Your pet’s eyes are beautiful and expressive, but they are also at risk for certain issues that can impact your four-legged friend’s quality of life and, in some cases, threaten their vision. The Old 41 Animal Hospital team knows how much your pet relies on their eyesight, and we offer information about common eye conditions that affect pets.

Conjunctivitis in pets

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is a prevalent condition in pets that involves inflammation of the conjunctiva (i.e., the mucous membrane covering the white part of the eye and the inner eyelid surface). Details include:

  • Signs — Common signs include eye redness, swelling, discharge, excessive blinking or squinting, rubbing at the eye, and sensitivity to light.
  • Causes — The various causes include allergies, infection, foreign bodies, irritants, trauma, and underlying health conditions.
  • Diagnosis — Diagnosis is typically based on clinical signs and by ruling out other conditions.
  • Treatment — Treatment depends on the underlying cause, but typically involves topical eye ointments or drops and cleaning the eyes to remove discharge and reduce irritation.

Corneal ulcers in pets

Corneal ulcers are defects in the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. They can be extremely painful and, left untreated, can affect vision. Details include:

  • Signs — Signs include eye redness and swelling, tearing, squinting or excessive blinking, and a cloudy appearance to the cornea.
  • Causes — Corneal ulcers can be caused by trauma, infection, inappropriate corneal lubrication, irritation, foreign bodies, and chemical exposure.
  • Diagnosis — Corneal ulcers are diagnosed by applying a specialized fluorescein stain to the eye. The damaged area turns bright green.
  • Treatment — Treatment involves topical medications to prevent infection and promote healing and systemic medications to manage pain. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to save the eye.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca in pets

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), or dry eye, occurs in pets when the eyes don’t produce enough tears to properly lubricate the cornea and surrounding tissues. This leads to inflammation, discomfort and, if left untreated, severe eye problems. Details include:

  • Signs — Typical KCS signs include eye redness, thick, mucus-like discharge, squinting or excessive blinking, cloudy or dull eyes, and rubbing or pawing at the eyes.
  • Causes — The most common cause is an immune-mediated condition that results in the pet’s immune system attacking the tear-producing glands. Other potential causes include chronic infection, medications, such as sulfa drugs, trauma, and systemic disease.
  • Diagnosis — KCS is diagnosed using a Schirmer tear test to measure tear production. The test involves placing a specialized paper strip under your pet’s lower eyelid to absorb the tears. The distance, in millimeters (mm), that tears wick up the test strip in one minute represents the millimeters of tear production. Normal is greater than 15 mm per minute.
  • Treatment — KCS treatment focuses on managing signs, improving tear production, and preventing complications. Common treatments include tear stimulants, anti-inflammatory medications, antimicrobials, regular cleaning, and artificial tears. In severe cases, the parotid duct can be surgically transposed to redirect saliva to the eye. 

Glaucoma in pets

Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that can lead to vision loss and blindness in pets and occurs when the pressure inside the eye increases and the optic nerve is damaged. Early detection and treatment are crucial to preserve your pet’s vision and quality of life. Details include:

  • Signs — Signs may include bloodshot eyes, cloudy cornea, dilated pupil, squinting or pawing at the eye, tearing, vision loss and, in advanced cases, bulging eyes.
  • Causes — Primary glaucoma has no underlying cause and is often hereditary. Breeds commonly affected include cocker spaniels, basset hounds, and beagles. Secondary glaucoma can be caused by uveitis, lens luxation, trauma, and intraocular tumors.
  • Diagnosis — Veterinarians measure the intraocular pressure with a tonometer, and examine the eye’s drainage angle with gonioscopy. In some cases, ultrasound helps examine structures inside the eye to help diagnose glaucoma.
  • Treatment — Glaucoma treatment aims to reduce intraocular pressure, alleviate pain, and preserve vision. The strategy depends on the severity and underlying cause, but options may include topical eye drops, systemic medications, laser therapy, and drainage implants. If the intraocular pressure can’t be controlled, enucleation may be necessary to keep your pet comfortable.

If you notice signs of eye discomfort or any changes in your pet’s eyes, contact The Old 41 Animal Hospital team, so we can diagnose the problem and devise an appropriate treatment plan.