Eye conditions in a dog can appear suddenly. They can be the result of something as simple as an irritation or something more serious, like glaucoma. It is important to seek medical attention quickly. Many eye problems in a dog can lead to serious complications and possible blindness if not treated in a timely manner.
Things You'll Need
- Eye drops
- Medications
- Soft cloth
- Warm water
Instructions
Realize that there are various things that can cause problems to a dog's eyes. Some causes of eye problems include irritation, allergies, injury, foreign objects, conjunctivitis, glaucoma and cherry eye.
Examine your dog's eyes for any abnormalities. Check for redness, drainage, scratches or foreign objects.
Call your veterinarian to report your findings. Depending on what you've described, your vet may tell you to try some over-the-counter eye drops to see if the condition improves.
Take your dog to the veterinarian's office if his eye condition does not improve or if your vet has determined that your description of the condition sounds serious.
Allow your veterinarian to examine and perform any necessary tests on your dog. He will likely check for things like infection, congenital defects and glaucoma.
Ask for a referral to a canine ophthalmologist if the condition or testing is out of the realm of your veterinarian. Some tests and conditions require specialized knowledge and equipment.
Schedule any veterinary treatments or surgeries necessary to cure your dog's eye problem.
Inquire about medications, treatments and care required for the diagnosed condition when the dog is sent home.
Ask the veterinarian to show you the correct way to administer any required home treatments.
Follow all instructions given to you by your veterinarian. You may be told to keep the area clean and possibly covered. Apply medications and treatments as prescribed by your veterinarian or ophthalmology specialist. Administer any antibiotics as prescribed. Do not miss a dose and use all the medication unless told otherwise by your veterinarian.
Keep your dog away from other pets and small children while he is healing to avoid re-injury.
Take your dog for any necessary follow-up appointments to ensure he is progressing as expected and that there are no complications.
Call your veterinarian immediately if your dog's condition worsens or any new symptoms develop.