Does Your Pet Need An Eye Doctor? Here's What You Didn't Know

Eyesight, like all other senses, is important to care for in our pets. But pups aren’t able to verbally inform us when their vision begins to go blurry or if they’re having some difficulty seeing properly, so we have to be on the lookout for other signs.

There are a wide variety of eye-related illnesses that can affect pups, and a good number of them may be hereditary. You can read up on some of the most common ones and how to spot their symptoms here. But there are also some general signs you can keep an eye out for – no pun intended!

Pups who begin to squint often or seem to bump into objects more often, especially at night, could be showing signs of eye defects manifesting. Clouding in the eyes, especially the lens or cornea, redness, and gunky, smelly discharges are also often a symptom of trouble.

Some vets estimate that one in ten pups who are taken to the vet have eye issues, especially cataracts. Surgery is necessary for pups and their eye conditions more than for other pets, but sometimes the conditions will be left alone and simply managed with medication or proper care.

The good news is that if you do notice an eye problem, you do not need to panic and run to a specialist. Your usual vet can examine the pup for trouble and tell you if you need to see a specialist. General vets can deal with conjunctivitis and minor eye injuries and will refer you to a specialist if surgery is needed or they are unable to diagnose the condition. A specialist will then perform a series of tests to discover the problem.

Your pups eyes are a very important part of his system – care for them well! Like and share away, people!