what are the symptoms of canine glaucoma?We rescued a deaf Australian Cattle Dog. Her eyes don't look quite normal. I'm wondering if she also has a congenital defect that might affect her eyes.
Posted by Vampiress _ k9 lover
Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in middle-aged dogs and occurs in approximately 8% of dogs in the U.S. Normal healthy eyes contain and have a continuous flow of liquid substance called aqueous. In glaucoma, there is an obstruction to this flow and a consequent build-up of pressure inside the eye. Some cases of glaucoma are congenital while others develop secondary to infections, cataracts, tumors, etc. Certain breeds of dogs are more predisposed to this disease including the Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, Basset Hound and Siberian husky.
SYMPTOMS:
Symptoms of glaucoma may include pain, redness, or a bulging eye with a large pupil. Signs your dog may show you in the early stages of glaucoma re squinting, lethargy, or being head shy. The veterinarian can diagnose glaucoma readily with a pen-like device called tonopen which measures intraocular pressure. Glaucoma is treated with variety of topical medications as well as oral and intravenous medications. Unfortunately, the prognosis for vision in certain types of glaucoma is guarded and most dogs will ultimately require surgery to lower the pressures or to remove a blind and very painful eye.
Oftentimes, the symptoms of glaucoma are subtle initially and intraocular pressure can change rapidly. If you suspect that your pet is having problems with its eyes, this is an emergency and it is best to have it examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment are the keys to preserving vision and ultimately most dogs benefit from the care and expertise of a veterinary ophthalmologist.
HOPE THIS HELPED.
Posted by dogger
could be. Check for cloudiness in the eyes. Sometimes a dog's eyes will glow with reflected light, and if one is much different from the other, there may be a cataract blocking the light in and out.
Of course, the best thing is to have a vet look at the eyes.
Good luck to you and your new rescue!
Posted by Pat Shepherd
Definitely schedule a vet visit and have all possibilities checked out! Thank you for rescuing a dog that had medical problems as they are the least likely to find new forever homes! Bless you!
* An eye affected with glaucoma may be red, swollen, sore, or become clouded in appearance. There are two types of glaucoma seen in dogs: Primary glaucoma occurs when the drainage system is formed incorrectly and secondary glaucoma occurs when an animal has a normal drainage system, but that drain is blocked.
Your vet can perform routine assessment of your pet's eye pressure with a fairly straightforward procedure. Since the most common time for inset of symptoms is between the ages of four and six, this is the time to establish an eye baseline.
If a pet is diagnosed to have glaucoma, immediate treatment is necessary to prevent the animal from going blind. Medication in the form of drops and/or pills may be used or in some cases, a surgical procedure is recommended*
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