Dog Glaucoma - Causes, Signs & Treatment

Glaucoma is a very painful eye condition caused by pressure within your dog's eye. Today's blog post delves into the causes of glaucoma in dogs, treatment options and surgery. 

Glaucoma & Your Dog's Eyes

Glaucoma is a painful condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure within the eye, caused by inadequate fluid drainage. Glaucoma can progress very quickly and often leads to optical nerve and retinal damage in dogs. It is estimated that 40% of dogs will be left blind in the eye affected by glaucoma.

Glaucoma in dogs is caused by insufficient drainage of fluid from the eye. There are two types of glaucoma, each defined by the cause of the condition; primary glaucoma and secondary glaucoma.

Causes of Primary Glaucoma in Dogs

Primary glaucoma occurs in dogs due to inherited abnormalities in the drainage mechanism of the pet's eye. A number of breeds show an increased risk of primary glaucoma including (but not limited to) Boston terriers, cocker spaniels, shar-peis, beagles, basset hounds, Siberian huskies, Labrador retrievers, samoyed, toy poodles, and Great Danes. Each breed has its unique traits that make dogs of that breed more susceptible to developing glaucoma.

Primary glaucoma rarely affects both eyes equally or at the same time. The condition typically occurs in one eye months or even years before it affects the second eye.

Cause of Secondary Glaucoma in Dogs

Secondary glaucoma occurs as a result of an injury to the eye or disease. The most common causes include damage to the lens of the eye, inflammation of the interior of the eye, severe intraocular infections, anterior dislocation of the lens (blockage caused by the lens falling forward in the eye), tumors, and intraocular bleeding. 

Signs That Your Dog May Be Suffering From Glaucoma

Dogs suffering from either primary or secondary glaucoma may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

Chronic glaucoma can take some time to develop and begin causing symptoms, but acute glaucoma occurs very suddenly. If your dog is showing any of the symptoms listed above, contact your vet immediately or visit the nearest emergency veterinary hospital for urgent care. Early diagnosis and treatment are your dog's best bet for good treatment outcomes.

Diagnosing Glaucoma in Dogs

Your veterinarian will measure the pressure within your dog's eye using a tonometer.  If your dog is experiencing blindness due to glaucoma, a veterinary ophthalmologist may use electroretinography to determine whether surgery can help restore vision to the eye.

Dog Glaucoma Treatment

If your dog is diagnosed with glaucoma, your vet will prescribe drugs to help reduce pressure within the eye as quickly as possible. Reducing the pressure quickly may help to prevent permanent blindness in some dogs.

Typically, painkillers are also prescribed to help your dog feel more comfortable.

Dog glaucoma medications may be prescribed to promote drainage and decrease fluid production to help reduce intraocular pressure.

In many cases, surgery will also be an essential part of the treatment for advanced cases of glaucoma. If your dog has permanently lost their vision your vet may recommend surgery to remove the eye to relieve pain.

Regular eye examinations will be an essential part of your pet's ongoing care and treatment for glaucoma. Regular appointments allow your vet to monitor symptoms and keep the condition under control over the long term.

Dog Glaucoma Surgery Cost

Veterinarians understand that cost can be a real concern for pet parents. The cost of your dog's glaucoma surgery will be based on a number of factors, including where you live and how big your dog is. To get an accurate estimate of how much your dog's surgery will cost speak to the team at your veterinary clinic. At Newtown Veterinary Specialists, we are happy to provide pet parents with an estimate and answer questions about the pricing or the procedure.

Dog Glaucoma Home Remedies

Glaucoma is a serious and very painful condition. Never use anything on your dog's eyes without consulting a veterinarian first. If you believe that your dog is suffering from glaucoma contact your vet right away. 

Prognosis for Dogs with Glaucoma

Your dog's prognosis will depend on many factors, including how promptly the glaucoma is treated and your dog's response to medication. 

If treatment was administered late or proves ineffective, your dog may lose their vision. However, dogs with vision loss can continue to lead healthy, happy lives. 

Ongoing treatment will be needed to prevent eye pressure from increasing in the future. In some cases, a serious health issue like cancer can trigger glaucoma. If this is the case for your dog, the underlying health issue will need to be addressed. 

My dog has glaucoma. Should I put him down?

Your veterinarian understands the challenges of caring for a dog with a serious condition. Speak to your vet openly about your concerns. They will be able to present you with treatment options and let you know if euthanasia is something to be considered in your dog's specific case.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

 Could your dog benefit from the care of our veterinary eye specialist? Contact our Newtown emergency and specialty hospital today to learn more.