An Overview of Common Dog Eye Problems
There are various reasons why a dog may have a serious eye problem, therefore, it is important to know the genetic make-up of dogs in general.
A normal dog has eyelashes on the upper lid only, in three to four rows that are very close together that they appear as one single row.
They are directed away from the cornea.
Some of these eyelashes may be misplaced in abnormal conditions, on which the hairs are located so that they are directed toward the very sensitive cornea.
The initial irritant may not be associated with this condition, but will act as the exciting mechanism of a vicious circle.
The irritant causes the dog discomfort and produces blinking.
The blinking produces increased pressure by the lids on the cornea, leading to further irritation induced by the aberrant eyelashes.
This irritation further aggravates the blinking and spasms of the muscles occur, thus completing the cycle.
The end result is severe corneal irritation which requires veterinarian attention.
Seek Help From A Veterinarian The object of veterinarian treatment is to interrupt this vicious circle by determining and removing the initial irritant if it is still present.
The defect that is present is treated also.
The common method used to eliminate the aberrant hairs is "electrolysis," in which the hairs are destroyed by electronically produced heat.
Some may prefer to surgically remove the entire row of abnormal hairs.
To treat this problem, professional help is highly recommended.
Some dog owners may mistakenly think that the use of home remedies and pet store drugs is the solution.
Many medications that are used routinely are extremely toxic when ingested, and therefore the well-being of the dog should be a prime concern.
All medications used for eye diseases should be discarded when therapy has been completed.
1.
Excess Tearing Another concern to fanciers of Maltese, Poodle, Shih Tzu, and other small, light colored dogs is called "epiphora", or excess tearing, which is common in the lighter colored dogs.
However, it can happen to dark colored dogs as well, although not as noticeable.
This problem may be caused by: A) The tear duct which drains the tears from the eye may be abnormally positioned.
B) An overproduction of tears without apparent irritation.
C) A small island of hair which may grow from the corner of the eye next to the nose, may act as a wick and tears will then overflow.
D) An abnormal position of the inner corner of the eyelids next to the nose referred to as "medical entropion".
E) A potential metabolic defect associated with porphyrin metabolism.
F) Misplaced eyelashes (as discussed above).
While some authorities recommend a surgical removal of the gland in the third eyelid, others suggest using low levels of oxytetracyclines in dog's daily diet, However, it is the opinion of many veterinarians that thorough evaluation of the entire condition is necessary in order to arrive at a definitive diagnosis and a specific treatment.
In summary, this is one of the problem that requires more research to elucidate all the mechanisms predisposing to it, as well as treatments that will prove effective in the majority of cases.
2.
Cataract Formation Another eye problem that is quite common is cataract formation.
The lens is a refractive structure within the eye.
In a healthy condition, it is optically clear.
It continuously grows through life, but it does so in such a way that the center becomes more compact.
A normal change with age, then, is a condition called "lenticular sclerosis", which should not be confused with an actual cataract.
It is a senile alteration of lens fibers resulting in an absorption of some of the wave lengths in the visible spectrum.
The dog's vision is not changed significantly.
In contradistinction to lenticular sclerosis, a cataract is an apparent opacity within the lens that will not allow the passage of light.
Many false concepts have occurred due to nomenclature.
Cataracts can be classified according to types.
In general, most authorities agree on the following chronological classifications: A) Congenital - born with.
B) Juvenile - occurring in a young dog under five years of age.
C) Senile - occurring in an older dog over five years of age.
The cause, whether hereditary or acquired, may be influenced by many factors including the effects of inflammations, toxins, metabolic defects, trauma, radiation, and others.
It should be noted that the term juvenile cataracts only means that a young dog has cataracts, ,and the condition could be either acquired or hereditary.
Medical therapy is of no avail and surgery is necessary if restoration of vision is to be accomplished.
3.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Another eye disease which is manifested in dogs four years old or older is known as Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
In some cases, it may affect dogs as young as seven months.
It is seen in Springer Spaniels, English Setters, Poodles, Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, Elkhounds, Cocker Spaniels, and others.
It is transmitted as a simple recessive autosomal gene.
The first sign which may be observed is a widely dilated pupil which becomes unresponsive to any light.
The dog will soon show signs of decreased vision during twilight.
The dog's vision progressively decreases until he is completely blind.
Nothing is effective in the prevention of inevitable blindness, but there is some evidence that vitamin A therapy may delay the end stage blindness; however, there is still much discussion on this subject.
4.
Collie Eye Another problem that may affect a dog is commonly known as Collie eye, which is a problem of genetic predisposition.
The genetic mode of inheritance has been determined.
It is a simple recessive autosomal gene.
The syndrome has been "graded" unfortunately, and this is one of the worst mistakes that can be made in eliminating such a disease.
Many experts presently diagnose dogs as affected or unaffected regardless of the variation of eye lesions present.
All the lesions are related to one another and that the presence of any lesions incriminates genotypes.
Because of the recessive gene, a mating of dogs with normal eyes may certainly produce affective offspring.
A normal dog has eyelashes on the upper lid only, in three to four rows that are very close together that they appear as one single row.
They are directed away from the cornea.
Some of these eyelashes may be misplaced in abnormal conditions, on which the hairs are located so that they are directed toward the very sensitive cornea.
The initial irritant may not be associated with this condition, but will act as the exciting mechanism of a vicious circle.
The irritant causes the dog discomfort and produces blinking.
The blinking produces increased pressure by the lids on the cornea, leading to further irritation induced by the aberrant eyelashes.
This irritation further aggravates the blinking and spasms of the muscles occur, thus completing the cycle.
The end result is severe corneal irritation which requires veterinarian attention.
Seek Help From A Veterinarian The object of veterinarian treatment is to interrupt this vicious circle by determining and removing the initial irritant if it is still present.
The defect that is present is treated also.
The common method used to eliminate the aberrant hairs is "electrolysis," in which the hairs are destroyed by electronically produced heat.
Some may prefer to surgically remove the entire row of abnormal hairs.
To treat this problem, professional help is highly recommended.
Some dog owners may mistakenly think that the use of home remedies and pet store drugs is the solution.
Many medications that are used routinely are extremely toxic when ingested, and therefore the well-being of the dog should be a prime concern.
All medications used for eye diseases should be discarded when therapy has been completed.
1.
Excess Tearing Another concern to fanciers of Maltese, Poodle, Shih Tzu, and other small, light colored dogs is called "epiphora", or excess tearing, which is common in the lighter colored dogs.
However, it can happen to dark colored dogs as well, although not as noticeable.
This problem may be caused by: A) The tear duct which drains the tears from the eye may be abnormally positioned.
B) An overproduction of tears without apparent irritation.
C) A small island of hair which may grow from the corner of the eye next to the nose, may act as a wick and tears will then overflow.
D) An abnormal position of the inner corner of the eyelids next to the nose referred to as "medical entropion".
E) A potential metabolic defect associated with porphyrin metabolism.
F) Misplaced eyelashes (as discussed above).
While some authorities recommend a surgical removal of the gland in the third eyelid, others suggest using low levels of oxytetracyclines in dog's daily diet, However, it is the opinion of many veterinarians that thorough evaluation of the entire condition is necessary in order to arrive at a definitive diagnosis and a specific treatment.
In summary, this is one of the problem that requires more research to elucidate all the mechanisms predisposing to it, as well as treatments that will prove effective in the majority of cases.
2.
Cataract Formation Another eye problem that is quite common is cataract formation.
The lens is a refractive structure within the eye.
In a healthy condition, it is optically clear.
It continuously grows through life, but it does so in such a way that the center becomes more compact.
A normal change with age, then, is a condition called "lenticular sclerosis", which should not be confused with an actual cataract.
It is a senile alteration of lens fibers resulting in an absorption of some of the wave lengths in the visible spectrum.
The dog's vision is not changed significantly.
In contradistinction to lenticular sclerosis, a cataract is an apparent opacity within the lens that will not allow the passage of light.
Many false concepts have occurred due to nomenclature.
Cataracts can be classified according to types.
In general, most authorities agree on the following chronological classifications: A) Congenital - born with.
B) Juvenile - occurring in a young dog under five years of age.
C) Senile - occurring in an older dog over five years of age.
The cause, whether hereditary or acquired, may be influenced by many factors including the effects of inflammations, toxins, metabolic defects, trauma, radiation, and others.
It should be noted that the term juvenile cataracts only means that a young dog has cataracts, ,and the condition could be either acquired or hereditary.
Medical therapy is of no avail and surgery is necessary if restoration of vision is to be accomplished.
3.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Another eye disease which is manifested in dogs four years old or older is known as Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
In some cases, it may affect dogs as young as seven months.
It is seen in Springer Spaniels, English Setters, Poodles, Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, Elkhounds, Cocker Spaniels, and others.
It is transmitted as a simple recessive autosomal gene.
The first sign which may be observed is a widely dilated pupil which becomes unresponsive to any light.
The dog will soon show signs of decreased vision during twilight.
The dog's vision progressively decreases until he is completely blind.
Nothing is effective in the prevention of inevitable blindness, but there is some evidence that vitamin A therapy may delay the end stage blindness; however, there is still much discussion on this subject.
4.
Collie Eye Another problem that may affect a dog is commonly known as Collie eye, which is a problem of genetic predisposition.
The genetic mode of inheritance has been determined.
It is a simple recessive autosomal gene.
The syndrome has been "graded" unfortunately, and this is one of the worst mistakes that can be made in eliminating such a disease.
Many experts presently diagnose dogs as affected or unaffected regardless of the variation of eye lesions present.
All the lesions are related to one another and that the presence of any lesions incriminates genotypes.
Because of the recessive gene, a mating of dogs with normal eyes may certainly produce affective offspring.
