Glaucoma in dogs is a common eye condition that can be caused by goniodysgenesis. This is a condition where development is incomplete in the pectinate ligaments that allow fluid to channel into the eye. This abnormality causes the fluid to flow slower or not at all. Normally this fluid is created inside the eyes, where it flows throughout the ocular area and then is drained out in front of the eye. Goniodysgenesis can lead to a much higher risk of glaucoma in the dog. There are some symptoms to look for and there are some breeds that may develop goniodysgenesis more commonly.
Commonly Affected Breeds
There are a lot amount of breeds that are more commonly affected by glaucoma and goniodysgenesis. These breeds include:
- Shar Pei
- Terrier breeds
- Chow chow
- Basset hound
- Cocker spaniel
- Miniature poodle
- All arctic circle breeds
All of these dog breeds commonly inherit glaucoma and goniodysgenesis from their parents. If you are an owner of one of these dogs, you should get your dog regularly checked for any goniodysgenesis developments. There is a procedure that can check the drainage angle of your dog's eye. This procedure is called gonioscopy. This procedure, combined with other methods of detecting fluid pressure in the eye, can help give you a definitive result for your dog's goniodysgenesis diagnosis.
Symptoms
There are plenty of symptoms to look for when checking to see if your dog has goniodysgenesis. The easiest one to check for is just by observing your animal. The dog may have dilated pupils, red eyes, watery eyes, or eyes that appear to be set back in the skull. All of these are easy to see. You may also find that your dog winces when you pet his head. Glaucoma in dogs also causes winking spasms and sensitivity in light. You may find some behavioral changes in your dog, such as hiding and refusing to eat. Some dogs develop a third eyebrow that is constantly raised, which is clearly noticeable. If you notice any of these changes in your dog, you should attempt to investigate further. You should never let glaucoma in dogs develop, because it can quickly lead to some extreme health problems.
Treatment
You should try to treat your dog for goniodysgenesis or glaucoma immediately. If left untreated, your dog can suffer from vision loss or blindness. There are recordings of glaucoma and goniodysgenesis being caught early enough that the vision loss was reversed, and some cases where eye drops were all that was needed to revert the damage. There are other times where surgery is needed to completely heal the eye. It all depends on how closely you monitor the changes in your dog's behavior. Glaucoma in dogs is a serious matter. Watch your dog for any developments that may be taking place, and be ready to take care of the problem if it does arise.