Raising a dog is a big responsibility. Unlike humans, dogs can't really tell when something's bothering them. Therefore, you should check your dog regularly, including taking the time to examine his eyes. In addition to making sure the dog's eyes are not infected and free of dust, this examination can also help you find symptoms of a serious illness before it gets worse in your dog. Take good care of the dog and his eyes. That way, your dog will grow up happy and will love and be loyal to accompany you.
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Part 1 of 3: Checking Dog's Eyes
Step 1. Take the dog to a bright place
Take the dog to a place with good lighting. That way, you can see if there's anything out of the ordinary in his eyes that doesn't show up in dim areas.
Caress your dog's body and use a gentle voice to keep him calm and feeling okay
Step 2. Ask the dog to sit and be still
If your dog understands the commands "sit" and "shut up," pass them on. This will keep your dog calm as long as he has his eyes checked and doesn't run around or play with you.
Consider giving him a treat as a treat for being nice
Step 3. Pay attention to the dog's eyes
Gently hold the dog's head. Look closely at his eyes, noting for signs of infection, debris, or disease. Be sure to pay close attention to the dog's eyes for signs of disease, as well as foreign objects such as dirt or grass.
- Observe if there is a scaly coating, fluid, or water on the dog's eyeballs. Also make sure your dog's eyeballs have a white area around them that looks healthy and not reddened.
- Pay attention to the pupils and make sure they are the same size. Observe if the dog's eyes appear cloudy or irritated. You should also make sure the dog's third eyelid (which is usually invisible, but is there to keep dust and dirt out of the eye) is not visible. If you find a white membrane that makes your dog's eye appear pushed back, it's probably the third eyelid.
Step 4. Examine the coat of the dog's eyes
Just like humans, dogs also have eyelids that protect their eyes. This means that most of the dog's eyeballs will not be visible unless the eyelid is pulled up or down. Gently tug on the dog's eyelids with your finger. After that, make sure the dog's eyes are not reddened and the inner lining is healthy (not irritated, not injured, or exposed to debris).
- Wash your hands before touching your dog's eyelids. Your hands may carry bacteria or other germs that can get into your dog's eyes and cause an infection.
- Be sure to examine the lower and upper eyelids.
Step 5. Check the dog's menace reflex
It's also a good idea to make sure your dog's eyesight isn't impaired by checking the menace reflex. You can do this by placing your palms open towards the dog's face. Place the palm of your hand about 50 cm from the dog's face and then quickly bring it closer to about 10 cm from his face. The dog will blink if he has no vision problems.
- If you don't react to this test, your dog may not be able to see very well or even not see at all.
- You can repeat this test in the other eye to see if there is a problem with both eyes.
- Be careful. Do not let your dog hit your hand while undergoing this test.
Step 6. Understand the symptoms
There are many diseases that can attack the dog's eyes. Some diseases are serious, while others are not. However, if you're worried about something, it's a good idea to get your dog checked by a vet. Leaving the disease in your dog's eyes will only make it worse.
- If your dog's third eyelid is visible, he may have a fever. This means that the dog may have a serious illness.
- A dog's eyes that appear reddened are also a sign of illness. If one or both eyes are red, your dog may be sick or exposed to an irritant, or it may be infected.
- A dog's eyes that look cloudy are a sign of cataracts. This disease is quite common in dogs.
- While some dog breeds have protruding eyes, if your dog's eyes appear to stick out when they weren't before, this may be a sign of glaucoma.
- If the dog's eyelids appear to be rolling inward, this symptom may indicate entropion disease. This disease can cause damage to the eye due to friction between the eyelids and the eyeball.
- A lot of discharge, irritation, and redness of the eye may indicate an eye infection.
Part 2 of 3: Caring for Dog's Eyes
Step 1. Clean the dog's eyes regularly
To keep your dog's eyes clean, all you need to do is moisten a cotton ball or soft cloth with clean, fresh water and then wipe off any scales or other debris around the eyes. Start cleaning the dog's eyes from the inner corner of his eye and wipe the cloth outward away from the eye.
- Gently rub the dog's eyes to avoid scratching the eyeballs.
- If your dog has dry eyes, talk to your vet about using eyewash.
Step 2. Trim the hair and fur around the dog's eyes
Long hair around the dog's eyes will not only block his vision, but can also puncture and scratch the eyeball, causing irritation, infection, or even blindness in the dog. So, make sure to trim the hair around your dog's eyes to protect him from this problem.
- You can treat your dog's hair or coat yourself at home or take him to a professional pet salon.
- Be careful when using scissors around the dog's eyes. If you're afraid to trim the hair around the eyes, it's best to seek professional help the first few times. Ask if they can teach you how to trim your dog's hair safely.
Step 3. Check your dog's eyes regularly and visit the vet if there is anything unusual
It's a good idea to have your dog's eyes checked regularly. For example, every time you take care of your dog's hair, or at least once a month. If you find anything unusual, it's best to contact your veterinarian to see if you need to have him checked.
- Some dog breeds are more prone to eye problems than others. Ask your vet if there are any common eye problems you should watch out for in your dog breed.
- Several dog breeds are known to be prone to various eye problems, including: pug, shih tzu, bulldog, sheepdog, poodle, and maltese.
Step 4. Don't let the dog get his head out of the car
While dogs love to stick their heads out of car windows, this habit risks exposing their eyes to insects, dirt, and other debris that can cause irritation or even more serious injury. For that, while the dog is in the car, close the windows so that the dog cannot stick its head out.
- This may make you sad, especially if your dog really likes it. However, remember that you are doing what's best for him.
- You can open some of the car windows. Still, make sure the dog can't stick its head out.
Part 3 of 3: Visiting the Vet
Step 1. Take the dog to the vet
If you notice anything unusual in your dog's eyes, it's best to get him checked by a veterinarian immediately. Some diseases can progress quickly and if left unchecked, can lead to permanent blindness.
- Veterinarians know what signs and symptoms to look for, and have adequate equipment to properly diagnose problems in dogs. Don't risk your dog's eyesight.
- If you're worried about the cost of a vet check, ask if there's an installment payment method. Most vets will be happy to help you.
Step 2. Do not put anything into your dog's eyes without consulting your veterinarian first
If your dog has had chronic eye problems, you may still have the medication used to treat the condition in the medicine box. However, if your dog seems to be scratching his or her eyes, or if you suspect the same problem is recurring, don't just use the old medication. First, check with your vet to be sure.
If you give your dog medication without consulting your vet first, his eye problems may get worse. The medicine you give him may even make him blind
Step 3. Describe the dog's symptoms clearly
Explain why you got your dog checked and when you first noticed the symptoms. Be clear and concise. Explain if you notice anything strange while examining your dog's eyes, or if the dog is scratching itself.
- This explanation is useful to help veterinarians determine the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
- If you've done anything to treat your dog's eye problem, talk to your doctor about this as well. If you suspect something might be causing this problem, let your vet know. For example, tell your veterinarian that your dog has recently visited a dense forest area and you suspect that wood or animal has pierced his eye.
Step 4. Check your dog regularly
While you should always pay attention to your dog's health and safety at home, it's also a good idea to have your dog checked out at the vet once or twice a year. If there is a problem with your dog, these regular checkups will increase your chances of getting it treated early before it's too late.
Most states in the US have regulations governing rabies vaccination for dogs. Regular annual checkups will not only prevent many diseases, but also update the dog's vaccination status
Tips
- After examining your dog's eyes, give him a treat or extra attention. That way, the dog will understand that he has behaved well.
- When bathing your dog, try your best to keep soap out of his eyes as it can cause irritation. Imagine if your own eyes were exposed to soap.
