The eye organ in canines structurally corresponds to somewhat the same composition as humans. The eye anatomy differs with dogs having a third eyelid, located at the inner corner of the eye and some breeds (Poodles, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pekingese, Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apsos) of dogs produce hair in the nasal folds that grow up against the eyeball. The sub-sections of the eye (cornea, pupil, anterior chamber, iris, ciliary body, lens, eye muscle, optic nerve, vitrous chamber, retina, and orbital fat) function the same in the dog as in man. People normally see at acuity of 20/20, whereas dogs see at about 20/75. Dogs have poorer vision than humans do.
Mana Dogs Eyes
Mana, a 14-year-old, honey and white colored, Beagle, looks up at me one day with sunken eyes. He had been running through the bushes at the park and started to show symptoms once he arrived home. Mana used his right front paw to rub his right eye and kept barking and whining at me. A visit with the Veterinarian revealed a corneal abrasion on the right eye. The dog most likely hit his eye when he ran through the bushes at the park. The Veterinarian prescribed a mix of neomycin, polymixin B and bacitracin ointment for the right eye.
Background:
Dog owners need to be aware of conditions associated with sunken eyes (Enophthalmos). A sunken eye may crop up with eye pain, dehydration, and weight loss.
Assessing the Eye Condition:
1) Pain – The dog displays ocular pain with signs of excessive tearing, squinting, tenderness to touch and sensitivity to light. Other indications of eye pain include loss of appetite, lethargy, whining and crying. Your pet may rub his paw against his eye, or display severe squinting and shutting of the eye. Treatment depends on the underlying cause. The main diagnoses for serious eye pain include acute glaucoma, uveitis (inflammation of iris and ciliary bodies), keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) and corneal injuries.
2) Dehydration – Both eyeballs may recede into the eye socket when the fat pads behind the eyes diminish in size in conditions of dehydration. Dogs with dehydration or excessive loss of fluid display dry eyes, dry mouth and loss of skin elasticity such that you can make a tent with their skin. For an animal with no vomiting, one can give electrolyte solution (like solutions used for children) of Ringer’s lactate with 5 percent dextrose or Pedialyte solution (obtainable at local drugstores). For severe cases of dehydration, take the animal to the nearest animal hospital.
3) Weight loss – Weight loss produces the same effect on the eyeball as dehydration. One needs to ascertain the underlying cause of the weight loss. Kidney disease, heart disease, cancers, periodontal disease, and loss of smell or taste produce some cases of weight loss. Weight loss of several pounds requires a veterinary checkup to determine the cause and to initiate treatment.
What can you, as a dog owner do for eye problems?
By having your canine companion complete a yearly health examination, you will be able to determine if the dog has early eye disease. With proper treatment, you can add a few more quality years to the life of your much-loved dog. When acute issues do arise with your animal, prompt treatment improves the health of the animal.
References:
Eldredge, D.M., Carlson, L.D., Carlson, D.G. & Giffin, J.M. Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook. Amazon.com
Vet Info. Dehydrated dogs. Vetinfo.com
