 |
What Kind of Canine Eye Problems Might My Dog FaceThe Resource for Everything About Dogs |
|
|
|
What Kind of Canine Eye Problems Might My Dog Faceby Scott LeRoy
Canine eye problems have recently been a focus of veterinarians, breeders and pet owners alike. Dogs tend to develop many ocular issues throughout their lives, due to inherited genetic disorders or simply by engaging in doggy behavior. Often a veterinarian might need to be contacted if an infection or disorder is severe, but there are some at home treatments that can help heal an ailing dog's eye. Herbal and homeopathic eye washes are widely available and helpful in preventing and treating canine eye disorders. Some common problems that can be fully or partially treated with such washes are cherry eye, in which the dog's tear gland becomes inflamed; entropion, in which the eyelid turns inward which causes the eyelashes to scratch and irritate the eye, and irritations that can accompany bacterial infections. Dogs often develop irritation involving the tear ducts and glands around the eye with which a homeopathic eye wash could help tremendously in reducing pain and irritation. Such eye washes may also be beneficial in treating more serious disorders, such as glaucoma, swellings and conjunctivitis. Since dogs are always poking their noses into things, and they tend to bathe less regularly than humans, they are very susceptible to eye infections. These canine eye problems are caused by bacteria that get into the eye, or a foreign irritant. If left untreated, these infections can become chronic. An herbal treatment of rosemary, burdock root, and meadowsweet has been found to be extremely effective in countering the pain and inflammation that accompanies a bacterial eye infection. For inflamed or swollen eyes, another canine eye problem, a poultice of bentonite and pascalite clay mixed with some ginseng extract has been effective on many animals in the past. The soothing ginseng and coolness of the clay act as an anti-inflammatory agent that has the added benefit of calming the dog and relaxing it if any trauma has been experienced. There are a number of dog supplements that can be effective for eye ailments as well as many other common canine ailments. Cataracts are one of the most common canine eye disorders. Just like in human eyes, a cataract impairs vision by clouding the lens of the eye, and some cataracts are much more severe than others. Dozens of breeds of dogs are susceptible to cataracts, which is an inherited disorder. Often, cataracts do not cause complete blindness and may require no treatment. If the cataract is severe, however, surgery may be required. It is helpful if your dog is developing eye problems to make its life easier by keeping food and water bowls in the same place and minimizing new environments, as these may be stressful to the animal. Often, a canine eye problem is an indicator of another disease. Since eyes rely heavily on blood, some problems show up there first. If your dog develops any redness, swelling or discharge from the eye, they should be taken to a veterinarian for diagnosis.
Return to Index |
|
|
|
Cannot find it here? Search the internet with the power of Google: |
 |
