The Eye Examination For Your Pets

Pets should also go to the eye doctor. Diseases like conjunctivitis, cataracts and glaucoma are some of the clinical conditions that cats and dogs can suffer from. That’s why it’s worth getting them to have a veterinary eye examination from time to time.

The scientific evaluation of the visual field in companion animals is now very advanced, since there are some breeds that are very prone to have vision problems. If we talk about dogs, for example, the Dalmatian is one of those who certainly need constant checks. Let’s see how ophthalmological exams work and their importance for the health of your pets.

What is a veterinary eye examination?

The ophthalmological examination groups a series of analyzes that check if there are eye problems or particular pathologies that begin to manifest themselves. Basically, the doctor is in charge of studying the eyesight and condition of the eye organs.

To understand  if an animal sees well, it is subjected to tests of light, movement of the hands and rubbing of objects. In this way it is possible to understand if it is able to respond to stimuli and recognize the dynamics of the surrounding environment.

Regarding the eyes, aspects such as the secretion of tears, examination of the lens and intraocular pressure are checked . And, as we see, these are fairly thorough and detailed studies.

A thorough check of your pet’s eyes

The complexity of eye exams is also considerable for pets. Even possible pathologies that could affect the eyelids are checked : ptosis, trichiasis, blepharitis, neoplasms, etc. All of these can affect the sight and well-being of the animal.

The cornea is carefully checked for ulcers. On the other hand, the examination of the internal chamber is crucial to detail the state of the iris, the lens, the cornea and the aqueous humor.

All of this certainly stems from the need to take care of a dog, cat or other pet. But also from a concrete security problem, since a living being that sees badly can represent a  danger to himself and to others. Hence the importance of the veterinary eye examination.

The veterinary eye examination is very useful

Usually, vets do a routine checkup when you bring your dogs and cats. But only an ophthalmic veterinarian will be able to analyze and verify any specific eye problems.

If, for example, you notice the presence of strange spots, inflammation or any other unusual element in the eyes of the animal, the right thing is to take him to the veterinary ophthalmologist. When your friend shows pain and tries to scratch his eyes, again , you will need to act quickly.

Suspicious changes in vision or injuries in the eye area are all alarm bells for any responsible owner. If you observe your dog carefully every day, you will be able to detect if there is something wrong.

Eye injuries are very common

Burns, bumps, prolapses, corneal problems and eyelid lesions… All of these are clinical situations that can affect your pets at any time. Scratching another dog, bumping into furniture, or coming into contact with a toxic substance are enough to cause eye injury.

It is always a good idea to relax the area with special eye drops, in the case of dogs. However, veterinary review is required to know the severity of the damage. There are many specimens to which doctors have managed to save the eye, only thanks to the timeliness of their masters.

Be aware that eye examination can be helpful in diagnosing other diseases. This is what happens in cases of glaucoma in dogs, which can be a symptom of diabetes. In this sense, an early visit will allow you to recover the eye and improve the general health of your four-legged friend.

What to do in case of eye problems?

In principle, you should avoid improvising any treatment without first consulting your trusted veterinarian. Therefore, the first thing to do is to take the animal to the clinic and wait for the correct diagnosis made by the specialist.

Another key aspect is prevention. Observe your pet closely and check his body language. This way you can decipher obvious symptoms  and act in advance of the consequences of a possible medical incidence. Remember that a typical sign of eye problems is  excessive tearing.

A good form of prevention is to always maintain a high level of cleanliness. Therefore, among other measures, you should always be careful to shorten any excess hair that may come into contact with the eyes, irritating the pupils, iris and sclera. Debris and dirt often accumulate here, posing a serious danger to cats and dogs.