Dog eyes must be healthy. Eye diseases in dogs

The eyes are important sensitive organs that can also be susceptible to diseases. Eye diseases in dogs are often diagnosed, so the owners of these pets would not be superfluous to find out what symptoms are manifested by several common pathologies in order to identify them in their wards in a timely manner and take the animals to the veterinarian.

Blepharospasm

Blepharospasm is a rapid and non-stop contraction of the muscles of the canine eyelid, as a result of which the animal constantly blinks. In addition, it still cannot look at the light, since one of the symptoms of blepharospasm is photophobia. In this case, exudate is released from the dog's eyes.

How dangerous is blepharospasm? By itself, it is not a disease, but rather a symptom indicating that pathological processes are taking place in the animal's body. For example, blepharospasm may indicate:

• injuries and inflammation of the eyes;
• inflammation of the trigeminal nerve.

At the same time, the eye itself and the tissues located around it swell and become painful: when touched, the dog begins to jerk its head.

There is no special therapy for blepharospasm, this symptom disappears only when the root cause is eliminated, that is, the disease that caused it.

The only therapy for blepharospasm is the use of pain medications to eliminate the soreness of the organ.

Attention! The ophthalmic drugs that are used in this case are toxic, so you can’t use them on your own: taken in the wrong dosage, they can harm the dog. Only a veterinarian should choose a medicine and calculate its dose.

Keratitis

Keratitis develops in dogs in this way: first, the eye of the animal loses its brightness and luster, and then becomes cloudy. The color of the cornea changes: it becomes ashen or bluish, which is a characteristic sign of this disease. The shell of the eyeball near the inflamed cornea and conjunctiva turn red. Soon, tears and exudate begin to flow from the affected organ.

The animal constantly squints, rubs its eyes with its paw, tries not to look at the bright light, is nervous and worried.

Keratitis is dangerous, because. inflammation of the cornea can lead to its ulceration and the subsequent development of serious complications:

• walleye;
• cataracts;
• glaucoma;
• corneal perforations.

These pathologies are the cause of a significant deterioration or, most often, complete loss of vision in a dog. Keratitis, depending on the causes, can be: serous and purulent, parenchymal, punctate, phlyctenular and ulcerative. The disease responds well to treatment in the early stages of development, but if left untreated, it often becomes chronic with alternating acute relapses and periods of remission.

Prolapse is a pathological change in the anatomical position of the lacrimal gland of the third eyelid of dogs, when it falls out of its place - the conjunctival sac, and becomes clearly visible in the inner corner of the eye. It looks like a small formation of a rounded shape, pink or red. After prolapse, it becomes inflamed, swells and may later become necrotic. Prolapse of the gland can often spontaneously disappear and after a while dreams appear.

This pathology is one- and two-sided and occurs in representatives of many breeds, but more often in dogs with a convex forehead, large eyes and a short muzzle: their prolapse of the gland occurs due to the fact that the third eyelid does not fit snugly against the cornea. Contribute to the occurrence of prolapse inflammatory processes occurring in the eyes and eyelids, injuries of the visual organ, jumping and sudden movements of the head. There is also evidence that prolapse of the gland is due to a genetic predisposition: it is often found in those dogs whose ancestors also suffered from this disease.

Prolapse of the third eyelid leads to disruption of the functionality of the lacrimal gland, which, in turn, increases the risk of developing keratitis or conjunctivitis.

Conjunctivitis

This is an inflammation of the conjunctiva - a thin transparent film that envelops the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. Conjunctivitis is infectious and non-infectious nature. In the first case, viruses, bacteria or fungi become the cause of inflammation, in the second - foreign bodies, chemicals, injuries or hypothermia of the eyes, inversion of the eyelid, and allergic reactions.

For conjunctivitis in dogs:

• reddened and swollen eyes;
• tears or purulent discharge flow from them;
• the affected eye may begin to squint.

Trying to get rid of discomfort, the animal blinks, rubs its eyes with its paw, whines. There are several types of conjunctivitis in dogs, but 3 of them are most often diagnosed: catarrhal, follicular, purulent.

Cataract

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, either partial or complete. The loss of transparency of the "lens", which can no longer transmit light, and becomes the cause of deterioration or loss of vision in this pathology.

The main causes of cataracts in dogs are genetic predisposition and advanced age (over 8 years old): the older the animal, the more likely it is to develop this disease. In addition, pathology can be caused by:

• eye diseases (uveitis, glaucoma);
• medicines;
• metabolic diseases, such as diabetes;
• eye and head injuries.

Signs of cataracts in dogs are clouding of the eyes and a change in their color to gray-blue, as well as a change in the behavior of the animal: it becomes cautious and relies more on smell and hearing than on sight.

Blepharitis

Ectropion and Entropion

So, according to scientific terminology, eversion and inversion of the eyelids are called. Both diseases are considered "canine" because other pets are much less common. Due to the structure of the eyelids, Great Danes, Bassets, St. Bernards, Dachshunds, Newfoundlands and Spaniels are especially predisposed to ectropion and entropion.

Both pathologies often accompany each other and develop in parallel, but differ in their consequences: eversion of the eyelids less often leads to serious problems than eversion. With ectropion, there is drying and inflammation of the conjunctiva, lacrimation, suppuration, soreness when touching the eyes. With entropion, the symptoms are the same, but they develop faster. If the volvulus is not treated in a timely manner, then it can be complicated by the growth of eyelashes into the eyeball.

Dermatitis of the century

Dermatitis or inflammation of the skin of the eyelids is not a separate eye disease, but often contributes to the development of such. The affected areas turn red, peel off, the hair on them sticks together from pus. Inflammation gradually passes to the eyes. They turn sour and swell, conjunctivitis or keratitis develops. Eyelid dermatitis most often affects dogs with long hair and skin folds hanging over the eyes.

Corneal ulcer

This is one of the most common eye diseases in dogs. It has another name - ulcerative keratitis. It begins with inflammation of the upper layer of the epithelium, then the process passes to its other layers. The affected tissue becomes thin, covered with small sores, which then merge into one large one.

Because of this, the contour of the pupil blurs, the cornea becomes cloudy and turns gray, the protein shell turns red. Tears and pus flow from the dog's eye. She squints, closes her eyes, rubs them with her paws.

The causes of corneal ulcers are: damage, infections, chemical burns. It can appear as a complication of acute conjunctivitis, tumors and volvulus of the eyelids and flow into a chronic form.

Dislocation of the lens

Dislocation of the lens is its partial or complete displacement from the hyaloid canal, where it is normal. After a rupture of the ligaments, the pupil is deformed and shifted to the side, and the eyeball may also be deformed.

Dislocation occurs due to genetic predisposition, as well as a complication of infections and injuries, glaucoma and cataracts. Often leads to complete loss of vision, so it is considered a very serious disease.

Dislocation of the eyeball

This is the name of the partial or complete exit from the orbit of the eyeball and its movement behind the eyelid. Causes - mechanical damage to the bones of the head, muscle tension due to the small depth of the bone orbit, strong intraocular pressure.

Due to the fact that the eyeball strongly protrudes beyond the orbit, and the conjunctiva dry up, the dislocation can result in infection and necrosis of the tissues of the eye, causing the dog to become blind.

Treatment of eye diseases in dogs

Treatment of eye diseases in dogs depends on the disease itself, its duration and severity, and the general condition of the “patient”. To fight the infection, antibiotics and antiviral drugs are used, which are injected into the eye in the form of drops or intramuscularly. Ointment is applied to the eyelids.

Only a veterinarian chooses drugs, he also draws up a treatment regimen and dosage. You can’t do this on your own, because the eyes are a very sensitive organ, so they can be easily damaged.

After treating the eyes, a special collar or socks are put on the dog so that it does not have the opportunity to comb the eyes with its paws. Treatment continues until the complete disappearance of the disease.

To avoid possible omissions, one must strictly adhere to the eye examination plan, which should begin with a study of visual ability, examination of the organ of vision at a distance (comparison of pupil width, examination of the palpebral fissure, etc.) and then a detailed examination of the eye area (eyelid area, area eyeball, etc.).

Eyelid area

The most common eye diseases in dogs can be recognized by similar symptoms and photographs:

Eyeball

Bulging of the eyeball (exophthalmos)

species-specific exophthalmos of brachycephalic dogs with normal eyeball size, flat orbit, and too large palpebral fissure.

Acquired exophthalmos - the eyeball of normal size moves forward due to space-requiring processes in the orbit or its immediate environment, or due to an increase in the size of the eyeball in glaucoma.

Symptoms:

• Abnormally wide palpebral fissure with protrusion of the eyeball,
• third eyelid prolapse is also possible
• strabismus.

Treatment is surgical only.

Retraction of the eyeball (endophthalmos)

The reasons. Too small eyeball: microphthalmos (congenital too small eye), atrophy of the eye (simple wrinkling of the eye), as well as a relatively too large orbit, neurogenic retraction of the eyeball.

Symptoms:

• Narrow reduced palpebral fissure,
• uncontrolled contraction of the eyelids,
• fall of the third century.

If possible, symptomatic treatment of complications.

Strabismus

Conjunctiva

allergic conjunctivitis

This form develops when:

• getting into the eye of a certain allergen (contact allergy). It can be, for example, dust, pollen, small debris.
• malnutrition or if the dog’s diet includes foods that can provoke an allergic reaction (for example, chicken, sweets, etc.)

Main symptoms:

• Redness of the mucous membrane,
• mucous discharge from the eyes,
• sometimes itching.

What to do?

• For contact allergies, the dog's eyes are washed with saline or a decoction of chamomile flowers.
• In case of food allergies, the allergen product is necessarily excluded, the dog is transferred to a hypoallergenic diet (buckwheat, rice, beef).
• In both cases, the dog can be given 1-2 times an antihistamine (for example, Cetirizine), and Diamond Eye drops can be instilled into the eyes.

Purulent conjunctivitis

The purulent form develops when various pathogenic microorganisms enter the conjunctiva. It is also noted in some viral diseases (for example, canine distemper).

Symptoms:

• redness,
• edema,
• purulent discharge from the eyes.

With a purulent form, eye drops and ointments containing an antibiotic are used. As a rule, Tetracycline ointment or Ciprovet drops work great. Before each use of the drug, the dog's eyes must be cleaned.

Follicular conjunctivitis

Often manifested in the chronic form of conjunctivitis. It can develop when toxic substances enter the eye.

Symptoms:

• on the mucous membrane there are many small vesicles with transparent contents,
• mucous discharge from the eyes,
• crimson conjunctiva,
• the dog squints the damaged eye.

Antibiotic ointments are used. In severe cases, veterinarians perform excision of the conjunctiva, followed by symptomatic treatment.

lacrimal apparatus

Keratoconjunctivitis dry- this disease is characterized by too little tear film in the eye due to lack or lack of production of tear fluid. The disease occurs in West Haland White Terriers, as it can be inherited by offspring. Also, the causes of the disease include:

• disorder of sex hormones;
• carnivore plague,
• the use of certain drugs (for example, atropine),
• congenital hypoplasia of the lacrimal glands,
• neuropathy of the facial nerve,
• trauma to the frontal part of the skull.

Main symptoms:

• frequent blinking,
• dry crusts on the edges of the eyelids,
• mucopurulent discharge from the eyes,
• viscous mucus in conjunctival sacs,
• follicular conjunctivitis.

Gradually begins to develop ulceration, swelling, uneven surface of the cornea. Dry crusts in the nostrils on the side of the lesion indicate damage to the facial nerve.

Treatment is aimed at eliminating the underlying cause of the disease.

• The area of ​​the conjunctiva and cornea is washed abundantly (at first every two hours and before each application of drugs) with saline.
• The inner corners of the eyes are washed with a solution of chamomile or chlorhexidine, because. the lacrimal sac is a reservoir for bacteria.
• Antibiotic eye ointment (eg, tetracycline) is used.

cornea

Ulcerative keratitis- the cause of the disease can be:

• mechanical effects (distichiasis, trichiasis, foreign bodies),
• viral and bacterial infections,
• keratoconjunctivitis,
• uncontrolled treatment with glucocorticoids,
• burns, etc.

Main symptoms:

• photophobia,
• lacrimation,
• dog closes eyes
• mucopurulent discharge from the eyes,
• clouding in the area of ​​the defect and the surrounding area of ​​the cornea.

As a treatment, an ointment containing an antibiotic is used and the possible cause that caused the disease is eliminated.

Ocular fundus

retinal atrophy

It is considered a hereditary disease. Main symptoms:

• at first, a progressive decrease in visual acuity at dusk and night blindness,
• later deterioration of daytime vision,
• gradually - blindness,
• pupil blanching.

Retinal detachment

The causes of retinal detachment can be trauma, high blood pressure, collie eye anomalies, progressive retinal atrophy, neoplasms. Symptoms:

• rapid or sudden blindness,
• impaired pupillary reflex,
• hemorrhages.

choroid

• the color of the iris may change,
• delayed pupillary response to light
• decreased vision,
• pain in the eye.

lens

Cataract, "Grey Star"- the disease is accompanied by any partial or complete opacity of the lens and its capsule. There is no conservative treatment.

• Primary cataract - isolated darkening of the lens without other damage to the eye area or systemic diseases. It is found in hereditary form in Boston Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers. Primary juvenile cataract is the most common form of cataract in almost all breeds of dogs and mixed breeds. Appears mainly before the 6th year of life.

• Secondary or sequential cataract is any non-hereditary cataract.
  • The congenital form manifests itself in conjunction with other congenital eye changes.
  • Acquired - for retinal diseases, collie eye anomalies, injuries, diabetes mellitus.

Glaucoma, "Green Star"

Under this name, various eye diseases are combined, characterized by increased intraocular pressure. The leading symptoms of this eye disease in dogs (glaucoma triad) are:

• Red eye
• wide pupil
• increased intraocular pressure.

In dogs, predominantly one-sided photophobia, blindness, apathy, and loss of appetite are noted. Later, the eyeball enlarges. Pupil reaction to light is slow.

After accurate confirmation of the diagnosis by an ophthalmologist, treatment should be as quick and intensive as possible.

In custody

The treatment of most eye diseases in dogs is based on hygienic cleaning or washing of the organ of vision and the use of medicines in the form of ointments or drops.

For eye treatment, as a rule, physiological saline, chamomile decoction, furacilin solution are used. In inflammatory processes and purulent outflows from the eyes, eye drops or ointments containing an antibiotic are prescribed. In veterinary medicine, tetracycline eye ointment, Ciprovet, Tobrex drops are more often used. However, it must be remembered that eye diseases can occur as a result of systemic diseases, so the initial cause will need to be treated initially.

A clear sign of old age is cloudy eyes in a dog. They seem to be covered with a white veil. Someone is more transparent, and someone is completely white, like milk. It would seem that the dog does not look like us at all. And ears up and tail wags. But this is all only in appearance. They get sick just like people do. And old age comes to them the same, sudden and irrevocable.

However, cloudy eyes are not always signs of aging. Quite often you can meet a one-year-old dog with clouded eyes. There are a lot of reasons for this, but the main ones are ophthalmic diseases. If the dog is not shown to the veterinarian in time, then it can lose not only sight, but also the eye itself. Only a qualified doctor will be able to formulate the cause of clouding and an accurate diagnosis after a detailed examination.

Variants of Cloudy Eyes in Dogs

This condition of the animal's eyes is manifested by several possible options:

• cataract;
• clouding of the cornea.

When examining an animal, the veterinarian carefully studies all possible options for this condition. Each dog has its own individual situation, but there are several diseases that often cause haze.

Cataract and nuclear sclerosis

With age, the center of the lens of any animal can become sclerotized and become stiffer. For each animal, this process is individual and differs in severity. The most common symptom of this disease is the presence of a gray-blue spot on the lens.

Often this situation occurs with animals over the age of six years. Basically, the disease manifests itself in both eyes at the same time. The only good point with such a disease is that the animal does not feel pain in the eyes. And since the disease develops rather slowly, the dog has time to get used to it and learn to live with it.

But it all happens that way, only with nuclear sclerosis. With cataracts, everything is much worse and faster. Cataract does not depend on age at all and manifests itself even in puppies. It is also inherited. To date, veterinarians have recorded more than 80 breeds of dogs that are prone to inheriting cataracts. The main ones are schnauzers, golden retrievers and cocker spaniels. Doctors cannot determine the exact cause of hereditary cataracts, but they suggest that it lies in dystrophic and pathological disorders of the lens nutrition process.

Unfortunately, if the clouding of the dog's eye has already begun, the situation is considered irreparable. But if the owner noticed changes, at the earliest stages, as soon as the shine began to disappear, then vision can be saved. Veterinarians prescribe the strongest doses of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant drugs. In this case, the disease has practically no chance of progressing.

If the owner could not prevent the active development of cataracts for some reason, then a lens implant transplantation can restore the dog's vision. But such an operation is very rare, due to its cost, as well as the availability of a qualified doctor. Not every clinic has a medical staff of this level.

Keratitis

Keratitis is a very rapid deterioration of the dog's vision or its complete loss, due to inflammation of the cornea of ​​​​the eye. The disease spreads to the cornea, in just a few days. The cause of keratitis can be intoxication of the dog's body, infectious hepatitis, and conjunctivitis.

If conjunctivitis is the cause of the development of keratitis, then in order to prevent irreparable consequences, the owner has only a few days. The disease is absolutely impossible to cure on its own. Careful observation and treatment in a veterinary clinic is necessary.

Conjunctivitis

If we consider the severity of the disease theoretically, then too in an acute form and with serious consequences, conjunctivitis is rare. During the course of the disease, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyeball occurs and the accumulation of a large amount of exudate. Because of this, the dog's eye becomes cloudy. In addition, the eyes of the animal turn very red, due to severe inflammation of the vessels on their surface.

During the course of the disease, the animal experiences severe itching and tearing. The eyelids may swell, and the animal may try to touch them with its paws and stop this discomfort. And this will only worsen the situation.

There are many reasons that can lead to the development of conjunctivitis. The main one is the ingress of foreign bodies, such as dust or pollen from various plants. It can also be caused by infections. In most cases, the disease is provoked by an allergic reaction to something. Among dogs living in urban areas, the disease is more common. This is largely due to their lifestyle, and complicates the situation around infection from other dogs during contact with them.

If the dog has cloudy eyes and the reason for this is conjunctivitis, then the treatment does not cause any particular difficulties. They are washed with antiseptic solutions, antibiotic ointments are applied and antihistamines are prescribed as needed.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a very serious eye disease in animals. Accompanied by a light bluish veil and severe pain. Intraocular pressure rises, which can cause bulging eyes. It is fraught with complete loss of vision and deformation of the eye.

The disease can be hereditary and usually first develops in only one eye, causing complete atrophy of the optic nerve. Later, when its activity increases, it spreads to both eyes. It can also be a secondary disease, in combination with any other eye disease. If glaucoma is combined with uveitis or cataracts, then the dog is more likely to have eye cancer.

There is currently no cure for glaucoma as such. The only thing that veterinarians can help the animal with is a decrease in intraocular pressure and some reduction in pain. Unfortunately, the treatment and removal of glaucoma in humans has achieved greater results than in animals. The only way out in such a situation is to remove the diseased eye. This is the only way to save the pet at least one eye and life. Otherwise, the animal may lose both eyes.

Corneal dystrophy

If the dog's eye is cloudy, this may be due to corneal dystrophy. This is a hereditary disease and the only positive thing is the absence of pain in the animal.

Corneal dystrophy is classified according to the location of the inflammatory process:

• endothelial (cell swells are formed on the surface of the cornea);
• epithelial (disrupts the formation of the epithelium);
• stromal (a blue tint forms on the surface of the eye).

To date, there is no effective treatment in the world to save the eye and vision. The only method is surgical correction. As a result of surgical intervention, scars form on the surface of the cornea, and they, in turn, also negatively affect the quality of vision.

The ideal option would be a corneal transplant, but even in this case, the results of the operation do not give the desired and are not encouraging in principle. In addition, the cost of the operation is too high. Not many dog ​​owners can afford such treatment. Often the dog simply goes blind from hopelessness.

Treatment of dystrophy in the early stages, with the help of a complex of multivitamin preparations, can give good results. But the bluish veil will still remain a little. Also from such dogs should not have offspring. There is a high probability of heredity of the disease.

Uveitis

This disease causes great pain to the animal and has serious consequences. Pathology is dangerous with complete loss of vision. Uveitis is almost never the underlying cause. It is rather a consequence of infectious diseases in the body. Due to the fact that the pathology is very painful, the dog will constantly try to scratch or touch his eyes with his paws. Thus, he will scratch them with his claws and bring an even greater infection.

At best, they will watery, blush and become cloudy. There is a possibility of pus. Due to discomfort, the animal will constantly be depressed and try to be in dark places more. As a result, photophobia may develop. In bright daylight, the dog will squint, and his eyes will tear.

The treatment will depend on the establishment of the root cause of the diseased condition of the animal. Immediately you need to take antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also necessary to treat the eyes with drops and ointments. In rare, advanced cases, removal of the eye is necessary to prevent glaucoma.

Belmo

What to do if a cloudy spot on the eye of a dog? A white spot on the eye may be the result of an injury such as a burn, ulcer, or physical injury. Belmo in medicine is also referred to as eye clouding diseases. If you seek help from a veterinarian in time, there is a chance of a complete recovery of the animal and the preservation of its vision.

Belmo can also be the result of neglect of allergic or infectious diseases. It can develop to the size of the entire eyeball and lead to complete loss of vision. It is very important to immediately pay attention to the illness of your pet and contact a specialist in time. In this case, the probability of saving both the eye and the dog's vision is high.

The eyes of animals and humans are a real indicator of their health. If they are cloudy and stop shining, then something is clearly wrong with your pet. Moreover, if you notice a cloudy eye in a dog, take your pet to the veterinarian immediately, as this phenomenon can be caused by many dangerous pathologies. Many of them are potentially fraught with loss not only of vision, but even of the eye itself.

Consider several diseases that are most common in veterinary practice and cause clouding of the eyes of animals.

It should be noted that nuclear sclerosis itself is not a "classical" pathology, since in any dog, with age, the center of the lens begins to sclerotize(i.e. get tougher). From animal to animal, only the severity of this process, the degree of its severity, varies. The most characteristic sign of this phenomenon is the appearance of a gray-blue spot in the center of the lens of the eye.

As a rule, degenerative changes are fixed in pets over the age of six years. More often, the process covers both eyes. The only good news is that the animal does not feel any pain. In addition, the increase in changes occurs very gradually - the animal has time to adapt to the changed vision, it worries less, does not experience such strong stress that it would experience if suddenly blind.

But all this is true for nuclear sclerosis. - much worse, it develops much faster, and it depends less on age. It happens that this pathology is found in very young animals, almost puppies. Today it is known for sure that the disease is hereditarily transmitted, and not only less than 80 breeds.

It is believed that miniature ones are the most predisposed, as well. In animals of these breeds, the incidence of cataracts is maximum. The cause of the pathology is not fully understood. Scientists suggest that the matter is in some dystrophic, pathological processes, due to which the process of nutrition of the lens is disrupted.

Read also: Why the dog is trembling - symptoms and causes of this condition

Unfortunately, both described diseases are considered incurable. If the beginning of the process was noticed in a timely manner by the owners of the animal, the situation can be partly saved if the pet is immediately given loading doses of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant drugs. It is believed that such drugs in some cases can stabilize the condition of the dog and stop the further development of the pathological process.

Save the sight of an animal artificial lens implantation, but in our conditions, such operations are performed extremely rarely due to their high cost, and not every clinic has experience in performing such surgical interventions.

Conjunctivitis

Theoretically, these severe diseases are rare. This is the name of the inflammation of the conjunctival cavity. Roughly speaking, with this pathology, the mucous membranes of the eyeball become inflamed. In a severe course of the process, it accumulates directly on the surface of the eye a large amount of exudate, which leads to turbidity. In addition, the eyes of a sick animal turn very red, blood vessels appear on them, the dog resembles an albino rabbit.

The predisposing factors of the disease are very diverse. Very often it leads to foreign bodies, dust, plant pollen getting into the eyes etc. Conjunctivitis is also a classic manifestation of many infectious pathologies. In many cases, inflammation of the conjunctiva is due to allergic reactions. This is especially true for dogs living in urban areas.

Treatment in many cases is quite simple. Eyes are washed with antiseptic solutions, lay ointments with antibiotics in the conjunctival cavity, prescribe antihistamines in case of an allergic nature of the disease.

Glaucoma

A very dangerous disease accompanied by severe increased intraocular pressure. The process is very painful, fraught with complete loss of vision for animals. A characteristic sign of incipient glaucoma is slight bluish tinge to the surface of the eyeball. In advanced cases, the eye can be significantly deformed, crawling far beyond the orbit of the eye (that is, bulging eyes develop).

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The disease is primary and secondary. As a rule, the primary pathology is hereditarily transmitted. The process initially develops only in one eye, but gradually passes to the second. Accordingly, secondary glaucoma appears against the background of eye diseases already present in the animal. Dangerous in this regard is uveitis, all types of cataracts, oncological diseases, retinal detachment and dislocation of the lens.

Therapy will depend on the cause and severity of the disease. A complete treatment does not yet exist - the purpose of the methods used is to reduce intraocular pressure and alleviate the condition of the animal. Unfortunately, the treatment of glaucoma in dogs is nowhere near as successful as it is in humans.

If the disease is started the only one way out - surgical removal of the diseased eye. It sounds, of course, terrible, but for a dog this is the best way out. And further. Do not practice home treatment with “folk remedies”, as in this case you can easily “treat” your pet until he loses both eyes.

Corneal dystrophy

it hereditary disease of dystrophic-degenerative nature. Its only “positive” feature is that pathology does not cause pain and suffering to a sick animal. There are three types of corneal dystrophy, classified according to the location of the pathological process: epithelial corneal dystrophy, which disrupts the formation of the epithelial layer; stromal corneal dystrophy, in which the surface of the eye acquires a clearly visible bluish tint; endothelial corneal dystrophy, in some cases contributing to the formation of cellular "influxes" directly on the surface of the cornea.

Stromal corneal dystrophy usually does not require complicated treatment. Endothelial dystrophy is more severe, a cloudy film appears on the dog's eye, due to which the animal's vision drops to almost zero. The epithelial variety is something in between. How can this pathology be cured?

Alas, a specific and effective treatment of corneal dystrophy has not been developed to this day. If the area of ​​defects becomes very large, and they significantly impair vision, surgical correction. The problem is that the resulting scars also do not contribute to good vision. In the rarest, experimental cases, a cornea transplant is performed ... But even here everything is not too good. Firstly, the cost of the operation is very high, and secondly, the results so far are not very encouraging.

There are quite a few eye diseases that a dog can have. Some are more common with puppies, others appear with age.

Symptoms of eye disease in dogs

1. First of all, the owner of the dog should be alarmed by the appearance of unnatural discharge from the eyes of the pet, as well as abnormal excessive lacrimation. Most often it is characteristic of puppies and young dogs, as well as representatives of certain breeds.
2. The eye itself may also change - inflamed tissues and swelling, depressions on its surface, clouding or white spots appear.
3. An unusual neoplasm or trembling of the iris may appear around or in the eye.
4. Also, the owner may notice that the dog has photophobia, and he cannot look at the light normally and hides in dark places. Loss of vision is also possible.

It happens that puppies are born with an inversion of the eyelid (usually the lower one). The eyelashes of this eyelid rub against the cornea of ​​​​the eye and irritate it. Lachrymation occurs, even corneal cancer can develop. In dogs with muzzle skin that hangs loosely, an eversion of the eyelid often occurs when the edge of the lower eyelid turns outward from the eyeball. This may be a congenital defect or the result of an injury, or it may be due to loss of muscle tone with age.

If the eyes swell and discharge appears, first transparent, and then purulent, then conjunctivitis can be suspected - inflammation of the membrane that covers part of the eyeball and lines the eyelids. By the nature of the discharge, one can judge the cause of the disease. Since they are transparent and liquid, the cause is the wind, a foreign body or an allergy.

If the discharge is thick, purulent, then conjunctivitis is due to a bacterial infection. Pannus (a form of keratitis) is common in German Shepherds and can be seen as a pinkish-flesh film on the eyes. In addition, the dog may experience such diseases as:

• third eyelid adenoma
• glaucoma,
• corneal ulcer,
• dislocation of the lens
• dislocation of the eyeball,
• PAS is progressive retinal atrophy.

Treatment of eye diseases in dogs

1. With lacrimation, it is necessary to identify and eliminate the source of irritation.
2. It is necessary to wash the eyes and the nasolacrimal canal,.
3. If the eyes are irritated by extra eyelashes, which some dogs are born with, it is better to remove them surgically, otherwise, as they age, they will annoy the animal more and more.
4. With enpropion (inversion of the eyelid), as with eversion of the eyelid, plastic surgery is necessary to exclude infection of the eyes.
5. removing its cause. Usually, antibiotics for the eyes are needed for treatment, which are dripped or laid in the form of an ointment. So, tetracycline ointment is popular.

Adenoma of the third eyelid is treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, although in most cases surgery is necessary, as with glaucoma, cataracts, and dislocation of the lens.