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Newsletter
10.04.2014

You need to pay careful attention to your dog’s tears!

Dear dog owner,

Fine weather and the first green leaves are the perfect excuse for prolonged walks. For your dog, the fresh air provides a heavenly mixture of the very finest aromas. Many wild animals, including squirrels, rabbits and mice are out and about looking for food and companionship, and they, too, emit an enticing scent. They can make even the calmest dog spring into action.

During your dog’s exploratory forages through the dense underbrush, a grain of sand, a twig or a thorn may get in his eye. Normally, if a foreign body nears the eye, the eyelids shut reflexively. However, if the object is moving fast or if it approaches from the side, the eyelid reflex may not be quick enough.

In the simplest cases, the foreign body does not injure the transparent corneal layer of the eye and “only” causes inflammation of the conjunctiva. In more serious cases, though, the corneal surface may be scratched or the object may even penetrate through the cornea. Corneal disorders are absolute emergencies, because they carry the risk of losing vision in the injured eye!

It may not be easy for you, as the pet owner, to distinguish between conjunctival inflammation and a serious injury. In both instances, the eye will tear, and because it hurts, your dog will keep it shut. Therefore, any time you suspect an eye emergency you should consult a veterinarian immediately.

You should never try to remove foreign bodies that have become lodged in the eye. Parts of the eye may protrude through the resulting wound and the eye may be permanently damaged.

In our articles on the eye, we present a detailed description with information and consequences of different eye conditions. You should take the opportunity to familiarize yourself with this subject in advance, so you can respond calmly and appropriately in an emergency situation.

We wish you accident-free happy spring days.
Your enpevet team