Making eye contact with your dog has tremendous health benefits for both of you and, in some cases, can even save your dog's life. The Benefits of Owning a Dog Most dog lovers will tell you that life is better with a dog. But did you know that there's actually scientific evidence to back that up? Research shows that owning a dog is good for your health, both emotionally and physically. How? Well... Dogs make us feel less alone. They're there for you when other humans can't be and they offer unconditional love and emotional support. A national survey of both pet owners and non-pet owners showed that 85% of respondents believe that interaction with pets reduces loneliness. Dogs are good for your heart. Studies show that dog owners have lower blood pressure levels and improved stress responses. I'm absolutely certain that no Weimaraner/Vizsla owners were included in any of these studies. Dogs help with social interaction. They provide a common bond between people and can help foster relationships with other dog owners. I can attest to this because one of my best friends is another Frenchie owner that I met in an online forum for the breed. While we've never actually met in person because she lives on the other side of the country, we talk almost every day and I'd do just about anything for her. All because of dogs! Dogs make us happier. Making eye contact with your dog triggers the release of the hormone oxytocin, which is responsible for love and bonding. One study found that dogs experience a 130% increase in oxytocin levels after an eye tracking session, while humans can experience a 300% increase! Just one more reason to choose dogs over cats. Ha! I'm kidding. Sort of. Speaking of Eye Contact... A few months ago, the online friend I mentioned above messaged me to say that she noticed something was going on with her Frenchie's eye.
Eight Common Eye Problems in Dogs Eye issues make up a huge portion of insurance claims submitted by pet owners every year. Some problems are relatively minor and inexpensive to treat, but others can be severe and costly. Here are some of the most common issues to be on the lookout for: 1. Cataracts. The eyes of humans and dogs both change with age. The clear lens in front of the eye can turn cloudy and you might notice that you and your dog are struggling to see in low light. If you look at your dog's eye and see a white film in the center of the pupil, it's time to call your vet. Cataracts aren't painful, but the lack of vision can cause your pal to bump into sharp objects, leading to cuts, scratches, or other injuries. 2. Cherry Eye. Your dog's tear ducts should stay below their lids where you can't see them. However, some dogs develop an unusual structure to their ducts where the gland pops up and becomes visible. You've maybe seen a dog with pink tissue in the corner of their eye. Breeds most affected include Cocker Spaniels, English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Beagles, Bloodhounds, Lhasa Apsos, Shih Tzus, Boxers, and Pugs. Please tell me again why I have the breeds I do. Sigh. In any case, a dog with this condition will frequently squint and scratch at the tissue, making the eye red and uncomfortable for them. Fortunately, this condition can be fixed with surgery. 3. Corneal Ulcers. Unfortunately, it's all too easy for a dog to scrape or scratch its eye as it runs, jumps, and plays. Sometimes play sessions get a little too rough and an eye can catch a claw or tooth. If the scratch gets infected, an ulcer can develop. Corneal ulcers are painful, and most dogs will squint or keep their eye closed if one is developing. You might even notice some watery discharge coming from the eye. If your dog pulls away from you as you try to examine its eye, call the vet for a professional look. It's important to catch an ulcer early, before much more serious medical treatment is required. 4. Conjunctivitis. The fancy term for what we humans know as the dreaded "pink eye." It's called this because the white of the eye will take on a pink or red color. Blinking helps to coat your dog's eye with tears. That fluid should wash away bacteria and other irritating agents, but sometimes a dog will develop an irritation or infection in the membrane that covers the front of the eye and eyelids, and you'll notice itching and redness. Fortunately, the infection generally clears up quickly with some antibiotic drops. Conjunctivitis caused by an injury or allergy is not contagious, but a case that's the result of a virus or bacterial infection has the potential to be transmitted from one dog to another. 5. Dry Eye. Again, just like with humans, there are some dogs that don't produce enough tears to lubricate their eyes. Sometimes, a dog will have an eyelid abnormality that prevents them from blinking properly. And then, in some cases, a dog will just have eyes that protrude to the point where their eyelids don't cover the entire eye. Any of these issues could lead to dry eye. Dogs with dry eye might scratch them or rub their eyes on the carpet or furniture in an attempt to get some relief. Minor cases can be treated through the use of lubricating drops, but more serious cases can require surgery to correct anatomical issues. 6. Entropion. Eyelashes aren't just there for batting purposes—they serve to keep foreign objects out of the eye. But sometimes dogs develop eyelids that curl inward, which puts those lashes in direct contact with their eyes. Each blink can be extremely uncomfortable and the scraping motion can cause permanent damage to the eye. This condition requires surgical remediation. The doctor will remove any ingrown hairs and will then correct the length and placement of the eyelids to make sure that blinking no longer causes any pain. 7. Foreign Bodies. Dogs are lovable ding-dongs that will get into anything if the opportunity presents itself. Unfortunately, this curiosity can lead to them getting a foreign object stuck in their eye. Some objects can be relatively benign (think leaves, grass, dirt, or sand) but others can be far more serious (think metal and glass). If your dog is squinting, digging at its eye, or has eyes that are extremely and unusually watery, get them in a room with good light and take a look to see if there's a foreign object causing the problem. If the item is large enough, you might be able to remove it or rinse it out with some ophthalmic saline solution. But know that you may need to seek emergency medical care if the object is too large or can't be removed by you. 8. Glaucoma. This condition develops when fluid builds up inside the eye. Some breeds like Cocker Spaniels, Chows, and Basset Hounds are more prone to it, but any dog can develop it. The condition is extremely painful and can be devastating to your dog's vision. Symptoms include squinting, excessive tearing, and swelling. If you notice any of these signs, call your vet immediately. Drops and timely surgery can reduce the risk of complete blindness. Wow. That's A Lot To Digest. It is, but if you pay attention and take your dog to see the vet on a regular basis for checkups, your pup will probably live and long and healthy life with healthy eyes to boot. In part three of our series on canine eye care, we'll take a look at some easy ways to prevent eye problems from developing. Once again, a very special thank you to Josuee, the National Outreach Specialist from NVISION, who inspired this series, and who provided some helpful resource information. You can find it on our Resources page or by visiting this link. Until next time, WOOF! Associated song: Doctor My Eyes by Jackson Browne
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