Many of the diseases that humans suffer from can also be suffered by dogs. In the case of glaucoma, it has devastating effects which can cause your pet to go blind.
It's important to know about certain aspects of a disease if your pet is suffering from it, and to always follow the vet's advice. Read up on what you need to know in this AnimalWised article and find out everything about glaucoma in dogs, its causes and its treatment.
What are the causes of glaucoma in dogs?
Glaucoma is an excess of intraocular fluid in the inner parts of the eye.
The internal structures of the eye are very slowly and continually synthesizing fluids, which are subsequently drained. Glaucoma sufferers produce this liquid to such an extent that there isn't enough time to drain it, and so it gathers in excess.
This causes an important increase in intraocular pressure. The increased pressure brings about degenerative changes in the optic nerve and the retina, and can even cause blindness.
Glaucoma can be passed on genetically or secondarily, that is, it can appear as a consequence of another disease. In the latter case, both the treatment and prognosis are usually better. Glaucoma can be acute or chronic.
How is glaucoma treated in dogs?
The course of treatment will be decided after considering the dog's particular case and the evolution of the glaucoma. In any case, the course of treatment of glaucoma in dogs doesn't differ all that much from that in humans.
It's most common to apply eye drops to control the intraocular fluid. It's important to ask your vet for advice on how to apply them, and how to immobilize your pet to ensure correct application. Analgesic or anti-inflammatory treatment can also be given, since glaucoma causes significant eye pain.
If you consider it to be necessary, you can also get surgery to control this excess intraocular fluid. You can even get laser treatment, although of course this requires taking the dog to a specialist.
What can you do to help your dog?
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from eye pain, go immediately to the vet. The sooner the professional detects the problem, the sooner they'll be able to treat it and the better the prognosis is for the animal.
Does your dog suffer from glaucoma?
If your dog turns out to be suffering from glaucoma, the best thing to do is to strictly follow the advice from your vet on how to look after the unaffected eye at home, since there's a significant risk of the healthy eye also becoming affected.
Don't use a collar if your dog suffers from glaucoma, because it's been proved that their use increases intraocular pressure. Use a harness instead.
Home remedies to treat glaucoma
You should know that glaucoma can't be cured solely by using home remedies, but they can enhance the healing process:
- Spinach: Relieves symptoms and strengthens eye tissue due to the steroid content. Boil it in water and give your dog small amounts alongside their daily meals.
- Fennel: Reduces pressure on the inflamed eye if applied as eye drops. To do this, make an infusion or squeeze the juice out, and clean its eye gently.
- Blueberries: Offer your dog small amounts of seedless blueberries, since they regulate intraocular pressure and reinforce the eye's blood vessels.
- Vitamin A: This is found in carrots and improves pigmentation of the eye's retina. This is also available on the market in supplement form.
Discuss all these home remedies with your vet to help with the healing of glaucoma and follow their instructions, since an excess of fruit and vegetables can lead to diarrhea and vomiting.
This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to Glaucoma in Dogs, we recommend you visit our Hereditary diseases category.