Eye Problems in Dogs

| Modified on Oct 28, 2024
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rif (Uk) on 02/14/2017
★★★★★

My German Shepherd dog got bad eye infection last summer, (white discharge from eyes)... probably due to swimming in the pond. After a bit of research I made a solution of ACV - half cup of water n half cup of ACV.

With the help of cotton ball I applied this solution on his scruff (not his eyes). After first application I can see great result, so I did it twice a day. Within two days his eyes are miraculously clear of infection. No vet bills no eye drops nothing. Thx you so much ACV.


Sight Loss in Dogs
Posted by Karen (Brooklyn, New York) on 05/29/2014

My little dog was once able to see but now is blind..how I would love for her sight to return.


Sight Loss in Dogs
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee, Usa) on 11/21/2013

Hi Toby,

Sorry about your dog's troubles!

Castor Oil may be helpful to both. The eye cloudiness you describe sounds like Cataracts, which is not uncommon in older animals. Some have found castor oil, a drop in each eye daily, to cure this. I do not know an easy way to get something into a dog's eyes, though.

You can also apply some castor oil into the obstruction you describe in his urinary system. I would try this twice a day. If he will drink some apple cider vinegar in his water, this may also help. A tablespoon in water once or twice a day would be appropriate for an adult. So, perhaps 1/4 teaspoon if your dog is 12 pounds. You could just add that to his water bowl.

Plantain Tea is also excellent for urinary tract infections. You could make plantain tea and give him that instead of water. It isn't a strong tasting tea. I think I could get my dog to drink the vinegar water or plantain tea. He drinks anything...even mud puddles. But maybe Great Pyrenees are not very discerning. :)

I hope he improves a lot soon. Let us know how it goes!

~Mama to Many~


Sight Loss in Dogs
Posted by Toby (U.K.) on 11/20/2013

Hi,

I am wondering if anybody might know how to help my Jack Russell dog. He is about 9 years old. He seems to have difficultly with his sight lately and bumps into doors when closing, or if I put food on the floor he has to sniff for it as he cannot see it. His vision seems to be mostly impaired from the sides. His brown eyes, seem to have developed into a blue almost misty blue covering the surface on each eye. I would take him to the vets, but I have just been with him regarding what I would describe as a urinary tract infection. I firsts noticed it when washing him and it feels like there is an obstruction(almost like a rodJ) from where he pees from - penis I guess - dunno the vet term. I have been washing him for 9 years before and he never had it and now it is there all the time. Anyway 200 euros later and antibiotics, scans etc, still no improvement. My mother took him to the vet so I dunno what the condition is called. Does anybody know a remedy for either. Thanks.

Sight Loss in Dogs
Posted by Ambika (Shillong, India) on 02/05/2016
★★★★★

I was advised to use Cineraria Homeopathic Eye Drop. It seems to have no side effects and works best in cartaract cases. I am however not able to find it here.


Sight Loss in Dogs
Posted by Debbie (East Sussex) on 05/29/2016

Thanks for the suggestion of Cineraria. I found it on Ebay, And have ordered some.


Sight Loss in Dogs
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 04/24/2024 523 posts

You can also use the colors yellow and blue to help them identify things. Everything else is just gray for them. Not screaming bright primary colors but medium, warmer shades - as in the opposite direction from green. Like a warm yellow shaded toward orange and a warm blue shaded toward purple. Say something like a t-shirt for you and a bed cover for them. Maybe yellow post-its stuck to door jams and corners...


Sight Loss in Dogs
Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 11/22/2013

Hey Toby!

Some thoughts for you.

The 'rod' in your dog's penis is his penis bone. Not all mamals have a bone in their penis, but dogs do and so this 'rod' is normal for the species.

You mention a UTI and seeing the vet for this issue; was the issue detecting the penis bone [alarming if you are not familiar with the anatomy] or was your dog experiencing trouble with urination or frequent urination with greenish goo coming out of his prepuce/opening of his penis sheath? Green goo does occur in entire/intact males and is a byproduct of testosterone production.

If the green goo appears to be excessive and is an irritation to your dog, you can mix up a solution of betadine and pure water to flush the penis. Mix as many drops of betadine solution into 1 cup of warm water until it resembles a weak tea and then use that to flush the penis and cleanse it.

One issue for consideration IF your dog is not neutered is benign prostatic hyperplasia - or chronic enlarged prostate. A swollen prostate gland will affect your dog's urination habits and may lead to infection of the protate gland which untreated can be life threatening. A ribbon like stool is a sure sign that your dog has an enlarged prostate. While there may be herbs to address the swollen prostate, I have not found great success in using them and the sure fire 'cure' is to have your dog neutered.

The cloudy eyes require a professional opinion. Small terriers are suceptible to many forms of eye disease. While cataracts may rob your dog of his sight, Primary Lens Luxation may cause him to lose his eyeballs; so his sight loss really does deserve to be addressed by your vet. You may wish to ring up your vet and explain that the vision issue was not addressed in the prior visit and see if they will do a recheck from the first appointment at a reduced or waived fee.

Please read up on eye disease:

http://www.therealjackrussell.com/breed/eye.php

http://www.animaleyecare.net/diseases/cataract.htm

Until you get a diagnosis in hand, you can best support your dog by being his eyes. Don't change the furniture around. Help him out with doors and make use of his keen ears to guide him. If you do find his sight loss is permanent, there are support groups available to discuss living with a blind dog.

Please report back!


Sight Loss in Dogs
Posted by Toby (Europe) on 11/27/2013

Hi Theresa and Mama to Many, Thank you both for your reply. I will take on board your suggestions, although I think that I will need to take him back to the vet for his sight, as I'm not sure it is something that I could tackle myself at home. Thanks again for taking the time to reply. Regards


Sight Loss in Dogs
Posted by Katzie (Cancun, Mexico ) on 10/12/2024

I know this post is really old, but I had to jump in when I saw that your dog had a blue-misty eye; mine did too. This was the day after we started beating an inner ear infection back (using dmso, but that saga will be in another post). It was only in his right eye and appeared overnight.

Mildly alarmed at seeing his big brown eye turn misty-blue so quickly, I made a dmso/distilled water solution immediately and applied it 2x/day with an eye dropper. Even with him closing his eyes when the dropper is near, the space between the lids is enough. Within 2 days his eye is its beautiful original brown again! I will continue to treat him for another few days though. Another miracle by my trusty DMSO.


Sight Loss in Dogs
Posted by Katzie (Cancun, Mexico) on 10/13/2024

I forgot to give the dosage I used: 10% DMSO/90% Distilled water. Many reviews are positive at 40% DMSO solution eyedrops, even 20% DMSO gets great reviews, but rescue #4 is very small so I felt more comfortable with a 10% solution.


Sight Loss in Dogs
Posted by Ang (California) on 10/27/2024

Thank you for that info. I (probably like many others) still search for answers for my pets on earth clinic. Some older threads still hold some valuable information/suggestions, and I sure welcome any new ones! Thank you again for your helpful post.


Sight Loss in Dogs
Posted by LAUREN (NY) on 04/24/2024

Hi Toby,

My friend had same eye issue with her little guy. I researched for her and found putting colloidal silver in the dogs eyes helped her little guy. He won't fully recover from the cataracts but it has been helping him see better. Best of luck to you and the pup.