Eye problems can be a real threat to your pet's eyesight, which is why it's important to know and recognize the early warning signs of unhealthy eyes.
Check your dog's eyes on a regular basis and at the first sign of any problems take your pet to see his vet for an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.
Cocker Spaniel Puppies
Early signs of problems in the eye, for example, infection, allergies, or disease, may show as follows:
- Your Cocker Spaniel may blink or squint more often than normal
- His eyes may look red or appear inflamed
- He may paw at his face and eyes - a sure sign of pain or irritation
- A third eyelid may slip and become visible
- If your Cocker Spaniel develops a severe discharge around his eyes - get it checked out! (However, don't worry about a little 'sleep' in the corners as it's fairly normal
- one or both of your Cocker's eyes may begins to 'bulge',
- they appear 'cloudy' or 'milky',
- your dog may develop a crust around the eyelid(s),
- one of them appears sunken into the socket,
- he suddenly begins to produce more tears than normal,
- one or both of your dog's eyes begin producing mucus,
- it becomes apparent that your dog's vision is deteriorating.
If you notice any of the above listed symptoms of dog eye problems in your Cocker Spaniel, take your dog to see his vet without delay - your pet's health is much too important to wait!
How To Avoid Eye Problems In Cocker Spaniels
There are many things you can do to ensure your pet doesn't suffer from these health problems - simply follow our advice below to help keep those beautiful brown peepers clear, sparkling, and healthy!
- Take a close look at them each day - it shouldn't take more than a minute. If you spot something, you can deal with it immediately, before it becomes a real problem.
- Don't use anything in his eyes that hasn't been prescribed for him by the vet.
- Shampoo and soap can cause irritation so take care when bathing him.
- Don't try to remove anything embedded in the eyeball - leave that to the professionals and get him to the vet immediately.
- If it's a windy day, sand or grit may be blown into his eyes causing irritation and infection. The wind can also have a drying affect.
- Clean your pet's eyes regularly.
How To Clean Your Cocker Spaniel's Eyes
Keeping your Cocker's eyes clear and clean will help to avoid many dog eye problems.
Clean them at least once a month as follows:
- Use a cotton-wool ball soaked in a solution of 1 cup of distilled water and half a teaspoon of salt.
- Gently wipe the area around the eye but be careful not to touch them with the cotton wool or your fingers.
- It's important to use a separate cotton ball for each side to avoid transferring infection from one eye to the other.
- Remember to wash your hands both before and after the cleaning process.
Eye Problems In Cocker Spaniels - Summary
It's important to keep a check on your Cocker Spaniel's eyes for potential problems.
This shouldn't take too long; a quick check, taking a couple of minutes each day, a more thorough inspection once a week, and a thorough cleaning once a month.
Your dog's eyesight is very precious so if you have any concerns, or you discover anything you're not sure about, don't take a chance with self-diagnosis - take your Cocker Spaniel to see his vet for a professional diagnosis and treatment.
Cocker Spaniel health problems can easily get out of hand if you don't act quickly. If you're at all concerned about your pet's health - take him to see the vet without delay!
Eye Problems In Cocker Spaniels - What Are The Symptoms?
