Glaucoma in Dog's Eyes

The symptoms of canine glaucoma are the same as human glaucoma. Glaucoma is an increase in pressure within the eye. The fluid inside the eye of a mammal is referred to as the aqueous humor. If this fluid builds up faster than it drains, it causes an increase in pressure. Left untreated the disease can progress into blindness. Follow the instructions of a veterinarian in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

  1. Susceptible Dog Breeds

    • Several breeds of dogs have a higher susceptibility to glaucoma than others, according to dogster.com. The popular breeds include the basset hound, cocker spaniel, miniature and standard poodle and the beagle. Less popular breeds are the Springer spaniel, Jack Russell terrier and the chow chow. While these breeds have a higher statistical possibility of glaucoma, all dogs can succumb to the disease.

    External Symptoms

    • A gradual increase in the pressure within the eye of the dog may have no external visible symptoms. Rapid increases in pressure can be accompanied by redness of the eye along with the dog rubbing his eyes. In both cases, early detection and treatment of the disease is vital for a successful outcome.

    Diagnosing Canine Glaucoma

    • A veterinarian or a veterinarian optometrist, which is a veterinarian specializing in eye problems, will test the pressure inside the eye of the dog, according to the glaucomaindogs.com. This process is known as tomometry, and is similar to the tests performed on humans. The pressure may be tested and tracked overtime to determine if the pressure is increasing or, if they are prescribed, responding to medication.

    Dangers of Glaucoma

    • Excessive pressure inside the eye can stretch the eye. This can damage the retina and the optical nerve, leading to loss of vision. In the worst cases, it blinds the dog and becomes so painful the eye may need to be removed.

    Treatment for Canine Glaucoma

    • Medications for glaucoma are sometimes prescribed. These medications can be topical eye drops or oral pills. Additional treatment options include laser surgery to open the portion of the eye where the fluids will drain and decrease the pressure or cryotherapy, where a portion of the eye that produces aqueous humor is killed by freezing, reducing the pressure by lowering the production of fluid.