It is quite normal for a Labrador Retriever to experience eye problems. Here are some of the many eye problems that could affect your Labrador Retriever.
Eye Discharge
When you wake up, you are expecting to find something in your eyes isn't it? You will find a crusty discharge called sleepers. This discharge is a result of the eye's natural self-cleaning efforts. Presence of sleepers is natural to humans as well as to dogs. However, if the discharge is watery, discolored or bloody, then it's not normal anymore. It could be a sign of eye disease.
Eye discharge may be caused by obstruction of the tear drainage because of abnormal tear ducts or tear openings. Abnormal production of tears by the tear glands may also result to eye discharge. Other causes of eye discharge are diseases like keratitis, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, corneal ulcers, glaucoma, lens luxation, keratoconjunctivitis sicca or uveitis.
Clean the eye gently with the use of warm moist cloth. Visit your vet immediately for accurate diagnosis and proper medication.
Cataract
Certain breeds are more prone to cataract than the others though it could affect dogs of all breeds, ages and sizes. Cataract is a disease affecting the lens of the eye. In a normal eye, the lens should be clear, and opacity within a lens is an indication of cataract. The opacity can be very small and may not affect the vision or can involve more of the lens causing blurred vision. The entire lens may also become cloudy causing lost of vision.
Cataracts in dogs are usually inherited. It may develop quickly or slowly and may affect one or both eyes. A Labrador Retriever may develop cataract at the age of approximately six months. Aside from being hereditary, cataract may also be the result of trauma such as automobile accident, penetration of a thorn, shotgun pellet or other objects that could damage the lens. Diabetes mellitus can also cause the development of cataract.
Treatment of cataract usually consist of surgery. But as much as possible, diabetic animals, aggressive animals or animals in poor health condition should not undergo surgery. Ask your vet for proper treatment of cataract with these dogs.
Distichiasis
Distichiasis is an eye related problem in which there is growth of extra eyelashes (cilia) from the glands of either upper or lower eyelid. These eyelashes called distichia may rub on the cornea irritating the eye causing tearing, squinting, inflammation, scarring and corneal ulcers.
Other signs of distichiasis include blood vessel accumulation, pigmentation or dark coloring of the cornea and corneal ulceration. Thorough inspection of the eye is done to check the presence of distichiasis. There are also other tests performed to help diagnose Distichiasis- the Schirmer tear test to check tear production of the eyes and the Fluorescein staining of the cornea to detect any corneal abrasions or ulcers.
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