Are There Dog Eye Surgery Age Limitations?

Dog eye surgery can be helpful for a number of eye problems suffered by puppies and adult dogs.

Common Dog Eye Problems

• Puppies and dogs can suffer a variety of eye problems including:
• Entropion, an inward folding of the eyelid.
• Cherry eye, a prolapsed gland of the third eyelid.
• Ectopic Cilia, an abnormal eyelash growth that is painful for the dog and usually accompanied by an ulcer.
• Distichiasis, an abnormal position of the eyelashes that can cause irritation.
• Dermoid, a congenital defect.
• Cataracts
• Follicular Conjunctivitis, an irritation of the eye related to allergies.
• Puppy Pyodermia, an abcess of the eyelid.
• Dry Eye.

Avoiding Dog Eye Problems

Many dog eye problems are inherited. Before buying a puppy, ask your breeder what eye conditions the breed may be prone to.

Dog eye problems such as redness, irritation and squinting should never be ignored. The problem may be more serious than it looks and could grow worse without treatment.

Age Requirements for Dog Eye Surgery

While puppies may undergo surgery as young as eight weeks, it's a good idea to wait until your puppy is at least four months old before agreeing to surgery that requires anesthesia.

Many senior dogs suffer from cataracts. Cataract dog eye surgery has a high success rate of about 90%. As long as your senior dog is healthy, there should be no reason why he cannot undergo cataract or other eye surgery, no matter his age.