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Eye Conditions
7/14/15
Last Updated on
Looking into our dog’s eyes, we can learn whether they are happy, sad, excited, or not be feeling well. Common symptoms of ill health are cloudiness of the eyes, inflammation, or tearing. This can be caused by a variety of reasons, continue reading to learn more.
You can tell a lot about your dog by looking into his eyes. Their kindness, cheery mood or empathy shines through them. We love looking into our dog’s eyes, which is good because it means if there is any eye illness, you’ll notice it, but when should you go to the vet with an eye issue?
She is a white poodle mix who had severe rust staining around eyes, mouth and paws. After we fed her Darwin’s, it’s gone. She was a finicky eater and we had trouble getting her to eat. After we started her on Darwins, she has never walked away without thoroughly licking her bowl clean – Sam C., California
Common Eye Problems for Dogs
The most common eye issues for dogs include:
- Conjunctivitis
- Dry eye
- Cherry eye
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Epiphora
- Ectropion
- Entropion
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Symptoms of an Eye Issue
Healthy eyes should appear clear and bright with both pupils being equal in size and the areas around them white. If you notice that your dog’s eyes are producing any of the following symptoms they might have an eye condition and should warrant a call to your vet:
- Discharge, crust, or goopy eyes
- Excessive tears or swelling
- Their eyes appear cloudy
- The whites of their eyes are red or bloodshot
- Their pupils are unequal in size
- Droopy eyes, squinting or excessive blinking
Symptoms of many different eye problems look the same, and so your vet can help you determine whether it is an infection or allergy, dry eye or something more complex.
What Causes Eye Problems in Dogs
Eyes are sensitive and there are many factors that could contribute to your dog’s eye issues. The cause may be:
- A minor abrasion
- An infection
- A genetic cause
- Allergies
- Dirt, debris, or excessive wind coming in contact with the eye
- Hair in their eyes
Preventing Eye Problems in Dogs
Our dog’s eyes are one of most essential parts of their body making it extremely important that you are proactive about protecting them. It is best to consult your vet for eye care tips since every breed has different genetic predispositions and eye related issues.
One easy step you can take every day with any breed is to feed your dog a proper diet. A poor quality, highly processed, high carb diet is one of the most common causes of crusty, runny, dull eyes. Commercial foods can also cause an allergic reaction, leaving your dog with red runny eyes.
By switching to a premium raw food full of quality meat and vegetables, your dog will naturally fight off toxins that would otherwise cause issues with their eyes, ears and digestive tract.
Darwin’s meals are wheat free, gluten free, GMO-free, and made with a variety of different proteins and organ meats to provide the maximum range of nutrition and to keep your dog from developing health issues. Our food also contains Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids to keep the cells in your dog’s eyes and brain working at full capacity.
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