Dog Ophthalmology & Dog Glaucoma
 Eyes Health

Acute Dog Glaucoma: The urgency of this is motivated by the pain caused by this problem and by the risk of lesions in the optical nerve that could cause blindness. With Glaucoma, the dog's eye increases in volume due to an abnormal increment in the ocular pressure, the pupil is totally dilated and the vision is blurry. The capillaries around the eye appear to be dilated and therefore, the white of the eye reddens. The vet will apply eye drops which will ease the pain and at the same time it will favor drainage.

When the Eye Comes Out: It is not easy to reintroduce the eye in its orbit and it has to be done when an accident has happened. The most frequent causes of this are fights and getting hit by a car. We take the eye between two pieces of gauze that has been wet with serum and we push it inside the ocular cavity. If we are not able to do this, we will apply some gauze on top of it to prevent an infection.

Burns: These are usually caused by chemical products that the dog has wanted to observe from very close. The curious dog introduces its paw inside the recipient and shakes, the drop reach the eye. The substance affects the cornea and produces pain. In some days an ulcer forms. As and urgent measure we must wash the eye thoroughly with plenty of water.

Dog Pneumonia: These problems usually provoke difficulties breathing and cyanosis.

Acute Pulmonary Edema in Dogs: This is produced by the accumulation of liquid in the lungs and the animal cannot breathe. The abdominal and thoracic movements are out of synchronization. The belly swells and the dog sits, with its anterior legs separate to make breathing easier. This problem has larger incidence in heart dogs and during times of hot weather.

Pneumothorax and Diaphragm Hernia: Both of these circumstances are accidents like having been run over or a fall. Air goes in through a wound in the thorax and the lungs cannot work. In the case of a hernia, the diaphragm rips and the organs in the digestive system penetrate into the thoracic box and don't let the dog breathe. The dog lies on its side almost without breathe.

Dog Asthma: It is an obstruction of the respiratory ways due to allergies. The dog keeps its mouth open constantly and we can see its tongue is blue. It coughs and has difficulties breathing.

Preventing Sicknesses: It is better to prevent than to cure. Medical prevention together with good nourishment and the observation of the hygienic norms will help our dog live in good health.

Inspecting the Dog: The periodical observation of the dog will allow us to control its state of health at all times. In order to do this we will need to be able to hold it and know how to observe the dog. By holding the dog by the jaw and the skin by the back of the neck the dog will let us manipulate it easily and from every angle. If the animal shows nervousness then we will tie up its nozzle so that it will not bite. A simple piece of cloth will do: we will wrap it around the nozzle, cross it below the jaw and then tie it behind the ears.

What must be observed

• The eyes: offer really accurate information about the dog's health. In order to examine the eye we must stretch the inferior eyelid down. This way we will be able to see if the conjunctive is pink.
• The belly: feeling the belly is very important. In a healthy dog the belly is soft and it will not hurt it when we press on it.
• The hair: We have to look between the plantar cushions, in the arm pits and the buttocks. These are the places where parasites usually stay.

Recognizing a Sick Dog: The dog won't eat, it will hide, its hair is ugly, it will not drink and it looks irritated, but looks for our affection. Dog Vaccinations