A wide variety of eye problems are common in pets, and many can lead to redness, excessive tearing, and discomfort. Your pet’s cornea or other ocular structures could be damaged if the underlying source isn’t detected and treated quickly. Squinting, tearing, irritation or pain in the eyes are indicators of one of the following prevalent eye disorders in pets.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, also referred to as “pink eye,” is a type of infection that causes swelling, redness, and a sticky discharge from the eye. The mucus membranes inside your pet’s eyes are called the conjunctiva, and they are hidden on both sides of the eye. When these membranes are exposed to natural pressures, they are easily infected. Pink eye is a reaction caused by numerous factors, like:
- A bacterial or viral infection
- Allergy
- Dirt that gets into the eye
When there is a foreign object or an allergy, a simple sterile eye wash is usually required to get rid of the conditions. On the other hand, bacterial and viral infections need antibiotics that a cat or dog eye veterinary expert can only give. Vaccinating your pet against infectious ailments like feline herpesvirus or canine adenovirus can also provide protection to them from conjunctivitis.
Corneal Wounds
The cornea is a transparent, skin-like tissue that covers the eye’s surface and can be easily harmed. Injury, poor tear production, or abnormal ocular anatomy can lead to corneal ulcers and other wounds, and the affected eye may be red, swollen, and overly draining. Your pet will rub or squint the infected eye in pain. Treatment methods for this condition include:
- Using antibiotic eye drops or ointments to stop or cure infections
- Managing pain with medications like atropine
- Giving the cornea time to heal
In extreme cases, the cornea may need surgical intervention or other advanced treatments to protect or address it and speed up the healing recovery. To help avoid corneal ulcers, vet clinics like Harbor Animal Hospital advise pet owners to vaccinate their pets against canine or feline distemper.
Glaucoma
When fluid production in the eye is unbalanced, pressure builds up, causing glaucoma, a condition typically seen in pet dogs. These are some of the symptoms:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Excessive tears
- Dilated pupils
- Bulging eyes
- A cloudy look in the eyes
Glaucoma can permanently damage the optic nerve if left without treatment. While medicines can help, a surgical procedure conducted by a veterinary ophthalmologist is usually the most effective solution for minimizing the disease’s potential damage.
Cherry Eye
The cherry eye is one of the most common eye conditions in animals. While human beings have two eyelids, dogs and cats have three. The inner corner of the eye is the location of the third, usually concealed eyelid. In some pets, the eyelid ligaments that hold the gland that produces tears in place become weak.
When these ligaments become loose, the gland pops out of its position, resembling a red cherry stuck in the corner of the eye. To permanently treat this problem, you must take your pet to the vet clinic to learn more about how surgical procedures can help to make a deeper pocket where the gland can sit.
Conclusion
While you can’t always avoid an eye issue, there are measures you can take to keep your pet’s eyes in a healthy condition and free of injury. Bring them to your veterinarian on a regular basis for wellness care, get them vaccinated, and keep their toenails short so they do not injure themselves by scratching.
You can also keep the hair around their eyes short and carefully clean their eyes when they’re taking a bath. Whatever eye problem your pet may be experiencing, seek advice from your vet if you have any queries or concerns about your pet’s eye health.
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