Your dog must be getting older. His eyes have a milky, cloudy appearance, so you might assume that he has cataracts, right? But, cataracts do not cause pain, so why is Rover whining and pawing at his eye?

Eye diseases in dogs or cats can prove tricky to diagnose except by a veterinarian or emergency vet clinic. Common eye diseases include glaucoma, cataracts, keratitis, uveitis, tumors and problems with the pet’s “third eyelid” or nictitating membrane. Here are some symptoms to watch for.

Detecting Common Eye Diseases 

Sometimes, pain announces the presence of an eye problem. Your pet may express eye pain by crying, pawing, squinting or avoiding bright light. Red, irritated and teary eyes often indicate the presence of an irritant or infection. A clear or mucous-like discharge also signals infection requiring treatment at an animal hospital or emergency vet clinic.

Changes in eye color can point to infection or other disease as well. Cloudy eyes may be housing cataracts, a common condition in animals and humans alike. If your pet also seems to experience pain from this condition, however, fluid may have built up in the cornea, a condition called corneal edema. Glaucoma or keratitis can also cause cloudiness.

An eye that bulges unnaturally may indicate a tumor or glaucoma while a sunken eye can be caused by tetanus, dehydration or weight loss. But odd-looking eyes do not necessarily sound the alarm for eye issues. Some breeds, such as pugs and French bulldogs, have naturally bulging eyes. Look for deviations from the normal eye shape or position.

If you have a pet emergency involving your pet's eyes, come to AnimERge veterinary clinic in Raritan. Our 24-hour pet clinic will evaluate your pet’s eye and refer you to our board certified ophthalmologists, if needed, who can relieve pain, treat the ailment, prescribe medication and tell you how to nurse your pet back to health in the days to come.

Has your pet recently been treated for an eye issue or ocular disease? What were the symptoms that you  noticed?