See Your Pet’s Eye Health More Clearly

                   

                         I get great pleasure when pets make direct eye contact with “their people” and me as that demonstrates their confidence, sociability, and desire to please.  When your pet gazes into your eyes, why not take a good look back at his?  You may be surprised at what you see.

                        One of the most common eye problems that veterinarians observe is cysts of the eyelash oil glands called meibomian gland tumors.  These irregular, benign, small growths located along the eyelid margin can grow big enough to irritate the eye or impede vision.  Not only are they unsightly, these cysts can become infected, painful and messy.  Depending on size and location, your veterinarian will recommend the proper course of action to remove your pet’s cyst.

                        “Cherry Eye” is a term applied to another common eye condition frequently diagnosed in certain dog breeds including Cocker Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Poodles, and English Bulldogs.  This condition can be genetic and originates from an increase in size of the cells of the lacrimal or tear gland located on the third eyelid. The enlarged gland appears as a red bump in the lower, inside corner of the eye that looks like a small cherry.  This condition can be unsightly, uncomfortable, and persistent so surgical correction is recommended. 

                        If your pet’s eyes appear “sticky” with mucus and red all the time, it could be experiencing “Dry Eye,” or Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS).  A pet’s tear film consists of a fluid portion and a mucus portion. In KCS cases, the fluid portion is insufficient thus more mucus accumulates in response.  Dry eye is treatable, but it is critical to intervene early in its course to minimize discomfort and permanent pigment changes that steal vision. Your veterinarian will likely prescribe a cyclosporine eye medication to treat this condition.

                        Feline patients that are inadequately vaccinated and go outdoors will often experience conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the lining of the eye similar to human “Pink Eye.”  Multiple, infectious causes exist for feline conjunctivitis including feline herpes and calici viruses and the feline Chlamydia organism.  Your veterinarian is protecting your cat against these organisms each time she vaccinates it with the distemper/upper respiratory combination vaccine. 

                        Please note that once infected with feline herpes, your cat may become a lifelong carrier and may develop permanent eye lesions or frequent conjunctivitis episodes.  Like herpes virus, feline Chlamydia also tends to occur in a carrier state, resulting in intermittent recurrences when the cat’s immune system is at a low.  Feline Chlamydia can be contagious to humans, causing a painful redness and swelling of your eyelids. Always remember to use good sanitation when handling a cat with “sore eyes!” Ask your veterinarian about treatment choices and L-lysine supplements to minimize your cat’s conjunctivitis flare-ups.

                        Injuries to the eyeball and eyelids are other reasons pets are presented to veterinarians.  These can vary from minor, traumatic punctures or scratches of the corneal surface, and eyelid lacerations, to the “granddaddy” of all eye injuries, the “proptosed” eyeball. 

                        Proptosis of the eye occurs when a pet experiences a blow to the head or eye area that causes the globe to be displaced in front of the eyelids.  The entrapment of the ocular nerve and blood supply as well as unusual exposure of the entire eye makes this condition a true emergency. Timely correction of this problem is crucial to the vitality and vision of the eye.  Seek veterinary advice and attention immediately!

                        Common causes of proptosed eyes include automobile injuries and animal fights, but this condition is also much more likely to occur in breeds with prominent, large eyes such as Shih tzus, Pekingese, Chinese Pugs, Boston Terriers, French and English Bulldogs, Lhasa Apsos and Persian Cats. 

                        With these eye opening ocular conditions in mind, I recommend that every pet owner add a bottle of eye irrigating solution to their pet first aid kit.  For just a few dollars, this “eye wash” solution can be instrumental in removing foreign matter such as hair, plant material, and wood from the eye.  Keeping a pet’s proptosed eye moist with eye wash until arrival at a veterinary facility is also extremely helpful.

                        Bear in mind that your veterinarian can detect diseases such as diabetes, cancer, glaucoma, high blood pressure, and kidney disease by thorough examination of the front and back of your pet’s eyes, the windows for internal health. Be certain your veterinarian performs a “fundic exam” on your pet’s eyes at each wellness exam (“twice a year for life!”).  Give your pet’s eyes more than a glance and you will clearly see their beauty and importance. 

 

Author:  Dr. Bonnie Jones