It is very important to always check your dog’s eyes, specially when he or she has reached the age of five (5) which is considered as the start of the “senior years.”
Heather Russell-Revesz, in How to Care for Your Dog’s Eyes from fourpaws.com, notes:
“Look into the eyes of your darling dog and you’ll see unbridled love and devotion reflected back at you. Those expressive eyes say so much, and it’s up to you to keep them healthy and looking good. You may not think about caring for your dog’s eyes as a part of his regular grooming routine, but it is important to include an eye check as part of the process.”
Regular check-up
We have our senior dogs’ eyes checked every year by an ophthalmologist at the Vets in Practice in White Plains, Quezon City. An appointment must be set with the ophthalmologist.
We also ask a vet who comes over every month to check the eyes of all rescued dogs and personal dogs.
We ourselves check the dogs’ eyes as often as we can.
What to look out for
“The first thing you need to do is to visually inspect your dog’s eyes. Look for redness, swelling, or unusual discharge. The eyes should be clear and bright, and the lining should appear pink and healthy,“ says Russell-Revesz.
She adds: “Dogs who exercise in fields or forests may be more apt to get foreign bodies stuck in their eyes, but even city dogs can experience this problem. And while your dog may enjoy sticking his head out the window while you’re driving, this increases his risk of eye injury. It’s best to keep him safely enclosed inside the car.”
Moreover, Russell-Revesz says that pugs, shih tzus and other short-nosed dogs “tend to have slightly bulging eyes that are more prone to accidents. If you have a short-nosed breed and observe anything unusual that might be an issue, make an appointment with your veterinarian.”
Eye care
Tear stain removers and eye cleaners are available in clinics. Please ask your vet for the best product for these concerns.
Gently remove tear stains from around the eyes by wiping around the eyes and in the corners. Please avoid touching the eyeball.
“If you have a dog with white fur, use the wipes daily to prevent tear stains. Otherwise a few times a week is a good routine for most dogs, “Russell-Revesz says.
Please ask your vet to show you how to clean the eyes. This is very important so as not to damage your dog’s eyes.
A vet will prescribe an eye drop for dogs that is suitable for different eye problems such as cataract (white film in the eyes), pigmentation, or dry eyes and irritation, among others.
Please do not “self-medicate” for your dogs.
