Eye Problems in Dogs

• Third Eyelid – If your dog’s third eyelid is visible and protrudes or there is a red lump in the inner corner of the eyes, consult your vet at once.

• Entropion – the eyelid turns inward with lashes causing severe irritation to the eye. The Pointer, German Shorthaired Pointer, Clumber Spaniel, Anatolian Shepherd, Great Pyrenees, Japanese Chin, Pug and Dogue de Bordeaux are prone to Entropion.

• Ectropion – the eyelid turns outward. Both of these conditions require veterinary care. The Black and Tan Coonhound, West Highland White Terrier, Japanese Chin and Shiba Inu are prone to Ectropion.

• Glaucoma – Increased ocular pressure often due to abnormal drainage of fluid in the eye. The Flat-coated Retriever, both the English and Welsh Springer Spaniels, Basset Hound, Cairn Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Welsh Terrier, Chinese Crested Dog and Bouvier des Flandres are prone to Glaucoma.

• Cataract – The lens of the eye become opaque. Cataracts in young dogs – Juvenile cataracts – can be hereditary. Prone to cataracts are the English Cocker Spaniel, Irish Red and White Setter, Afghan Hound, Norwegian Buhund, Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, Fox Terrier (Smooth and Wire-hair), Kerry Blue Terrier, Bichon Frise and German Shepherd.

• Retinal Dysplasia – The retina develops abnormally. The Sealyham Terrier and Bedlington Terrier are prone to this.

• Lens Luxation – Displacement of the lens of the eye. Dogs prone to this are Fox Terriers, Lakeland Terriers, Welsh Terriers, Parsons Russell Terriers, Border Collies and Chinese Crested Dogs.

• PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) Diseases involving gradual deterioration of the retina. Following is a list of some dogs prone to PRA – Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Irish Setter, English Cocker Spaniel, Basenji, Akita, Portuguese Water Dog, Siberian Husky, American Staffordshire Terrier, Glen of Imaal Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Chinese Crested Dog, Italian Greyhound, Pomeranian, Poodles, Shiba Inu, American Eskimo Dog, Australian Cattle Dog, Belgian Tervuren, Border Collie, Old English Sheepdog and Shetland Sheepdog.

• Keratoconjunctivitus Sicca (Dry Eye) – Inadequate tear production which can have seveeral causes such as injury, infection or drug reaction. The Dachshund, Japanese Chin, Pekingese, Shih Tzu and Bulldog are prone to Dry Eye.

• Eye Problems can develop in the Cocker Spaniel, Saint Bernard, Siberian Husky, Maltese, Bulldog, Shar Pei and Lhasa Apso.

Please note that while these dogs are prone to a number of eye problems, it doesn’t necessarily follow that they will develop them. The lists are only to make you aware of problems that may occur.

See other dog diseases.