or eliminated in the eye, the intraocular pressure (IOP) increases and causes damage to the optic nerve and the retina. It can lead to blindness.

Glaucoma can cause retinal and optic nerve damage. It is a common condition in pets that can cause excruciating pain. So, you must bring your pet to a St. Louis vet immediately.

What are the symptoms?

Glaucoma symptoms include:

  • Enlarged pupils
  • Eye pain
  • Green or yellow discharges
  • Clouded corneas
  • Loss of eye color
  • Increased blood vessel numbers
  • Bloody eyes
  • One eye appears larger than the other

Glaucoma is a disorder that results from a dysfunctional drainage system inside the eye. If it is not functioning effectively, the pressure inside the eye increases, and it will be difficult to remove because of the excess liquid. The most frequent causes of glaucoma include eye injury and inflammation.

They categorized glaucoma into two kinds: primary and secondary. The first type is generally due to an inheritance predisposition that causes fluids to build-up due to drainage channels in which the pores are not large enough or large.

How is glaucoma diagnosed?

A vet can only make a definitive diagnosis due to his credentials to recognize the signs. The other option is to talk with a veterinary eye specialist in St. Louis, MO. They will examine your dog and its blood flow. They will also assess the intraocular pressure and how to decrease it. 

They will employ gonioscopy and tonometry to relieve tension and ultrasonography to determine whether the dog is suffering from eye tumors or cancer. Make sure you take your pet to the veterinarian when you notice eye issues.

In this situation, it is critical to be prepared for any emergency. More information can be found on websites such as stlouisanimalemergencyclinic.org, or you can consult a specialist if you have any questions.

How is it treated?

They treat glaucoma in dogs surgically or medically. You may have the extra fluid eliminated surgically or try to treat it using injections, eye drops, or even pills. If you do, learning how to take care of your dog’s glaucoma is easy.

Laser cyclophotocoagulation is an option that is sometimes used and will destroy some of the dog’s eyes. In some instances, it is possible to manage pain through medication, but in some other cases, surgery is necessary.

If discovered early, the veterinarian may be able to treat it with medication. However, because this condition can spread quickly, the pet could require surgery to prevent blindness if they discover it later.

Lastly

Make sure you evaluate your pet regularly to prevent the problem from worsening. If you notice that your dog is often scratching its eyes take a look and get it examined so that a veterinarian expert can offer appropriate diagnostics and treatments. It may prevent your dog from going blind in the future.

admin