Taking care of pet animals is not everybody's cup of tea. It needs an all-time alertness and vigilance. Well, when you love somebody, observation and care come naturally. For canine lovers, one good general rule is to keep a close check on dog behavior, especially the appearance of his eyes. Redness, difficulty in closing or opening the eyes in dogs can be just a symptom of some other serious hidden disorder.

Common Eye Problems in Dogs

Scleritis: The inflammation of the white outer coating of the eye, called sclera, is called scleritis. It is often contracted through some other underlying disease in dogs. Either or both the eyes may get affected. The general symptom is the formation of red lumps in the eye. Scleritis should be treated well on time as the delay may result in loss of vision in dogs.

Cataract: One of the common eye problems in older dogs is cataract. It is a clouding that develops in the crystalline of the eye. However, it may develop in the eye envelope as well. The cataract obstructs the passage of light and brings partial to complete opacity. The diseases that may lead to cataract are diabetes mellitus and microbial infections. It may also occur because of poor nutrition, injuries and radiation therapy. Cataract can result in impairment of vision. Veterinarians generally conduct surgery to remove out cataract.

Corneal Ulceration: The front layer of the eye is called cornea. It may get injured due to scratching, rubbing or some other form of physical stress. This is called corneal ulceration. This particular eye problem in dogs is very painful and makes them squint their eyes.

Uveitis: Uvea is the middle layer of the mammalian eye. Inflammation of uvea is termed as uveitis. It is one of the common eye problems in dogs. The symptoms that indicate to uveitis in your furry friend are excessive flow of tears, small pupils, formation of eyelid spasms and increased sensitivity to light.

Retinal Dysplasia: The abnormality in the development of retina is known as retinal dysplasia. This occurs due to injury, toxins, viral infection and malnutrition. There is no visual symptom of this eye problem in dogs. Only ophthalmological examinations can expose this defect. Thus, a regular medical examination will be very helpful in keeping eye infection in dogs at bay.

Jaundice: Jaundice is the presence of bile in blood. It causes yellowing of skin. Since eyes also contain blood vessels, they turn yellow during jaundice. There can be several reasons behind the occurrence of jaundice. The most prominent ones are hepatitis, pancreatitis and gallstones. Such an eye problem in dogs usually goes away with the treatment of jaundice.

Distichiasis: One of the rarest eye problems in dogs is distichiasis. It is the abnormal growth of lashes from the orifices of meibomian gland that is present on the posterior side of the tarsal plate. It often occurs when two eyelashes grow from a single follicle. Distichiasis causes intense irritation of the eyes.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a condition in which the pressure in the eyes increases due to an obstruction that hinders the outward flow of fluid from the eye. This disease is symptomized by enlarged and cloudy pupils and redness of the eyes. If you notice such symptoms in your pet dog, you should take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Entropion: The condition in which the eyelids fold inward is medically termed as entropion. The eyelashes rub against the eyeball continuously. It makes the condition highly uncomfortable. It has been reported in many dog breeds, however, it is one of the common eye problems in boxer dogs.

In each of the above mentioned eye problems in dogs, veterinary help is a must. Still, there is something that you can do to help your canine friend in fighting and preventing various eye diseases. Add green leafy vegetables, carrots, parsley, sunflower seeds, dark-colored fruits and sesame seeds in your dog's diet. This will prove to be of great significance in dog care in the long run.