Overview of Dog Glaucoma

Dog glaucoma is a condition that inhibits your dog's ability to see correctly. It occurs due to an abnormal increase in pressure in one or both eyes. A dog may develop glaucoma due to genetic reasons, or due to an eye injury. Glaucoma is a serious threat to your dog, and if left untreated will lead to blindness.

What Kind of Dogs Can Glaucoma Affect?

Glaucoma genetically occurs in certain breads that are predisposition to it. Breads that are particularly likely to develop glaucoma include Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, and Basset Hounds. However, any type of dog can develop secondary glaucoma if they suffer an eye injury.

What Can I Do to Keep my Dog from Developing Glaucoma?

If your dog is going to develop primary glaucoma (also known as genetic glaucoma), there is little you can do to prevent it. However, when symptoms begin to develop, you can get it treated right away, resulting in less damage to your dog's eyes. Secondary glaucoma only happens as a direct result of another condition, so the best thing you can do is try to prevent those other conditions. Make sure you take your dog in for regular veterinarian checkups, and if your dog suffers an eye injury, be sure to take proper care of it. A decent amount of secondary glaucoma cases are a result of the dog not receiving the care it needs.

How Can I Treat Dog Glaucoma?

Treatment depends upon the particular cause of glaucoma, and how severe it is. Regardless of what treatment option you choose, the end result should be to decrease pressure in the eye by reducing the amount of liquid (aqueous humor) produced, and increasing the drainage. While treating glaucoma, you should also provide pain relief when possible.

There are several medications available to treat glaucoma, some of which are topical, and others are oral. In some cases, there are surgery options available as well. If you are treating secondary glaucoma, treatment of the underlying cause is vital as well.

Will my Dog go Blind?

If left untreated, glaucoma can permanently damage your dogs sight, up to and including blindness. Not only that, but some cases can be very painful for your dog. This is why it is vital you get the situation taken care of as soon as possible.

Can my Dog Die from Glaucoma?

No. It is impossible for your dog to die just from glaucoma.