Why You Should Immediately Have Your Pet's Eyes Examined

Posted on: 17 September 2015

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How much thought have you given to the eye health of your dog or cat? It's not until there's an issue that many people realize their pets can have serious eye conditions. Don't wait until it's too late. Have a veterinarian or a veterinarian ophthalmologist take a look.

Why Your Cat or Dog Needs an Eye Exam

What you may not understand about your pet is that it's prone to just as many eye problems as people are. And just like in people, those problems can go unnoticed and undiagnosed for a long time. Some eye conditions in pets include the following:

  • Corneal Ulcers
  • Uveitis
  • Hyphema
  • Cataracts
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Glaucoma
  • Hypertensive Retinopathy
  • Lens Luxation

That's only a sample of the possible eye-related complications that can come up in cats or dogs. There are many more, as well as some that can only occur with certain kinds of pets.

An eye exam can find the issues that lead to these complications before they become serious issues. Conversely, an exam can reveal serious issues that went previously overlooked. It's also possible there are no issues at all, and the peace of mind from knowing that can make the vet visit worth it.

Spotting Eye Problems at Home

Even without an eye exam, your pet may start to show signs of eye problems either blatantly or gradually. Here are a few things you should look out for.

  • Discoloration—If the whites of your pet's eyes start to slowly or blatantly change
  • Discharge—When one or both eyes leak any colored fluid
  • Winking and rubbing—When your pet constantly winks, rubs, or closes its eyes

There are other signs, such as cloudiness and unequal pupil sizes. However, what's most important is that you simply pay attention. If your pet has gunk in its eyes every morning, don't assume it's normal. If your pet cannot seem to avoid running into objects, don't think it's their fault; it could be an eye problem.

Eye Exams Should Represent a Part of an Overall Care Regimen

While eye care for your pet is extremely important, it's only one aspect of your pet's care. Sometimes, an eye problem is indicative of another, larger problem that's affecting your pet. That's why it's important to take your pet in for routine exams.

A veterinarian can help catch issues before they get out of hand, but the vet can also refer you to a specialist. A specialist at a veterinarian hospital will have the training and tools to deal with any eye problem that may require something more than medication. Contact a facility like the Metzger Animal Hospital for further information and help.