Dog Eye Problems and Solutions
To understand the various reasons why your dog may come down with a serious eye problem, you need to know some important information on the genetic make-up of these animals. The normal dog has eyelashes on the upper lid only. They are in three to four rows, so close together that they appear as one single row. They are directed away from the cornea.
In abnormal conditions, several eyelashes may be misplaced. These hairs are located so that they are directed toward the very sensitive cornea. The initial irritant may not be associated with these hairs, but will act as the exciting mechanism of a vicious circle.
The irritant causes the animal discomfort and produces blinking. The blinking produces increased pressure by the lids on the cornea, leading to further irritation induced by the eyelashes.
This irritation further aggravates the blinking and spasms of the muscles occur, completing the cycle. The end result is severe corneal irritation, which requires veterinarian attention.
The Goal Of Veterinarian Treatment
The object of treatment is to interrupt this vicious circle by determining and removing the initial irritant if still present. The defect that is present is treated also. The usual method used to eliminate the aberrant hairs is “electrolysis,” in which the hairs are destroyed by electronically produced heat. Our preference is to remove surgically the entire row of abnormal hairs.
Professional help is strongly recommended to treat this problem. The use of home remedies and pet store drugs may be the most devastating mistake the dog owner can make. All medications used for eye diseases should be discarded when therapy has been completed. Many medications that are used routinely are extremely toxic when ingested and therefore the well being of our children and pets should be a prime concern.
Excess Tearing
A condition of great concern to fanciers of the Poodle, Maltese, Shih Tzu and other small, light colored dogs is “epiphora”, or excess tearing. It is a problem primarily in the lighter colored dogs. However, we see it also in dark colored dogs, but it’s simply not as noticeable.
Many things may be responsible for this very distressing problem. Among them are:
- Misplaced eyelashes (as discussed above).
- The tear duct, which drains the tears from the eye, may be abnormally positioned.
- A small island of hair, which may grow from the corner of the eye next to the nose, may act as a wick and tears will then overflow.
- There may be an overproduction of tears without apparent irritation.
- There may be an abnormal position of the inner corner of the eyelids next to the nose referred to as “medical entropion”.
- There is recent evidence of a potential metabolic defect associated with porphyrin metabolism.
When one reviews all of the possible causes, it becomes apparent that there is no single treatment that can cure this condition.
Some authorities recommend low levels of oxytetracyclines in the food daily and others recommend surgical removal of the gland in the third eyelid. However, it is the opinion of many veterinarians that thorough evaluation of the entire condition is necessary in order to arrive at a definitive diagnosis and a specific treatment.
In summary, there is no therapeutic panacea for abnormal tearing and much more research is necessary to elucidate all the mechanisms predisposing to it, as well as treatments that will prove effective in the majority of cases.
Cataract Formation
Another problem facing some breeders is cataract formation. It is wise to review some of the aspects involved with this particular disease. The lens is a refractive structure within the eye. In a healthy condition, it is optically clear. It continuously grows through life, but it does so in such a way that the center becomes more compact. A normal change with age, then, is a condition called “lenticular sclerosis”.
The condition of lenticular sclerosis should not be confused with an actual cataract. It is a senile alteration of lens fibers resulting in absorption of some of the wavelengths in the visible spectrum. The dog’s vision is not changed significantly.
In contradistinction to lenticular sclerosis, a cataract is an apparent opacity within the lens that will not allow the passage of light. Many false concepts have occurred due to nomenclature. Cataracts can be classified according to types. In general, most authorities agree on the following chronological classifications:
- Congenital – born with.
- Juvenile – occurring in a young dog under five years of age.
- Senile – occurring in an older dog over five years of age.
The cause of canine cataracts – whether hereditary or acquired – may be influenced by many factors including the effects of inflammations, toxins, metabolic defects, trauma, radiation and many more.
It becomes obvious that the term juvenile cataracts only means that a young dog has cataracts and the condition could be either acquired or hereditary. Much work is necessary to elucidate the potential hereditary mechanism, which may be present. Medical therapy is of no avail and surgery is necessary if restoration of vision is to be accomplished.
Collie Eye
Collie eye is also a problem of genetic predisposition. The genetic mode of inheritance has been determined. It is a simple recessive autosomal gene. The syndrome has been “graded” unfortunately and this is one of the worst mistakes that can be made in eliminating such a disease.
We presently diagnose dogs as affected or unaffected, regardless of the variation of eye lesions present. We have demonstrated that all the lesions are related to one another and that the presence of any lesions incriminates genotypes. Because of the recessive gene, a mating of dogs with normal eyes may certainly produce affective offspring.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive retinal atrophy is a disease, which is manifested in dogs usually four years old or older. It has been reported in dogs as young as seven months. It is seen in English Setters, Springer Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, Elkhounds, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles and others. It is transmitted as a simple recessive autosomal gene.
The first clinical sign, which may be observed, is a widely dilated pupil, which becomes unresponsive to any light. The dog will soon show signs of decreased vision during twilight. The dog’s vision progressively decreases until it is completely blind. Nothing is effective in the prevention of inevitable blindness, but there is some evidence that vitamin A therapy may delay the end stage blindness; but this is controversial.
The Heroic Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard has always been a favorite breed, but never more so than it is today. Over the centuries, this great big “teddy bear” dog’s main claim to fame has been the miraculous rescuing of victims lost in the European Alps. Ever since Barry, the world’s most famous Saint Bernard, set a record for having saved over forty lives, this dog has been revered by all who appreciate the remarkable ability of these faithful working dogs. The stories of their heroism brings hundreds upon hundreds of tourists annually to the Hospice in Switzerland, the land of their origin.
Their heritage dates back to the days before Hannibal crossed the Alps with his herds of elephants and warriors. The dogs at that time were more like Mastiffs than the Saint Bernard as we know today. These Molossian dogs, which were used in the ancient wars, were often left behind in the mountains by the Carthagians and the Romans when they moved on after their battles. When they bred with the local mountain dogs a new breed appeared which eventually evolved and became a Saint Bernard.
Their rescue work is depicted in oil paintings dating back to the beginning of the 17th century and one, dated 1695, is hanging at the Hospice. The Hospice and the dogs are just as famous today as they were when the Hospice first opened its doors to the weary mountain travelers. This breath-taking spot, on top of the world, is separated from the Italian Alps by a small lake and the monastery originally built by Saint Bernard is maintained under the guidance of the Saint Bernard monks.
Destroyed by fire in 1967, the Hospice has been rebuilt and today visitors driving up the perilous narrow mountain roads arrive at a new Hospice consisting of two guest hotels, shops and most important of all, the famous kennel facilities of the legendary Saint Bernard rescue dogs.
At one time, these Chapel Kennels were the largest in Europe and while rescue work today is not so much a major part of the dogs’ lives, the monks in residence there are more than happy to tell the stories of the impressive work they have done during snow storms, blizzards and avalanches over the past hundred years. They are especially eager to tell the story of Barry, the Saint Bernard who provided the most colorful and dramatic story of all.
After dying a natural death in Berne, Switzerland, where he had been sent to live out his old age, Barry was mounted and now stands in a glass case in the Berne Museum of Natural History, so that all may view this great legendary animal. He is not as impressive as some of our Saints today, but he is unmistakably a Saint Bernard and one that fits within the standard for the breed.
Many other Saints have served well as rescue dogs, but it is the famous Barry who captured the hearts and imaginations of all who have ever heard of the Hospice of Saint Bernard and the remarkable life-saving dogs.
During one period of their development, Saints were called Barryhundes in honor of their heroic predecessor. It wasn’t until 1823 that the name Saint Bernard was heard and has applied to the breed ever since. Since then, they have also been known as, or referred to as, Holy Dogs, Alpine Mastiffs, Cloister Dogs, Mountain Dogs, Hospice Dogs, Saint Bernard-Mastiffs and Butcher Dogs. This last name was a result of the enormous amounts of meat they ate and it was said that only butchers could afford to feed them. Since the breed served the Monastery of Saint Bernard so well and because of Barry, the name Saint Bernard became the most appropriate.
A most selective breeding program was upheld to ensure that only the most hardy, rugged dogs are kept to follow in Barry’s footsteps and to maintain the quality of the rescue teams. These are the dogs which can best withstand the strenuous climbing, the extreme weather conditions and the high altitude. At 8,000 feet, even the monks are able to serve only about eight years. But while they are in residence, monks on skis, training and working with the dogs are a familiar sight to those who visit the Hospice. Tradition is being maintained.
Today, many German Shepherd dogs are also being trained to rescue and do patrol work along with the Saint Bernards, even though there is little need for rescue dogs in the Alps today. Rescue teams are now composed of helicopters, ski patrols and snow mobiles which course over or along the alpine highways and tunnels. Rescue dogs are used now only to locate missing skiers or residents who wander off too far into the mountains. Sadly, the instinct for rescue work is lost in our American Saint Bernards. Since there is little need for mountain rescue work, the instinct fades with each passing generation.
Dogs from the Saint Bernard Hospice were frequently bred to those owned by people in the valleys, from about 1670 until late in the 1800’s. To some extent this is still practiced today. It was in 1884 when a Henry Schumacher printed a first edition of a Swiss Kennel Club manual which outlined correct breeding practices. It advocated the shorthaired Saint for rescue work; as the snow often would stick to the coats of the rough or long-coated Saint Bernards and freeze, weighing them down and hampering their speed. Today both long and short-coated Saints are well received and both are used in breeding programs. Length of coat is strictly a matter of preference.
The first Saint Bernard was exported to England in 1810. His name was Lion and Lion was further immortalized by being painted by the famous artist, Sir Edwin Landseer. England imported more extensively in the early 1900’s where, until that time, the Mastiffs had reigned supreme. These two gigantic breeds were crossbred with the idea of developing a bigger and better Mastiff.
The breed prospered and gained in popularity to the point where a Saint Bernard named Sir Bedivere was exported to the United States for an amazing sum of money - $7,000. It was almost inevitable that the breed would soon deteriorate when almost exclusive emphasis was put on size rather than conformation. The breed suffered enormously and even today, Saints are not one of the most popular breeds in the British Isles.
Saints were bred and registered in the United States beginning in the late 1800’s and by 1890 entries at one major show listed over 150 dogs. One of the first great Saints in this country was named Hector and he was imported by the Hospice Kennels in New Jersey. There were many other pioneer kennels which spared no expense in importing good stock to establish the breed, though most of them are no longer in operation today.
The first and original Saint Bernard Club in the United States was organized on February 22, 1888. The club adopted the European, or International Standard for the breed. This original club was dissolved in 1897 and the presently active Saint Bernard Club of America was organized at Grand Rapids, Michigan, in December of that same year, making this parent club one of the oldest member clubs in the American Kennel Club. Colonel Jacob Ruppert, Jr. was its first president, a position he held intermittently for over 30 years. Today the club has many regional clubs all across the country.
The first German Saint Bernard Club was founded in 1891 in Munich, but the quality of the German dogs was poor. The first stud book published in 1894 contained over 300 entries, which indicated considerable interest, but during the two World Wars the breed suffered tremendous setbacks when many of the dogs starved to death or were destroyed by their owners. A few astute breeders managed to hold on to some of their choice stock, so that a few of the best bloodlines did manage to survive and were not lost forever.
Even though the majority of the photographs we see of Saint Bernards feature the dogs with the brandy casks around their necks, there is no actual record of any Saint Bernard ever having to carry a whiskey keg to a lost traveler. It’s a marvelous story – but purely conjecture. The first evidence of the brandy keg appeared in an Edwin Landseer painting and merely “caught on” as a part of the legend of the breed.
Saint owners know the stories are not true, but go along with it since it seems so logical. Even at the Hospice some of the Saints wear them, but it is simply to delight the tourists who wish to take photographs. Actually it presents the opportunity for the monks to tell the truth about the whiskey kegs and set the record straight. They are quick to explain that the monks themselves have been known to carry stimulants for the frozen victims in the snow, but never do the dogs take it around their necks. In spite of this fact, the making of casks for Saint Bernards has become quite a profitable business.
While we have revealed the myth of the Saint Bernard cask and have explained that they are not used for rescue work in the mountains, we must also recognize their ever-increasing number in the dog show rings, in the obedience trials and their service in the fields as working dogs, pulling carts and hauling children around in wagons. They continue to gain in popularity to the point that they are now in the top 50 favorite dogs in the United States.
