Red eyes, excess discharge, constant blinking or itchy spot can all be signs that your pet needs an ophthalmologist appointment. the eyes need constant care and the tutor must always be attentive.. When you notice any changes in the region, you should take the animal for an examination. Although there is no age for eye problems to start appearing, it is important to know that older people need closer monitoring with regard to eye health.
Read below for tips to keep your pet’s eye care!
first signs
Eye diseases can manifest from the birth of the pet (called congenital), at an early age (in a young animal) or appear only at the furry’s most mature age. Therefore, it is always important to maintain preventive eye care. In addition to always being aware of the animal’s general condition, when noticing any changes in the eye region, the tutor should take it for an ophthalmological exam.
The first signs that indicate that something is not going well with the pet’s eyes are discomfort (the pet may have closed eyes), apathy and itching in the region. Therefore, during routine visits, it is important for the veterinarian to assess the animal’s visual acuity, noting if the animal has any difficulty in locating objects or going up and down stairs.
In addition, it is recommended to have an eye check-up annually. Includes detailed examination of the ocular surface, eyelids, conjunctiva and attachments, with the aid of a magnifying glass and flashlight. Sometimes even specific tests such as Schirmer and fluorescein are performed, in addition to measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) and direct or indirect ophthalmoscopy.
Recommended hygiene
To prevent eye damage, some precautions are recommended by specialists. In particular, in brachycephalic animals (short snout), which have a shallower and wider eye socket. The orientation is that the eye area should be cleaned daily with mineral or filtered water and gauze, to remove secretions and dirt.
It’s also important. take care of the eyes at the pet’s bath time, not letting the shampoo fall into your eyes. Also, keeping the pet’s eyes visible helps detect injuries. Therefore, a “fringe” clipping may be necessary. Daily hydration with eye drops, especially when pets are exposed to air conditioning, can also be recommended.
Most common eye diseases in dogs and cats
Learn more about the diseases that most commonly affect the eyes of dogs and cats:
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca: dry eye (simultaneous inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva), which affects adult or elderly dogs of any breed or gender. Persistent smears and mucus consistency can be a symptom of this disease, which is a condition where the watery component of the tear becomes insufficient in quantity and quality, which leads to the formation of a persistent viscous secretion, often with a greenish or crusty appearance. .
Glaucoma: is directly related to genetic inheritance. In these cases, the orientation is to prevent the animal from generating offspring if it is in reproduction. Glaucoma can also be secondary to other diseases that cause chronic inflammation. Like those caused by ticks (erlichiosis and babesiosis).
Eyeball prolapse: common in brachycephalic dogs, as they have greater exposure of the eyeball. The eye ‘disengages’ from the orbit and is projected forward in the event of trauma.
Keratoconjunctivitis in felines: may be associated with feline respiratory complex (CRF). It is caused by a range of infectious agents such as herpesvirus type 1, calicivirus and chlamydia. Symptoms range from sneezing, purulent nasal and ocular discharge, conjunctivitis with edema, and third eyelid protrusion (displacement). In addition to ulcers in the oral cavity.
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