Your pet’s eyes are delicate, and even minor changes can sometimes indicate a more serious problem. While some eye conditions are mild and easily treated, others can progress rapidly and may threaten vision if left untreated. Because many eye diseases cause similar signs, a veterinary examination is often needed to determine the underlying cause.
At Pet Wellness Veterinary Center, we encourage pet owners to seek prompt evaluation whenever they notice changes involving the eyes. Early diagnosis and treatment often lead to the best outcomes and help preserve your pet’s comfort and vision.
Signs Your Pet May Have an Eye Problem
Contact a veterinarian if you notice squinting or keeping an eye closed, excessive tearing, redness of the eye or surrounding tissues, yellow/green discharge, pawing at the eye, cloudiness, sensitivity to light, or a bulging eye. Because many eye conditions look alike, it’s important not to assume the cause without an examination.
Common Eye Conditions
- Allergy-Related Tearing: Some pets experience watery eyes due to seasonal or environmental allergies, often alongside other allergy signs like itchy skin.
- Corneal Ulcers: A scratch or injury to the clear surface of the eye. They can become serious very quickly, so prompt diagnosis is important to reduce pain.
- Dry Eye (KCS): Occurs when tear glands don’t produce enough tears, causing the eye to become irritated and susceptible to infection.
- Cataracts & Glaucoma: A cataract is a clouding of the lens, while glaucoma is a painful condition caused by increased pressure within the eye (which is a medical emergency).
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use leftover eye medication from a previous infection? No. Different eye conditions require different treatments, and using the wrong medication can delay healing or even worsen certain conditions.
- My pet’s eye suddenly became red. Can it wait until tomorrow? Because some eye diseases progress rapidly, it’s best to contact our veterinarian as soon as possible whenever you notice sudden redness, squinting, or cloudiness.
- My pet’s eyes look cloudy. Is that just old age? Not necessarily. Some age-related changes are normal, but cloudiness can also indicate cataracts or other eye conditions.