Always look out for four things in your dog to prevent health issues | UK | News
A vet has issued an urgent warning to dog owners to look out for four critical signs that could indicate something is seriously wrong with their beloved pooch, warning that failure to act could have devastating consequences.
As pet owners, it is very important to keep our furry friends happy and healthy. But this responsibility means constantly monitoring your dog for any unusual symptoms, especially since they may not be able to communicate their discomfort to us directly.
Eye problems are among the most common ailments that dogs can experience throughout their lives. Fortunately, there are some clear signs that make it much easier to spot these problems early.
UK-based veterinarian Cat, who has more than 323,300 followers on TikTok, shared four warning signs that every dog owner should look out for, explaining that early diagnosis can be crucial in preserving your pet’s eyesight.
“There are four signs you should never ignore when it comes to your dog’s eyes,” he warned at the beginning of the video.
1. Don’t blink or squint.
Cat emphasized that owners should be concerned if their dogs start squinting or blinking.
“This could be anything from simple conjunctivitis to something getting stuck in their eyes to them having trouble controlling how much light gets into their eyes,” he explained.
She added: “So if your dog starts blinking at you, they need to go to your vet.”
2. Red or bloodshot eyes
While it may be a minor irritation, it can also be a sign of a much more serious condition such as glaucoma or internal inflammation of the eyeball.
Glaucoma in dogs is a painful condition caused by increased pressure within the eye due to improper fluid drainage, which can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness if not treated quickly.
Symptoms include eye pain (squinting, eye scratching), redness, blurry or bluish eye, and a widened or bulging appearance.
3. Unusual discharge
“The third is any unusual discharge,” Cat said, explaining that this can mean anything from excessive tear production to sticky, mucusy or crusty discharge around the eyes.
He said this could be a few things because it all depends on the type of discharge around the eyes.
It can be anything from a simple irritation to corneal ulcers that can get really serious, or even dry eye conditions where the eye no longer produces enough natural lubrication.
4. Cloudy or bluish haze in the eyes
As a fourth point, he told dog owners to watch for any cloudiness or blue haze when you look into their dog’s eyes.
“This could be a normal aging change for dogs, but it could also potentially be something much more serious and sight-threatening like cataracts or glaucoma,” Cat explained.
He said the only way to find out what it is is to take your dog to the vet for a checkup.
