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Evaluating Your Dog’s Health – Eyes

August 20th, 2009

Since our animals cannot speak to us in words, this is part three of our series on items you need to check each month to keep your pet healthy.

These steps will help you to know when your ailing dog needs to be taken to the vet and when you can take care of him at home.

This week we are focusing on eye health.

They say that dogs’ eyes are the windows to their soul. If you know your dog you can tell by looking into their eyes how they are feeling. The eyes should be bright and clear, with no swelling, redness, heavy tearing or runny discharge.

An unusual amount of discharge in the corners of the eyes or a reddish or “meaty” appearance of the conjunctiva are signs of conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membrane that lines the eyelid, the conjunctiva).

• If you notice constant rubbing or pawing at the eye area, something is there
• Wipe away dried matter from the corners of your dog’s eyes using a moistened cotton ball… no soap!
• Redness, Tearing or Discharge can be caused by something in the environment, it is especially common in dogs that ride with their heads stuck out of car windows or spend a lot of time outdoors in windy, dusty weather. This can also be a sign of Allergy.
• Eye problems that don’t clear up within 24 hours should be treated by a veterinarian
• Excessive tearing (usually caused by allergies, infections, injuries, or irritation)
• Tear stains beneath the eyes may indicate a problem.

If you see your dog continually pawing at his eyes or squinting, they may have a foreign body in the eye. Examine the eyes in a well-lit room. To get a good look, pull down on the lower lid and up on the upper lid. If only one eye appears to be affected, compare it to the other eye to see how they differ. If you can’t find anything or if you can’t remove the object, take your dog to the vet for treatment. You can also keep “Natural Tears” around the house for those red eye days or to flush the eye.

* H I N T * To help keep stains under control, wash the area under the eyes frequently using warm water and a cotton ball. Do not use soap near a dog’s eyes. Soap in the eye can cause a corneal ulcer.

Utilize this advice and have a healthier, happier dog! We will continue this series for many more weeks so stay tuned in!

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This information has been provided by Susan Hartlzer of AlphaDogPR.  They are based in Los Angeles and a chosen resource for editors, producers, writers and reporters.  Alpha Dog PR is dedicated to providing the media with the most up-to-the-minute information about the rapidly growing pet industry. For more information, please visit www.alphadogpr.com or call (818) 998-6299.

Tags: allergies, dog, dog health, eyes
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