Rubbing her face against the carpeting or pawing at her eyes may be the first indication that there is an issue with your pup's eyes. Your dog does not have a safe, effective way of keeping her eyes clean. You have to provide this important part of her health care. During your weekly health maintenance check, be sure to include an at home eye exam to catch any possible problems early. To do this, position yourself in good light and look closely at your dog's eyes.
What to Look for at Home
Healthy canine eyes are moist and clear. Your pup's eyes should not be causing her any discomfort and the area around her iris (the sclera) should be white. Redness, swelling, squinting, discharge, excessive tearing, or pain are indications of an eye problem that needs immediate attention. Your dog's pupils should be equal in size and react to light. Your dog should be able to hold her eyelids open; closed eyelids are a sign of an issue. The third eyelid in dogs usually is not visible in healthy dogs. Monitor your dog's eyes closely and do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian if you suspect something is wrong.
If you have an older dog and her eyes appear a bit hazy or opaque, do not panic. This can be a normal change due to aging. Your veterinarian will be able to distinguish if this is an age-related condition called nuclear sclerosis, or if it is caused by cataracts. Nuclear sclerosis requires no treatment, but cataracts can cause blindness. If your dog has cataracts, your veterinarian may refer your pet to a veterinary ophthalmologist (eye doctor) for treatment.
It is also a good idea to monitor your pooch for changes in her vision. If you notice that your pet seems to have difficulty seeing objects or runs into walls or the furniture, schedule an exam with your veterinarian.
Eye Care Tips
Keep all hair out of your dog's eyes since scratches to the cornea (the clear membrane across the surface of the eye) can result from hair rubbing on the cornea. Trim the hair using only blunt-nosed scissors, cutting parallel to the edge of the eyelid. This is especially important where the skin folds near the eyes in breeds like Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, and Maltese.
Keep eyes clear of mucus at all times. Use a sterile eyewash and/or eye wipes to keep the skin around the eyes clean. Be sure not to touch the cornea of the eye with the tip of the eyewash bottle or the wipe to prevent damage to the eye.
Apply a protective ophthalmic ointment to protect the eyes before bathing or facial cleanings. Even 'tearless' shampoos can irritate if too much gets in the eyes or if it is not rinsed out soon enough.
Tear staining is a common problem with particular breeds of dogs (e.g., Poodles and Cocker Spaniels) that causes a reddish-brown discoloration of the hair at the corners of the eyes. Normally, tears flow across the surface of the eye and quickly drain through the tear duct. This discoloration at the corners of the eyes is caused by normal tears that spill out and lay on the surrounding hair. For breeds that tend to have tear or saliva stains, you could clean hair in affected areas at least weekly with a tear stain remover product.
Conclusion
Your dog's eyes are too important to take any chances. Be sure to take care of your pup's eyes and to monitor for any problems. Contact your veterinarian if you have any concerns regarding your dog's eye health.
Article by: Marty Smith, DVM and Angela Walter, DVM