Dog Eye Care at Highland Park
How important is eye care for my dog?
Eye care is an integral part of your dog's health. While scent is the dominant sense, vision is highly important for normal function and is incredibly important to dogs. It is an important way in which your dog interacts with you and their environment, strengthening the human-animal bond.
How can I tell if my dog is having vision problems?
Eyes are very fragile, and it is difficult for dog owners to determine which issues are serious and which are not.
A veterinary visit is always warranted when ocular redness, squinting, pawing, discharge or vision changes are noted. If your dog is pawing at the eye, utilize a cone until a vet visit can be organized to protect an irritated eye from trauma.
How can I tell if my dog is losing their vision?
Vision can be difficult to assess in the detail that it is for humans. Dogs also have slight variances in the way they focus and direct light within the eyes. Large signs to watch for are behavioral. Bumping into walls or furniture, failing to catch toys or treats that they once could (some pets are not good at this despite perfect vision, so take it with a grain of salt), and changes to depth perception especially at night.
Can I treat my dog’s eye issue at home, or do I need to see a vet?
Self diagnosis is always a dangerous game. While a lot of cases are simple conjunctivitis or nuclear sclerosis which is an age related lens change - it takes specialized tests and tools for vets to even differentiate some of these conditions.
The important part is that the cornea or the surface of the eye is one of the most sensitive tissues in the body. Making sure you have the right diagnosis and treatment is crucial for ensuring pain is managed for your dog.