Dog Eye Care - The Importance Of Proper Dog Eye Care

Name: Veterinary Services
Brand: Haywood Road Animal Hospital

What is the most important thing when it comes to taking care of my dog's eyes?

The most important thing is not to add anything to their eyes. We need to ensure that their eyes look healthy and clean. You should always be able to see the whites of their eyes, with no discharge or maybe a little bit of clear discharge. If you see any of those things, definitely let us know.

Adele Hilliard
Haywood Road Animal Hospital

How does proper eye care impact the health and well-being of my dog?

The better their eyes are looked after, the happier they will be. There can be many eye issues that cause pain and discomfort, which can lead to depression and all kinds of other things. So just like us, we want to make sure we're staying on top of our eye care and if we see anything abnormal, let us know.

Should I bring my dog in to see a veterinarian if I suspect a vision problem?

Yes, absolutely. We don't want to mess around with our eyes. Those issues can turn nasty pretty fast, especially if we have a scratch or an ulcer or things like dry eye. We want to get your dog in as soon as possible.

What are some signs and symptoms that my dog may have eye issues?

If your dog is blinking excessively, pawing at its eye, if you see a lot of red, green or yellow discharge, if the eye looks like it has a film on it or a white speck or something like that. Anything abnormal should be reported to us.

Why is it important to avoid self-diagnosing dog eye issues?

The longer we wait, the more damage can occur. It can also be very difficult to diagnose an eye issue without the proper testing and equipment which can only be found at a veterinarian's office.

How will a veterinarian diagnose a problem with vision or other eye issues in my dog?

We typically start with three eye tests. The most common one is an eye stain where we look for scratches or an ulcer on the eye. We also have a dry eye test to measure the tear production, and a pressure test that looks at things like glaucoma where there is a lot of pressure in the eyes. All these tests can be done here at Hayward Road Animal Hospital.

If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (864) 288-7472, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram

Dog Eye Care - FAQs

Adele Hilliard
Haywood Road Animal Hospital

Can I treat my dog's eye infection at home?

No, I would definitely not recommend treating your dog's eye infection at home. There isn't anything over the counter that will treat an eye infection. Most of the time, attempts to self-treat can make the condition worse.

Will a dog eye infection eventually resolve on its own?

95% of the time, no. Eye infections typically need treatment, even if they're viral. This could include drops to help keep the eye moist or antibiotic drops if it's become a bacterial issue.

When would I need to seek the help of a veterinarian for a dog eye issue?

If you notice that your dog is pawing at his face, blinking excessively, or showing redness around the eye, or if there is any sort of yellow or green discharge, you should consult a veterinarian. Especially if you don't see any improvement within a day or so.

Can I give my dog eye drops?

I would not recommend using over-the-counter eye drops for your dog. There are specific medicated eye drops that we would administer at the hospital.

Is there such thing as a vision test for dogs?

Yes, a dog's vision can be tested by an ophthalmologist, a specialty dog doctor who focuses on eyes. The test can measure whether or not there's any eyesight, but we can't conclusively determine the exact vision quality.

What are some causes of dog blindness?

Blindness in dogs can be caused by various conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, thickening of the lens known as nucleus sclerosis, a rare condition called SARS where the retina is attacked by the immune system, or high blood pressure.

What should I do if I notice my dog is losing their sight?

If you notice that your dog is losing their sight, you should contact us immediately. Sight loss can be part of normal aging, or it could indicate a more serious issue. Keeping a journal about how quickly the sight loss is progressing and noting if they can navigate around furniture or stairs, or if they're bumping into things, can be helpful for the veterinarian.

Can regular cleaning of my dog's eyes prevent eye issues?

Regular use of formulated dog eye wipes can help keep the eyes clean. However, under normal circumstances, most dogs don't need any additional cleaning- their bodies can take care of it.