A vet has issued an urgent warning to dog owners to watch for four critical signs that could indicate something is seriously amiss with their beloved pooch, cautioning that failure to act could result in devastating consequences.
As pet owners, keeping our furry companions happy and healthy is paramount. Yet this responsibility means constantly monitoring for any unusual symptoms in your dog, particularly as they cannot communicate their discomfort to us directly.
Eye problems are amongst the most common ailments dogs may face during their lifetime. Fortunately, there are some clear signs that make spotting these issues early far more straightforward.
UK-based vet Cat, who boasts more than 323,300 followers on TikTok, has shared the four warning signs every dog owner must watch for, explaining that early detection could be crucial in preserving your pet’s sight.
“Here are four signs you must never ignore when it comes to your dog’s eyes,” she cautioned at the beginning of her video.
1. Winking or squinting.
Cat emphasised that owners should become concerned if their dog begins squinting or winking.
“This could be anything from a simple conjunctivitis, to something stuck in their eye, to them having a problem with controlling how much light is getting into their eyes,” she explained.
She added: “So if your dog starts to wink at you, they need to go see your vet.”
2. Red or bloodshot eyes
While it could be a minor irritation, it might also indicate something far more serious like glaucoma or internal inflammation in the eyeball.
Glaucoma in dogs is a painful condition caused by increased pressure inside the eye due to improper fluid drainage, which can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness if not treated quickly.
Symptoms include eye pain (squinting, pawing at the eye), redness, a cloudy or bluish eye, and a widened or bulging appearance.
3. Unusual discharge
“Number three is any unusual discharge,” Cat said, explaining that this could mean anything from excessive tear production, to sticky, mucousy, or crusting discharge around the eyes.
She went on to say that there are several things this could be, as it all depends on the kind of discharge around the eye.
It could once again be anything from a simple irritation, to corneal ulcers, which can get really serious, or even dry eye conditions where the eye is no longer producing enough natural lubrication.
4. Cloudy or bluish haze in the eyes
For the fourth point, she went on to tell dog owners to look out for any cloudiness or a blue haze when you look your dog in the eyes.
“This can be a normal aging change for dogs, but it can also potentially be something much more serious and sight threatening, like cataracts or glaucoma,” Cat explained.
She went on to say that the only way to figure out what it is is by taking your dog for a check up at the vet.