How to Stay On Top of Your Dog’s Eye Health

Dog owners agree that dogs are the most loyal furry pals ever. Dogs live fairly long lives when they are healthy and well taken care of. Every dog parent understands that and, therefore, spends more of everything– time, money, and love– for their dog’s wellbeing.

Part of this is caring for their dog’s eyes. It is typical for dogs to have eye issues, whether genetic or caused by outside factors. As a pet owner, you understand how essential this is. All you seek is to give your pet a long life with the best quality.

Preventive Measures

There are two ways to prevent serious concerns. A proactive approach can be incredibly beneficial if you want to safeguard your dog from loss of sight and other eye issues. Look for the vet’s support for these two steps to stay on top of your dog’s eye health.

Wellness Checkups

Your furry friend requires a regular wellness checkup once a year. As your dog reaches senior age, bringing it in at least twice a year is essential. The vet can check the general health of your dog this way, including the eyes. If any signs of problems form, the vet can recommend prompt medication. Ophthalmology for small dogs and big dogs alike is available in vet hospitals.

Genetic Tests

Hereditary conditions are those that are handed down from parent to offspring. Many diseases and disorders that impact the eyes are hereditary. Specialty veterinary hospitals offer eye screening evaluations to see whether a dog will have vision or eye issues in the future.

Also called OFA genetic testing for dogs, single dogs or a puppy litter can be checked anytime. Most who benefit from this are breeders. If hereditary issues are positive, the breeders are discouraged from breeding certain dogs to stop the possible inheritance of eye concerns.

Observing Symptoms

There are common symptoms a dog may display if eye disease is occurring. You may want to be observant and watch out if your pet is experiencing any of the following symptoms:

  • Discharge and tearing
  • Squinting
  • Swelling or redness of the eyes
  • Gradual or sudden loss of vision
  • Cloudiness
  • Constant eye rubbing

If you see any of these happening, do not hesitate to take the appropriate next steps.

Consultation

Call your veterinarian, and bring your dog to the vet if needed. The vet will want to examine your dog’s eyes to determine what triggers the symptom. First aid will be provided to relieve pain or swelling.

Medical Diagnosis

The vet may order laboratory work to be done. This will make it possible for the veterinarian to present the proper medical diagnosis. Equipment is utilized during the testing to look at the outside and inner structures of the eyes. Optic nerves, blood flow, and pressure buildup in the ocular area are some factors that are checked. You may click on the link here to see how advanced ophthalmology diagnostics is.

Treatment

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the corresponding treatment will be provided. Some eye issues can be treated with topical ointments or solutions if the condition is caught early. For severe cases, surgical treatment may be necessary to solve the issue. This is why acknowledging signs early on is important so that conditions will not worsen.

The Bottomline

Keep your dog’s vet schedule and constantly keep an eye out for symptoms. Being proactive regarding your pet’s health, including their eyes and vision, will give them a good quality of life. This will give you the confidence that your pet dog will be alright for a long time.

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