Glaucoma is an eye disease that can affect dogs inherited or as a result of another pathology. It is considered very serious because in a significant percentage of cases it ends in blindness. In this article on our site we are going to explain what this condition consists of and what symptoms you should pay attention to in order to go to the vet as soon as possible, since it is considered an emergency. We will also talk about the treatment for glaucoma in dogs, as there are several options.
What is glaucoma in dogs?
To understand what canine glaucoma is, the first thing to do is handle some data about how the eye works. Thus, in the eye there is a continuous and slow exchange of liquids, known as humors, between the chambers that make up the ocular structure and the blood circulation. This maintains internal balance. The ciliary body, which is a structure made up of muscle, connective tissue and blood vessels, is responsible for secreting the aqueous humor, which is the liquid that fills the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye and helps it maintain its position. But when for some reason more aqueous humor is produced than can exit the eye, the result is glaucoma.
Then, we can define glaucoma as the increased intraocular pressure (IOP). This increase causes degenerative changes both in the optic nerve, which sends the electrical impulses captured in the eye to the brain, and in the retina, which is the layer of photoreceptor cells that convert the light that reaches the eye into electrical impulses.
Causes of glaucoma in dogs
As we will see in the next section, basically two types of glaucoma are distinguished according to the causes that have originated it. These are the main causes:
- Genetic or anatomical alterations that affect the circulation of the aqueous humor. It is primary glaucoma.
- Others eye pathologies can lead to glaucoma, such as uveitis or lens displacement.
- Traumatisms, that is, it is glaucoma in dogs due to a strong blow to the eye area.
Types of glaucoma in dogs
One of the classifications of glaucoma in dogs distinguishes between primary or secondary depending on its origin. These are the main characteristics of both types:
- Primary glaucoma: it is the most common in dogs. In this case, glaucoma appears as hereditary disease That is why it is known to be more common in certain breeds, such as the beagle, the M altese bichon, the French bulldog, the cocker spaniel, the basset hound, the shiba inu, the shih tzu or the samoyed, among others. Unfortunately, in about half of affected dogs, the he althy eye will also develop glaucoma within about two years. Specimens with a hereditary predisposition to glaucoma are recommended annual eye exams to detect any increase in intraocular pressure early.
- Secondary glaucoma: receives this name because glaucoma appears as a secondary complication of another ocular pathology or trauma.
Symptoms of glaucoma in dogs
The first warning sign that can make us suspect that our dog is suffering from glaucoma is intense pain But there are other symptoms to keep in mind Keep in mind, that they will be different depending on whether we are facing an acute process or, on the other hand, the glaucoma is already in a chronic stage. These are the characteristics of each presentation:
- Acute glaucoma: pain, tearing, redness, strabismus, sensation of hardness to the touch, staring, whitish coloration and enlarged pupil. Depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, or changes in behavior are other signs of glaucoma in dogs to watch out for.
- Chronic glaucoma: enlargement and protrusion of the eyeball, that is, it seems that it is going to come out of the orbit, it may be more noticeable harder than he althy people and, almost always, they are already blind.
Any of these symptoms should make us immediately go to the vet This professional, by examining the eye and measuring the intraocular pressure, can diagnose the glaucoma. Other more specific tests are ocular ultrasound or gonioscopy. Remember that this is an emergency that, if not attended to in time, can cause blindness in just a few hours.
How to cure glaucoma in dogs - Treatment
At this point you will surely ask yourself a question: Is there a cure for glaucoma in dogs? We can say thatit's controllable , but only if we start treating it early and follow the vet's guidelines. If we go to the clinic when the eye is already in the chronic stage, it is very likely that it is blind and, therefore, unrecoverable. Therefore, we insist, if your dog's eye hurts, call the vet immediately.
As soon as glaucoma has been identified, treatment must be started. In cases of secondary glaucoma, the primary cause must be treated. Normally, medication is used initially to lower intraocular pressure as soon as possible. But, if the drugs do not have the desired effect, it will be necessary to assess the surgical intervention So, how to treat glaucoma in dogs? We explain it in more detail:
Medications for glaucoma in dogs
Drugs, such as mannitol, which act by removing excess aqueous humor, can be used. Others, such as carbonic anihydrase inhibitors, block the production of this fluid. Remember that drops for glaucoma in dogs, that is, eye drops, can only be prescribed by the veterinarian. Treatment and follow-up are usually lifelong. Dogs with a predisposition to primary glaucoma in which increased intraocular pressure is detected can be given prophylactic treatment to prevent glaucoma from developing.
Glaucoma surgery in dogs
When pharmacological treatment does not work, the veterinarian may choose different surgical techniques. Keep in mind that they should always be performed by a professional specialized in ophthalmology, as experience and specific instruments are needed. One option is cryosurgery to freeze and destroy a part of the ciliary body. In this way, the production of aqueous humor is decreased. The laser for glaucoma in dogs is another option to perform this same procedure. There are also techniques that are aimed at favoring the elimination of aqueous humor. One example is gonioimplants.
In cases where there is already blindness there is another problem, as the eye will be prone to disorders such as corneal injuries and will continue to cause pain. The solution is to remove it. It is an unpleasant operation for us, but the loss of an eye does not affect the dog's normal life. Also, if he worries us aesthetically, an ocular prosthesis could be implanted. Lastly, dogs that have suffered from glaucoma are considered to be at risk for glaucoma in the he althy eye. That is why it is recommended to measure their intraocular pressure every four months
Home remedies for glaucoma in dogs, do they exist?
Unfortunately, there is no scientifically proven home treatment for glaucoma in dogs. Therefore, the only treatments that truly offer positive results are those mentioned in the previous section, that is, drugs and surgery. For all these reasons, we insist again, if you observe symptoms of glaucoma in your dog, go to the veterinary clinic as soon as possible so that they can make the diagnosis, establish the cause and start the most convenient treatment.
