Eye Care for Golden Retriever - Symptoms, Signs and Treatment

Healthy eyes in your Golden Retriever help your pet to perceive and interact with the world around them and pet owners should ensure that they help to maintain their pet's eye health. Swollen eyes may be a signs of a serious eye problem and should be examined by your veterinarian. The eyes may appear red and your pet may have difficulty opening them, they may also rub the eye and experience pain. There may also be signs of discharge in the eye and your dog may experience discomfort. Pet owners may try to flush the eyes with a saline solution or distilled water. Any foreign bodies in the eye should be safely removed. However, if symptoms remain, it is important to see your veterinarian who can rule out infection and other eye problems. On your way to the vet, a cool compress may be applied to your dog's eye, and an Elizabethan collar may be worn to prevent the dog from scratching his eyes. If the eye is damaged, medical treatment or even surgery may be necessary. Antibiotics may be administered for infections, while allergy medications may be prescribed for allergies.

One of the most common eye problems for a Golden Retriever is a cataract. A cataract is opacity of the eye lens. The lens lies behind the iris and changes its shape to allow your pet to see objects which are close and far away. A thin capsule covers the lens and clear fluid known as the aqueous humor lies in front of the lens, whilst behind the lens there is a clear gel called the vitreous humor, which helps to keep the retina attached. The retina is a layer of cells that function like a camera film. It receives the light and allows your pet to see. Cataracts may be hereditary, occur with age or can be secondary to inflammation, trauma, diabetes, or retinal degeneration. In the later stages, the cataract may leak proteins into the eye and cause inflammation. Surgery may be required to treat the cataract and help to restore any loss of vision. After the surgery, you may be required to administer eye drops to your pet several times a day for a few weeks.

Golden Retriever Uveitis is a syndrome characterized by progressive inflammation in the eye and is related to pigment deposition as well as cyst formation. GRU may be mild, but it can develop into glaucoma, pain, and blindness. The early signs include formation of non-painful iris or ciliary body cysts, or an increase in iris pigmentation in one or both eyes. Early in the process inflammation is subtle and it may not be evident by casual observation. Symptoms may also include squinting, increased tearing or discharge, redness, photophobia (light sensitivity), and cloudiness of the eyes or eye. This is also considered an inherited condition and pet owners are advised against breeding dogs with this condition. Combinations of topical and systemic anti-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed including both steroidal and non-steroidal medications.