![]() But often, the cause may not be something as straight-forward as a head injury.Ĭauses of abnormal dilation can happen for numerous other reasons. Head trauma can damage the nerves of the pupil and iris, preventing contraction. A non-reactive – or fixed – dilated pupilĪ pupil which remains excessively dilated in the presence of light is known as a ‘mydriatic pupil’. But changes in the way the pupils respond to light can have a variety of causes.Įxcessive dilation – known as mydriasis – is a more commonly observed symptom, meaning constriction of the pupils – or miosis – has fewer underlying causes. If you or any of the human members of your family need an eye exam, we can help you find an eye doctor to schedule an appointment.Dilation and contraction of the pupils in light and dark environments is a natural response. Using scissors near your dog’s eyes can be dangerous so if you’re not confident, ask your veterinarian or groomer. If you have a dog with long, eye-length fur, make sure to trim the fur so that it doesn’t cause scratches, infection, or in the worst cases, blindness. It is important to clear that away with a damp cloth or cotton ball from the inside corner of the eye, out. Some breeds are more prone to that then others. It’s normal for dogs to have a small amount of crustiness in the corners of their eyes. If your dog loves smelling the outside, crack the window enough to let air in but not enough to let their head out. Remember that time a stone cracked your windshield? Imagine that pebble landing in Spot’s eye. People often worry that their dog might jump out the window but the most common issues involve eye injuries. Don’t let your dog hang out the car window.They are also able to conduct surgeries on the cornea, retina and eyelids. A specialist will continue the normal eye exam with the Schirmer eye test (for tear production), fluorescent eye stain (for cornea), or intraocular eye pressure check. With only around 400 veterinary ophthalmologists in the US, they’re only needed when surgery is required or when your regular vet can’t determine a diagnosis. Veterinarians include a basic eye exam in your dog’s annual exam so they are well equipped to handle some of the simpler injuries and infections. Many of these symptoms are minor (so don’t worry) but they can also develop into something worse if left untreated. So, you found what may be a problem with your dog’s eyes. What Next? Diagnosing Vision Problems in Dogs If there is no reaction, test each eye individually and call your veterinarian. Move your hand swiftly forward until it is about 3 inches from your dog’s face. Hold your hand, palm out toward your dog about 18 inches away from his/her face. This indicates moderate to severe vision impairment. If this is a concern, you can test your dog’s menace reflex as well. When you throw a toy at a certain distance, they may not see it. ![]() If your dog is having trouble seeing, you may notice that he or she is bumping into things and even bumping into you. Confirm that the pupils are the same size (a mismatch may indicate head trauma, macular degeneration or exposure to chemicals - but sometimes resolves itself) and that there is no cloudiness in the eye (cloudiness may indicate cataracts). Now check for signs of other, less common eye issues. If you notice any of these issues and/or your dog is pawing at its eyes frequently, make an appointment with your veterinarian. After washing your hands, gently and carefully pull the eyelid down to check for irritation or debris inside the eyelid. This will present as a visible third eyelid (may indicate a fever), redness, puffiness, excess discharge, crustiness, or watery eyes (may indicate infection). Have them sit in front of you and give them praise and treats for allowing you to examine them. Check your dog’s eyes regularly in a well-lit area. Since you see your dog every day, you’re most likely to notice the signs of ocular issues before anyone else. The purpose of this article is to help you check for common signs and symptoms and equip you with appropriate next steps. Much like humans, your dog can have eye infections, cataracts, injuries, and glaucoma along with other issues. Since your dog can’t speak to you, it’s important to stay alert to signs and symptoms that there might be a problem. Still, they’re members of our family and their health is a top priority. Doggy daycare, grain-free food, monthly Barkbox subscriptions…sometimes it seems like we’re going overboard in how much we baby our dogs.
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