9 Common Eye Problems in Pets – Part 2

The eyes are one of a dog or cat’s most important body parts as they give the sense of sight. This sense of sight brings with it an easier ability to socialise and develop mentally. Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we often help those with a variety of eye complaints – nutrition can make a difference to your pet’s eye health!

Eye problems in pets can range from minor issues like Conjunctivitis, all the way through to severe conditions like Progressive Retinol Atrophy and other conditions that can end in blindness. This bumper 2-part blog explains what the 9 common eye problems we see most are, how they’re caused, and what you can do to help prevent or improve eye problems in your beloved pet.

In Part 2, we will be looking at Glaucoma, Corneal Ulcers, Corneal Dystrophy and Progressive Retinol Atrophy, and we will also discuss some general nutrition and lifestyle tips for eye health!

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition found commonly in both dogs and cats. When there is a build up of intraocular pressure due to the reduced ability for the eye to drain the fluid, the eye becomes severely painful, and can lead to blindness. Intraocular pressure is the pressure of the fluid located inside the eye; the fluid is called aqueous humor.

Typical symptoms of Glaucoma include swelling/bulging of the eye, redness/bloodshot eye, squinting, pawing at the eye, or rubbing it on furniture, increased tear production, and cloudiness.

Those with primary Glaucoma have the congenital lack of ability to successfully drain the fluid from the eye, whereas those with secondary Glaucoma do so as a result of trauma or other eye issues. Breeds most affected by primary Glaucoma include the Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound, Shar Pei, American Cocker Spaniel, Beagle and Husky.

In most cases, the vet will have a rough idea as to what the problem with your pet’s eye is just form looking at it, however to confirm their suspicions, they will use a handheld device called a Tonometer, which measures the pressure inside the eye.

Once diagnosed, to give the pet the highest chance of avoiding vision loss, they will act immediately with a treatment plan. Treatment could include surgery, eye drops, or even oral medications depending on the severity. Always accept offers of painkillers for pet as this condition is painful! Oral medications to suppress aqueous humor production are more commonly used now than ever!

Usually the chance of recovery heavily depends on the type of Glaucoma and speed of diagnosis and treatment. Those with primary Glaucoma tend to go blind in the vast majority of cases, whereas those with secondary Glaucoma tend to stand more chance of recovery if the right treatment is given quickly after symptoms start.

Findings Here
Findings Here

Corneal Ulcer

Corneal Ulcers are one of the most common eye complaints we see. Characterized by their dented appearance, ulcers can happen for a number of reasons, and can be of various levels of severity. These ulcers are wounds on the front of the eye, and they can be shallow or deep. The deeper the wound, the more damage done, and the harder they are to treat.

Common symptoms in those with eye ulcers include squinting, increased tear production, cloudiness, discharge in the corners of the eye, rubbing the eye with a paw or against furniture, and reduced awareness of the pet’s surroundings.

Ulcers are most common in dogs and cats with bulging eyes (typically brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians and Exotic Shorthairs) due to their vulnerability to eye trauma, but can occur in any breed!

During diagnosis, your veterinarian will use a dye known as a fluorescein stain, which is dropped into the eye. This stain will show any dents or imperfections in the cornea, allowing a diagnosis of the ulcer.

There are multiple types of ulcer, and the treatment recommended will heavily depend on the type of ulcer at hand. In the majority of cases, an antibiotic eye drop will be prescribed to prevent any infection building in the wound, as well as a lubricating eye drop to aid smoothness while the eye is injured. All cases will be prescribed a pain killer medication which is essential for your pet’s comfort. You will also be instructed to not allow your pet to scratch the eye/face area. More severe cases will require surgery, the most common surgery being a Diamon Burr Debridement whereby the dead tissues in the eye are removed.

Top Tip: ask your vet to make a blood serum! For mild to moderate ulcers, this serum can be incredibly affective in quickly treating the ulcer!

In some severe cases infection sets in, and begins eating away at the cornea, further increasing the risk of blindness, and spreading of infection. This type of ulcer is known as a melting ulcer and will require immediate action. The eye will begin to have a mushy appearance in these cases.

Findings Here
Findings Here
Findings Here

Corneal Dystrophy

Another eye complaint characterised by cloudiness of the lens, Corneal Dystrophy is a hereditary condition whereby abnormal deposits can be found on the cornea. There are not one, but three types of Corneal Dystrophy our pets can face. The three types are:

• Epithelial: mildly painful, causing severe light sensitivity and squinting. Deposits form on the outermost layer of the cornea.
• Stromal: usually painless with mild visible changes to the eye such as hazy spots. Deposits of fats and minerals form on the middle layer of the cornea.
• Endothelial: very painful due to swelling within the eye. Affects the innermost layer of the cornea. Can result in ulcers.

The symptoms for this condition are usually very obvious to the naked eye and include cloudiness of the lens, blueish, grey or white patches on the cornea, brown or black spots in the iris, light sensitivity, bloodshot eyes and redness of the tissues surrounding the eye, and in the most severe cases, blindness!

Diagnosis is usually quick and simple, using handheld light devices to inspect the cornea, and sometimes using the same dye used to diagnose ulcers, as these can form as a result of the condition. The same handheld device used to diagnose Glaucoma may be used to measure pressure within the eye, and a Schirmer Tear Test may be carried out to understand the individual’s tear production capabilities.

Corneal Dystrophy can be a secondary health concern to larger issues including thyroid problems and high cholesterol, so tests for such illnesses may also be performed to rule out something more sinister that could need treatment.

When it comes to treatment of this condition, management is key. As it is hereditary, it is not preventable, nor curable, so constant monitoring is recommended. Severe cases may require surgery during which the veterinarian will either remove some deposits from the affected areas, or perform a corneal graft with healthy donor tissues. As part of a long term management programme, you may be prescribed eye drops to lubricate the eye and reduce the risk of ulcerations.

This is one of the few eye conditions where diet is though to play a large role in some cases, namely those suffering with the Stromal variation of the disease. In these cases, a low fat diet may be beneficial to reduce the risk of fatty deposits collecting in the corneal layers, and a properly balanced fresh food diet may help reduce the risk of mineral deposits being left too!

Findings Here
Findings Here

Progressive Retinol Atrophy

Our last eye condition to cover in this 2-part bumper blog is Progressive Retinol Atrophy (PRA). This degenerative and debilitating eye condition can affect both dogs and cats. Thankfully, this disease is not painful, however it can seriously affect the pet’s quality of life due to the gradual loss of sight. It is an inherited disease, often seen in the offspring of puppy and kitten mill parents, and is non-curable. There is no known cure for this disease!

The disease itself causes the light sensing cells within the retina (known as photoreceptors) to slowly degenerate, which eventually leads to complete sight loss. It is extra important for these pets, that their environment stays consistent as they can adapt to life in the home much easier knowing their whereabouts! It may also be beneficial as their eye sight declines, for you to leave some from of light on at all times to help them navigate their space.

The symptoms for this condition are not very obvious – you may not spot anything unusual for quite a while, often noticing your pet bumping into things as a first ‘red flag’. One physical change you may notice is that pupils may become enlarged. Some individuals also appear to have a reflective area within the eye when suffering with PRA.

Only a specialist ophthalmologist can successfully diagnose this condition, so your veterinarian will need to refer you. An electroretinography test (ERG) will be carried out, which measures the electrical response from the retina to a light stimulus. In some cases, especially in young puppies with one or more parents with PRA may also undergo genetic testing.

Breeds most prone to this disease include the Collie family, the Poodle, Labrador, Cocker Spaniel, Whippet and Miniature Schnauzer.

Findings Here
Findings Here

Natural Support for Eye Health

As the eyes are extremely sensitive and very important for quality of life, following your veterinarian’s advice is paramount, however you can also support your dog, their eye health, and overall wellness through the use of diet and nutrition. Here’s our top pointers for all round health, with a focus on eye health:

• Feed fresh: a fresh, well balanced diet will help keep mineral composition correct, which reduces the risk of some eye diseases.
• Add Omega 3: inflammation in and around the eyes is the cause of many of the conditions we have discussed in both parts 1 and 2 of this blog. Omega 3 is essential to be added into the diet as it has beneficial anti-inflammatory properties. There is a specialist omega supplement on the market which is targeted for eye health, and odten recommended to those suffering eye disease; OcuGlo^TM is available online, or from some veterinary eye specialist practices and is excellent for those suffering eye conditions, especially PRA and Corneal Dystrophy! If your pet is suffering with an eye disease, speak to your vet about this product.
• Keep eyes lubricated: in brachycephalic dogs or dogs working in the field a lot, it is essential to keep their eyes well lubricated to help protect the cornea! Using a lubricating eye drop is essential.
• Keep an eye on the eyes: include looking at your pet’s eyes as part of your routine health checks. The earlier you can catch an eye problem, the better the prognosis. Eyes deteriorate fast, so never hesitate to visit your vet if unsure or concerned!
• Vitamin E: found in nuts and seeds, Vitamin E is highly beneficial for those with eye issues, particularly those suffering with Retinol Atrophy. The therapeutic amount of Vitamin E is 600-1000mg per day!
• Vitamins A and C: these are other vitamins with benefits to the eye, and can be found in citrus fruits, leafy greens, and sweet potatoes.
• Eyebright: this herb is traditionally used to sooth irritated eyes, and reduce swelling.
• Gingko Biloba: this super herb has so many health benefits. When it comes to eye health, it is known for it’s ability to improve blood flow to the back of the eye, as well as containing lots of antioxidants which may help to slow down degeneration.
• Dandelion: this common herb is high in two of the nutrients which are important for eye health; lutein and zeaxanthin.
• Moringa: this herb is high in antioxidants and vitamins which all help to keep the eyes healthy.
• Turmeric: another herb known for it’s antioxidant properties, turmeric may help to reduce oxidative stress in the eye area, and reduce inflammation.
• Fennel: some sources suggest fennel may aid recovery from Cataracts and Glaucoma.

Findings Here
  Findings Here
Findings Here

In conclusion to this 2-part bumper blog on eye health, eyes are fragile, and deteriorate quickly, so always seek professional veterinary help at the first sign of an issue. Chat to your veterinarian about adding some of the aforementioned herbs into your pet’s regime, and keep monitoring those eyes for even the smallest of changes!



Team MPN x