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Eye problems
A squint is pain. Some eye conditions blind within a day.
01Go now, not tomorrow · 1 point›
· A squinting or held-shut eye — that is pain
· Any cloudiness, blue haze, or a visible change in the surface
· A very red eye with a dilated pupil, which can be glaucoma and can blind within 24 to 48 hours
· Pawing or rubbing at the eye
· Any injury, scratch, or suspected foreign body
· A bulging eye, which is an emergency in flat-faced breeds especially
· Any cloudiness, blue haze, or a visible change in the surface
· A very red eye with a dilated pupil, which can be glaucoma and can blind within 24 to 48 hours
· Pawing or rubbing at the eye
· Any injury, scratch, or suspected foreign body
· A bulging eye, which is an emergency in flat-faced breeds especially
02The less urgent · 1 point›
Clear watery discharge, mild tear staining, and a little sleep in the corner are usually benign. Yellow or green discharge, or any of the above list, is not.
03Common conditions · 1 point›
Corneal ulcers, dry eye, conjunctivitis, cherry eye, cataracts, glaucoma and progressive retinal atrophy. Flat-faced breeds carry much higher risk of ulcers and proptosis because the eye sits more exposed.
04What NOT to do · 1 point›
Never use leftover eye drops, and never a steroid drop without a vet. If there is an ulcer, a steroid can make the cornea melt — which is exactly as bad as it sounds. Never let a dog rub; use a cone.
05Prevention · 1 point›
· A cone at the first sign of rubbing
· Goggles for dogs who ride with their head out of the window
· Rinse with sterile saline after dusty or sandy outings
· For breeds prone to dry eye, ask about a tear test at annual exams
· Goggles for dogs who ride with their head out of the window
· Rinse with sterile saline after dusty or sandy outings
· For breeds prone to dry eye, ask about a tear test at annual exams
06Sources — check this yourself · 1 point›
· American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (acvo.org)
· Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com) — the standard clinical reference, free online
· Cornell Riney Canine Health Center (vet.cornell.edu)
· Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com) — the standard clinical reference, free online
· Cornell Riney Canine Health Center (vet.cornell.edu)
07Everything here is free · 1 point›
Recognizing a squint as pain, and going the same day, is the whole of this page.
Rosette Dog is educational and is not veterinary advice. In an emergency, contact your veterinarian or the nearest emergency animal hospital.
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