Complete Information Regarding the Pug Dog
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Pug Dog Eye Care / Common Canine Eye Health Problems
Overview
When you have a Pug dog, you need to keep a close eye on your dog's eyes! Because of the shape of the Pug dog breed, the eyes of this dog are prone to infections and other health issues.
Let's discuss the most prominent eye problems with Pug dogs and how to provide Pug eye care.
The eyes of a Pug dog are very sensitive
Film on a Pug's Eyes
Seeing a film on your Pug's eyes can be very worrisome. This is commonly referred to as "Cherry Eye". Many animals have a secondary eyelid. On some animals this eyelid is very apparent. Dogs also have a 2nd eyelid, however it is usually not noticeable to humans, unless the outer eyelid is lifted up.
When a dog appears to have a film over his eyes, this is usually caused by the secondary eyelid sliding down over the eye and now in sight. In essence, this eye membrane migrates over to a visible area. It is normal for this to happen every now and then. However, if this happens quite often or if this happens and remains, it is vital to have your Pug looked at by the veterinarian. This will be a symptom of an underlaying health issue.
What is the Treatment?
Some time ago, veterinarians would remove the 2nd eyelid gland. In current times, surgery can usually be performed to correct this without having to remove it. In rare cases of removal, a Pug dog will need daily eye drops for the rest of his life. Success rates are very high for treatment of this health issue; over 80% of dogs recover perfectly.
Inflammation of the Eye
The Pug dog is very prone to irritation or inflammation to their eyes because of the way in which the eyes of this breed are set to protrude from the face of the dog. Veterinarians will refer to this as Uveitis. It can happen because of:
The symptoms are:
Seeing a film on your Pug's eyes can be very worrisome. This is commonly referred to as "Cherry Eye". Many animals have a secondary eyelid. On some animals this eyelid is very apparent. Dogs also have a 2nd eyelid, however it is usually not noticeable to humans, unless the outer eyelid is lifted up.
When a dog appears to have a film over his eyes, this is usually caused by the secondary eyelid sliding down over the eye and now in sight. In essence, this eye membrane migrates over to a visible area. It is normal for this to happen every now and then. However, if this happens quite often or if this happens and remains, it is vital to have your Pug looked at by the veterinarian. This will be a symptom of an underlaying health issue.
What is the Treatment?
Some time ago, veterinarians would remove the 2nd eyelid gland. In current times, surgery can usually be performed to correct this without having to remove it. In rare cases of removal, a Pug dog will need daily eye drops for the rest of his life. Success rates are very high for treatment of this health issue; over 80% of dogs recover perfectly.
Inflammation of the Eye
The Pug dog is very prone to irritation or inflammation to their eyes because of the way in which the eyes of this breed are set to protrude from the face of the dog. Veterinarians will refer to this as Uveitis. It can happen because of:
- Elements that go onto the Pug dog's eye/s
- Disease
The symptoms are:
- Excessive blinking/ squinting
- Excessive water discharge/ tearing
- Sensitivity to bright lights
- The eye color may begin to appear "dull" or even bluish in color
- Redness may occur
- The eye may become swollen
How is this Diagnosed?
The veterinarian will examine the Pug dog's eye with an instrument that allows him to see the interior of the eyeball. Blood tests may need to be perform if the cause is not apparent.
What is the Treatment?
Anti-inflammatory medication will be given if the eye is swollen. Antibiotics will be given is there is an infection or reason to believe an infection may develop. Eye drops may be given to help with pain. If a disease such as Lyme disease, brucellosis or other is deemed the cause, treatment will vary according to the health issue. Only in very rare and serious cases will a Pug dog's eye need to be removed.
Dry Eye
Known officially as Keratoconjunctivitis sicca , dry eye can be quite common with the Pug dog. There is a natural film that protects a Pug dog's eyes. If that clear film gets a tear or rip in it, the cornea of the dog's eye will no longer be protected. This film can also slowly deteriorate from undernourishment. This health issue with a casual name can actually be very painful for a Pug dog. The eye will become so dry that it stings terribly and if not treated will interfere with the Pug dog's eyesight.
What are the symptoms?
If you notice any odd symptoms in your Pug dog's eyes, it is best to bring your dog to his or her veterinarian as soon as possible. With the Pug so prone to eye health issues, it is best to begin treatment for any issue right away.
The veterinarian will examine the Pug dog's eye with an instrument that allows him to see the interior of the eyeball. Blood tests may need to be perform if the cause is not apparent.
What is the Treatment?
Anti-inflammatory medication will be given if the eye is swollen. Antibiotics will be given is there is an infection or reason to believe an infection may develop. Eye drops may be given to help with pain. If a disease such as Lyme disease, brucellosis or other is deemed the cause, treatment will vary according to the health issue. Only in very rare and serious cases will a Pug dog's eye need to be removed.
Dry Eye
Known officially as Keratoconjunctivitis sicca , dry eye can be quite common with the Pug dog. There is a natural film that protects a Pug dog's eyes. If that clear film gets a tear or rip in it, the cornea of the dog's eye will no longer be protected. This film can also slowly deteriorate from undernourishment. This health issue with a casual name can actually be very painful for a Pug dog. The eye will become so dry that it stings terribly and if not treated will interfere with the Pug dog's eyesight.
What are the symptoms?
- This is also sometimes referred to as "Brown eye", as the eye may develop a brown tinted film
- Scar tissue may appear on the dog's eye
- Blood vessels may grow rapidly throughout the dog's eye
- An injury to the eye that tears the film
- Not receiving enough nourishment
- Hypothyroidism
- Infections
- Side effect from medication
What is the Treatment?
The treatment for dry eye for Pug dogs is a 3 part process. The dog will be given eye drops for extra lubrication to the eye, medicine will be given for swelling and infection and medication will be given to stimulate natural tears. In rare cases, surgery must be done to fix the tear duct if damaged.
Corneal Ulcers
To Summarize The treatment for dry eye for Pug dogs is a 3 part process. The dog will be given eye drops for extra lubrication to the eye, medicine will be given for swelling and infection and medication will be given to stimulate natural tears. In rare cases, surgery must be done to fix the tear duct if damaged.
Corneal Ulcers
The cornea is the clear, shiny membrane, which makes up the surface of the dog’s eyeball. The cornea is made of 3 layers: The epithelium, the stroma, and the deepest layer is Descemet's membrane. When these layers wear down, this is called a corneal ulcer or a corneal abrasion.
A corneal ulcer is erosion through the entire epithelium and into the stroma. If the erosion goes through the epithelium and stroma to the level of Descemet's membrane (the deepest layer), it is called descemetocele.
If Descemet's membrane ruptures, the liquid inside the eyeball leaks out and the eye actually collapses.
Why does this Happen?
There are several causes for corneal ulcers in dogs. The most common is trauma. An ulcer may result from an injury, for example if a Pug dog rubs his eye too harshly on something or a foreign object scratches the eye.
The second most common cause is chemical burn of the dog's cornea. This may happen when irritating shampoo gets into the Pug’s eye. For this reason, it is strongly suggested to only use hypoallergenic dog shampoo (never use human shampoo) and to be as careful as possible that any shampoo or conditioner does not enter into the Pug dog's eyes.
Other, rarer, reasons are bacterial infections, viral infections, and other diseases. These may begin in the dog’s eye or develop elsewhere and then affect the eye
Some diseases that may have a link to this include Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (a drying of the cornea that happens when there is an abnormal tear formation), and diseases of the endocrine system (diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, and hypothyroidism).
What are the Symptoms?
How is this Diagnosed?
Mild, superficial corneal abrasions are usually not visible to the human eye. However, a veterinarian will be able to spot this using a luorescein stain. The vet usually numbs the dog's eye first and then puts a drop of this stain on the dog's cornea. The dye will stick to an area of ulceration and then it s easily seen using a special black light called a Wood's light. This is the most basic test performed and may be the only test needed if the ulcer is mild and is acute (meaning it will heal on its own).
If the ulcerated area is severe or chronic (meaning it is continual and does not heal on its own), samples are taken to study, before applying the stain or any other medication.
What is the Treatment?
Treatment depends on whether there is a corneal abrasion, corneal ulcer, or descemetocele.
Corneal abrasions generally heal on their own in 3-5 days. Medication is used to prevent bacterial infections. This medication will be antibiotic ophthalmic drops or ointment. To help a dog with the pain, a pain reliving medication such as atropine ophthalmic drops or ointment will be given.
Antibiotic drops must be applied 5 to 6 times per day. The ointment requires application every few hours.
Atropine, the mediation for the pain, is usually given 2 times per day. This medication can make a dog very sensitive to bright lights. It is suggested to keep lights dim and to not go outside into the bright sunlight while being treated.
If a dog has a corneal ulcer or descemetocele, steps are taken to protect the eye and to help with the healing. In these severe cases, surgery is performed to close the eyelids and cover the ulcer or descemetocele. This ensures that the eye will be properly protected. If both eyes are affected, one eye may be closed in this way for several days, and then the other eye will be done, so that the dog may see from at least 1 eye at a time.
When an ulcers is not healing as it should, there can be a buildup of dead cells on the rim of the ulcer. These dead cells stop normal cells from the corneal surface from moving over the ulcer's edge and filling in the tear.
If this happens, the dead cells are removed from the edges of the ulcer before the eyelids are surgically closed. In some cases, removing the dead cells may be all that is needed to start the healing process, so surgical closing of the eyelids may not need to be done.
A checkup should be done about 7 days after this treatment, with the stain test, to see if the dog’s corneal ulcer has healed.
Abrasion VS Corneal Ulcer
Sometimes, a dog will be diagnosed with a simple abrasion that is in fact, an ulcer. After 2-3 days of treatment, your dog should be reexamined to be sure that healing is progressing as it should. If not, this may mean that the dog has a more serious ulcer and treatment should begin for that.
A corneal ulcer is erosion through the entire epithelium and into the stroma. If the erosion goes through the epithelium and stroma to the level of Descemet's membrane (the deepest layer), it is called descemetocele.
If Descemet's membrane ruptures, the liquid inside the eyeball leaks out and the eye actually collapses.
Why does this Happen?
There are several causes for corneal ulcers in dogs. The most common is trauma. An ulcer may result from an injury, for example if a Pug dog rubs his eye too harshly on something or a foreign object scratches the eye.
The second most common cause is chemical burn of the dog's cornea. This may happen when irritating shampoo gets into the Pug’s eye. For this reason, it is strongly suggested to only use hypoallergenic dog shampoo (never use human shampoo) and to be as careful as possible that any shampoo or conditioner does not enter into the Pug dog's eyes.
Other, rarer, reasons are bacterial infections, viral infections, and other diseases. These may begin in the dog’s eye or develop elsewhere and then affect the eye
Some diseases that may have a link to this include Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (a drying of the cornea that happens when there is an abnormal tear formation), and diseases of the endocrine system (diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, and hypothyroidism).
What are the Symptoms?
- A corneal ulcer is very painful for a dog. In reaction to pain, most dogs rub the affected eye with their paw or will try to rub it against surfaces, just as their blanket or the carpeting in an effort to find relief.
- A dog may try to protect their eye, by keeping their eyes closed.
- In some cases, there will be a discharge that puddles in the corner of the dog’s eye. It may stay there for a while and then eventually run down the dog’ face.
- To protect the eye, they keep the lids tightly closed. Occasionally, there will be a discharge that collects in the corner of the eye or runs down the face.
How is this Diagnosed?
Mild, superficial corneal abrasions are usually not visible to the human eye. However, a veterinarian will be able to spot this using a luorescein stain. The vet usually numbs the dog's eye first and then puts a drop of this stain on the dog's cornea. The dye will stick to an area of ulceration and then it s easily seen using a special black light called a Wood's light. This is the most basic test performed and may be the only test needed if the ulcer is mild and is acute (meaning it will heal on its own).
If the ulcerated area is severe or chronic (meaning it is continual and does not heal on its own), samples are taken to study, before applying the stain or any other medication.
What is the Treatment?
Treatment depends on whether there is a corneal abrasion, corneal ulcer, or descemetocele.
Corneal abrasions generally heal on their own in 3-5 days. Medication is used to prevent bacterial infections. This medication will be antibiotic ophthalmic drops or ointment. To help a dog with the pain, a pain reliving medication such as atropine ophthalmic drops or ointment will be given.
Antibiotic drops must be applied 5 to 6 times per day. The ointment requires application every few hours.
Atropine, the mediation for the pain, is usually given 2 times per day. This medication can make a dog very sensitive to bright lights. It is suggested to keep lights dim and to not go outside into the bright sunlight while being treated.
If a dog has a corneal ulcer or descemetocele, steps are taken to protect the eye and to help with the healing. In these severe cases, surgery is performed to close the eyelids and cover the ulcer or descemetocele. This ensures that the eye will be properly protected. If both eyes are affected, one eye may be closed in this way for several days, and then the other eye will be done, so that the dog may see from at least 1 eye at a time.
When an ulcers is not healing as it should, there can be a buildup of dead cells on the rim of the ulcer. These dead cells stop normal cells from the corneal surface from moving over the ulcer's edge and filling in the tear.
If this happens, the dead cells are removed from the edges of the ulcer before the eyelids are surgically closed. In some cases, removing the dead cells may be all that is needed to start the healing process, so surgical closing of the eyelids may not need to be done.
A checkup should be done about 7 days after this treatment, with the stain test, to see if the dog’s corneal ulcer has healed.
Abrasion VS Corneal Ulcer
Sometimes, a dog will be diagnosed with a simple abrasion that is in fact, an ulcer. After 2-3 days of treatment, your dog should be reexamined to be sure that healing is progressing as it should. If not, this may mean that the dog has a more serious ulcer and treatment should begin for that.
If you notice any odd symptoms in your Pug dog's eyes, it is best to bring your dog to his or her veterinarian as soon as possible. With the Pug so prone to eye health issues, it is best to begin treatment for any issue right away.
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