Dog's Eyes Are Staying Dilated

The pupil is an opening in the middle of the iris. Pupils dilate and contract to adjust the amount of light that enters the eye. They dilate when a dog is in the dark, and they appear small in a well-lit room. Small pupils are also a sign of confidence, while dilated pupils mean fear or stress. If a dog's pupils stay dilated regardless of the light in its environment, the dog may have a medical problem.

  1. Potential Causes

    • Dilated pupils may be a sign of poisoning from the ingestion of a toxic plant such as nightshade or hemlock or other toxic substance such as chocolate, caffeine or alcohol. Dilated pupils may also indicate glaucoma, a condition that causes an increase in the intraocular pressure. The cornea is cloudy, and the dog has a blurred vision. In addition, dilated pupils can indicate progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). The condition is a genetic disease that eventually causes blindness.

    Diagnosing the Cause

    • Diagnosis of the cause involves monitoring other symptoms, taking a look at a dog's history and establishing whether it was involved in a traffic accident or ingested a toxic substance. Additional symptoms may include lethargy, pain, irritated eyes, excessive tearing, cloudy eyes, poor vision, vomiting, confusion, rapid shallow breathing and convulsions. PRA doesn't cause pain. Take your dog to a veterinarian or a veterinary ophthalmologist, a specialist dealing with eye problems, for any eye abnormality.

    Treatment Options

    • The treatment of an eye condition depends on the diagnosis. If a dog is in shock due to poisoning, the veterinarian induces vomiting or administers activated charcoal and intravenous fluids. Glaucoma may require surgery or medication treatment, while PRA can be alleviated through cataract surgery if caught early enough. Dogs with PRA shouldn't be bred, because there is a chance the condition will be inherited.

    Preventing Eye Problems

    • Certain eye problems, such as infections, can be prevented by keeping the eyes and eye area clean. Include eye cleaning in your grooming sessions. Wipe dirt and debris from around the eyes and use an eye wash or saline solution to clean the eyes. Consult a veterinarian if you notice redness or eye discharge or the dog is pawing the eye area.