Eye Emergencies in Dogs
Caring for your dog or cat with an eye injury or emergency Sudden changes in your pet’s eyes are a medical emergency. Emergencies include the following: Corneal ulcers Pupils of different sizes Blindness Lacerations Eyeball prolapse Excessive tears Retinal hemorrhage On the way to your veterinary clinic for any pet eye emergency, you should: Keep […]
How to Give Your Dog Eye Medication
Tips on applying eye medication to dogs Using Treats You’re asking your dog to accept medication in his or her eye. This may be difficult for your dog, so prepare a great treat such as Crumps’ Naturals Beef Liver Bites, a lick of peanut butter from a spoon, a shrimp, or cheese. Preparation for treating […]
Symptoms of Eye Problems & Diseases in Cats
Common symptoms of an eye problem in your cat include watery eyes, discharge, excessive blinking, squinting, or pawing at the eye. If your cat has any of these symptoms, a thorough ophthalmologic exam should be done as soon as possible. Eye discharge is a typical symptom of an eye problem in your cat. It can […]
How to Give Your Cat Eye Medication
Tips on applying eye medication to cats Using treats When you need your cat to accept medication in his or her eyes, prepare to offer a treat that is overwhelmingly special. The treat need not be big, but it must smell and taste delicious. Consider using shaved ham, sardines, shrimp, or a potato chip. Preparation […]
Corneal Ulcer Treatment for Dogs
Treatment options for pets with corneal ulcers For treatment of corneal ulcers in pets, veterinarians will prescribe an ophthalmic medication, perhaps one with a topical antibiotic. Among the antibiotic eye medications are Terramycin (Rx) and Gentamicin Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution (Rx). Your veterinarian may also prescribe Atropine Ophthalmic Solution (Rx), which helps in two ways. Atropine […]
Corneal Ulcers in Cats
What is a corneal ulcer or irritation? Corneal ulcer or irritation in pets, also called keratitis, occurs when cells covering the clear outer surface of the eye, the cornea, are irritated or become infected. Wind, dust particles, your pet’s own hair, bacteria and viruses can irritate the cornea. A corneal ulcer, also called ulcerative keratitis, […]
How to Treat Glaucoma in Dogs
If your pet’s glaucoma is secondary, meaning it is caused by something else, treatment will addresses the cause, whether it is fungal infection, injury, cancer, etc. Your veterinarian will be able to help properly diagnose and recommend treatment. If there are no secondary conditions, then the glaucoma itself is best treated with surgery. While glaucoma […]
Dry Eye (KCS) in Dogs
What is dry eye? Dry eye is called KCS, or Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca. It occurs when your pet doesn’t make enough tears to keep the eye lubricated. Tears have three parts: A superficial oily layer A watery or aqueous layer An inner mucin or mucoid layer With dry eye, the liquid portion of the tear isn’t […]
Dry Eye Treatment in Dogs
Treatment options for pets with dry eye (KCS) Keep your pet’s eyes clean by gently wiping away discharge—especially before putting in medicine. Optimmune (Rx) (cyclosporine ointment) is prescribed if your pet has immune-mediated dry eye. Optimmune may be irritating., Pilocarpine (Rx) is prescribed if your pet has neurogenic dry eye. Pilocarpine may be irritating, especially […]
What Causes Glaucoma in Dogs?
Glaucoma in dogs and cats is increased pressure in the eye. The eye is approximately round, like an egg, but rather than having a hard shell like an egg, the eye has a soft flexible outer covering. The flexible eye would collapse except that it is kept expanded by fluid. The fluid is made within […]
Symptoms of Corneal Ulcers in Dogs
Symptoms of corneal ulcer in pets Increased tears Mucous discharge Cloudy cornea Elevated third eyelid Pets with corneal ulcer or corneal irritation have pink, teary eyes. These pets rub their eyes because they hurt. They squint to keep out light because the pupil moves in response to light, and any movement within the eye causes […]
Symptoms of Dry Eye in Dogs
Which symptoms of dry eye (KCS) are most common? When dry eye (KCS) in dogs develops suddenly, you’ll notice your pet has red, swollen, squinting eyes. You may also notice that there is a thick discharge in the corners of the eyes. After your pet has dry eye for a while, you’ll notice that blood […]
Symptoms of Glaucoma in Dogs
The early signs of glaucoma in dogs and cats can include: Dilated pupils Increased tears Squinting Avoiding light Cornea becomes cloudy Congested vessels on the eyeball Blindness Due to some of these symptoms being common for both inflammation and increased pressure, it is very easy to confuse inflammation of the eye (uveitis) with glaucoma. Glaucoma, […]