If you’ve ever noticed your beloved Shih Tzu’s eyes turning red, you’re not alone. Shih Tzu eyes red and Shih Tzu eye infections are common concerns for pet owners. In this concise guide, I will walk you through the steps to solve this problem and help you prevent it from occurring in the first place. Let’s dive into the world of Shih Tzu eye health.
Shih Tzu Eye Problems
Shih Tzus are known for their unique and cute faces, especially their big and beautiful eyes. However, they are prone to various eye issues. You may notice shih tzu eyes red which is a very common among them. Let’s explore why your Shih Tzu might have red eyes.
Several eye problems could be cause the shih tzu eyes red problem. One possibility is “cherry eye,” which is inflammation of the tear gland. Another thing could be “dry eye,” where the tear ducts fail to produce enough tears. Additionally, allergies might also be responsible if your Shih Tzu’s eyes appear bloodshot. Things become really painful with this shih tzu eyes red problem.
You need to be aware of these eye problems, as they can affect your furry friend’s well-being. Remember, if you notice any fatal signs, it’s best to consult your veterinarian urgently. Don’t delay about it, or their eye problem can worsen.
Shih Tzu Eyes red Infections
Shih Tzus often experience eye infections because of certain glandular secretions that accumulate on the fur below their eyes if not cleaned regularly. This buildup attracts dirt and bacteria, leading to infections. Things can get really messy because of dirt!
When a veterinarian identifies an infection, they typically prescribe antibacterial eye drops. You should consistently clean the secretions until the infection clears up. Cleaning is a must thing here.
Pink eye is a common type of infection that can happen in Shih Tzus. Taking care of their eyes and maintaining simple cleaning habits can help prevent these issues in your beloved dog.
Shih Tzu’s Irritated Eyes
Shih Tzus are unique with their cute flat faces and short noses, but one thing they shouldn’t have is red or irritated eyes. In a healthy Shih Tzu, their eyes should be clear and white, just like in any other healthy dog. If their eyes are red, it’s a sign that something might be up with their health.
What are the common Shih Tzu eyes red problems?
Shih Tzu Cherry Eye
Causes of Shih Tzu Cherry Eye
Cherry Eye happens when a special gland in your eye doesn’t stay where it should. There’s usually a little ligament holding it in place, but if that ligament gives way, the gland pops out, creating a pink lump that looks like a cherry under your eyelid.
Treatment of Shih Tzu Cherry Eye
While Cherry Eye itself isn’t very painful or harmful to the eye, it can lead to dryness and infections. The typical way to fix it is through surgery. The surgery helps put the gland back in its right spot.
Prevention of Shih Tzu Cherry Eye
There’s no surefire way to prevent Cherry Eye, but keeping an eye on your Shih Tzu’s eye health and getting prompt treatment if you notice any issues can help keep things in check. Regular check-ups with your vet are also a good idea to catch any problems early.
Shih Tzu Dry Eye
Causes of Shih Tzu Dry Eye
Sometimes, Shih Tzus can get red eyes because of a condition called dry eye, which is also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Dry eye happens when your dog can’t make tears like they should. Tears are super important for keeping their eyes comfy and healthy.
Treatment of Shih Tzu Dry Eye
If your Shih Tzu’s eyes are red and dry, it’s important to see the vet. They might blink a lot and have yellow stuff coming from their eyes. The vet can give them eye drops, pain meds, and other medicines to help them feel better. It’s crucial to follow the vet’s instructions to make sure your pup gets well.
Prevention of Shih Tzu Dry Eye
To keep your Shih Tzu’s eyes safe, watch out for things that could hurt them, like sharp objects. Avoid keeping those sharp things at their eye level. Taking good care of their eyes is a must because untreated, dry eyes can lead to scars and permanent vision problems. So, make sure to visit the vet if your furry friend has red, painful eyes.
Shih Tzu Corneal Ulcer
Causes Shih Tzu Corneal Ulcer
A corneal ulcer can happen to your sweet Shih Tzu. Their eyes stick out a bit, so they’re more likely to get hurt, like from a scratch. Sometimes, you might not even see the scratch, but if you notice something strange in their eye, that could be a sign of an ulcer. Keep an eye out for signs like tearing a lot, often closing their eyes, hesitating to blink, or squinting. These show they might be in pain when their eyelid touches the ulcer.
Treatment of Shih Tzu Corneal Ulcer
If it’s not too bad, treating an ulcer usually means using special eye drops from the vet until it’s healed. But if it’s severe, your pup might get a bit grumpy about the eye drops. It’s not personal; they’re just trying to avoid more pain.
Prevention of Shih Tzu Corneal Ulcer
To keep the ulcer from getting worse, check your dog’s eyes every day for anything weird, like redness, tears, or puffiness. If you see any issues or if your dog’s pawing at their eyes, call the vet right away. Taking care of your furry friend’s eyes is super important for their comfort and health.
Excessive Tearing (Epiphora)
Causes Excessive Tearing
Excessive tearing, also known as Epiphora or “wet eye,” happens when your eyes produce too many tears or when those tears can’t drain properly. It’s not a disease by itself but is often connected to other health issues. Normally, your eyes make a thin layer of tears to keep them wet, and any extra tears are supposed to drain through small tubes near your nose.
Treatment of Excessive Tearing
If your pet has this problem, it’s important to find out what’s causing it. For some dogs, like Shih Tzus with flat faces, their unique face shape can make the tears overflow. In some cases, incorrect hair trimming can also lead to eye issues. The vet will need to rule out other possible causes like allergies, infections, or eye injuries.
Prevention of Excessive Tearing
Preventing excessive tearing depends on what’s causing it. If it’s linked to a blocked tear duct, the vet can do a procedure to fix it. They might flush out the ducts, widen narrow ones, or open up tiny tear duct openings.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Causes Progressive Retinal Atrophy
PRA is a disease that dogs can inherit from their parents. It’s really sad because it makes dogs go blind. This disease harms the eye cells that help them see, and it keeps getting worse over time. There are different kinds of PRA, some slow and some fast. Some start to show problems when dogs are older, while others affect Shih Tzu pups when they’re just one year old.
Treatment of Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for PRA. However, some tests can check if dogs might get this disease. If you do these tests and find out your dog doesn’t have PRA, they’re less likely to pass it on to their puppies. This way, we can try to stop this sad disease from spreading and make sure future Shih Tzu dogs are healthier and happier.
Prevention of Progressive Retinal Atrophy
The best way to prevent PRA is by testing breeding dogs to make sure they don’t have the gene for this disease. If they don’t have it, there’s a lower risk of their puppies getting PRA. This helps keep this disease from spreading and makes sure Shih Tzu pups grow up with good vision.
Shih Tzu Distichiasis
Causes of Shih Tzu Distichiasis
Distichiasis is an eye problem that Shih Tzus can get. It happens when they grow extra eyelashes in a strange place on the edge of their eyelids.
Treatment of Shih Tzu Distichiasis
If your Shih Tzu has this, a special animal eye doctor, called a veterinary ophthalmologist, can help. They’ll remove those extra eyelashes and make sure they don’t come back. They might freeze the roots of the extra lashes or use electrolysis to get rid of them.
Prevention of Shih Tzu Distichiasis
There’s not much you can do to prevent it, but with the right treatment, your dog can feel better and have a good outcome. Look out for signs like watery eyes, red and swollen tissue around the eye, or ulcers on the clear part of the eye (the cornea). If you notice these, it’s best to see the vet.
Shih Tzu Proptosis
Causes of Shih Tzu Proptosis
Proptosis is a condition that affects certain dog breeds like Shih Tzu, especially those with bulging eyes, short noses, and shallow eye sockets. It usually happens due to severe head injuries.
Treatment of Shih Tzu Proptosis
If your dog experiences proptosis, it’s vital to seek immediate emergency treatment. Without it, the eyeball can get pushed out of its normal place in the eye socket, and the eyelids can get stuck behind it, causing intense pain. If not treated promptly, the injured eye may lose blood flow and result in blindness. The treatment options involve carefully repositioning the eye back into its socket or, in severe cases, removing the damaged eye.
Prevention of Shih Tzu Proptosis
Since proptosis is often caused by head injuries, preventing such accidents is crucial.
Shih Tzu Glaucoma
Cause of Shih Tzu Glaucoma
Glaucoma in Shih Tzus can happen on its own or because of an infection. It happens when the fluid in their eyes doesn’t drain properly.
Treatment of Shih Tzu Glaucoma
The treatment and what to expect depend on how serious it is and what caused it. If your Shih Tzu goes blind, the best thing to do is to remove the affected eye.
Prevention of Shih Tzu Glaucoma
Sadly, there isn’t much you can do to prevent it. Just keep an eye out for signs like big pupils, bulging eyes, or vision loss, and get help from a vet when needed.
Entropion or Ectropion
Causes of Entropion
Entropion is when a Shih Tzu’s eyelids curl painfully inward, which can be painful and uncomfortable for them.
Treatment of Entropion
To help, you can use special ointments to keep your eyes comfortable. In severe cases, surgery might be needed to fix the eyelid and stop it from rolling.
Prevention of Entropion
There’s no sure way to prevent it, but you can watch for symptoms like excessive tearing, redness in the eyes, and eye swelling.
Causes of Ectropion
Ectropion makes a Shih Tzu’s eyelids turn outward, making their eyes droopy.
Treatment of Ectropion
Lubricating ointments can help soothe the eyes. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to fix the eyelids.
Prevention of Ectropion
While you can’t always prevent it, you can look for signs like excessive tearing and redness in the eyes. Getting early treatment is the key to helping your pup feel better.
Retinal Detachment in Shih Tzu
Causes of Retinal Detachment in Shih Tzu
In Shih Tzu’s eye, the retina is like the camera film that helps them see. When it comes loose from the back of the eye, it’s a big problem. This can happen because of another health issue, and it’s painful for your pup.
Treatment of Retinal Detachment in Shih Tzu
If your Shih Tzu’s retina detaches, it’s essential to act quickly. Contact your vet right away. They’ll need to treat the underlying health problem causing the detachment. Immediate care is crucial to prevent blindness.
Prevention of Retinal Detachment in Shih Tzu
While you can’t always prevent retinal detachment, keeping your Shih Tzu’s overall health in check can reduce the risk of associated conditions. Regular check-ups with your vet can help catch problems early.
Ingrown Eyelashes (Trichiasis) in Shih Tzu
Causes of Ingrown Eyelashes in Shih Tzu
Ingrown eyelashes in Shih Tzus can be uncomfortable. A stray eyelash can scratch their eye, causing irritation and potential harm to their vision.
Treatment of Ingrown Eyelashes (Trichiasis) in Shih Tzu
If your dog has an ingrown eyelash, you might see the troublesome hair and notice them scratching their face a lot. To fix the problem, antibiotics are often needed. Just pulling out the eyelash won’t work because it will likely grow back in the same troublesome spot.
Prevention of Ingrown Eyelashes (Trichiasis) in Shih Tzu
Don’t try to remove your dog’s eyelashes or deal with eye issues on your own. It’s risky and could cause permanent damage. Trust your vet, who has the right tools and know-how to handle the problem safely and effectively.
Cataract in Shih Tzu Eyes
Causes of Cataract in Shih Tzu Eyes
A cataract is like a cloudy cover that grows over the eye lens. It usually happens in older Shih Tzu dogs, often after they turn 8. Eye injuries can also cause it.
Treatment of Cataract in Shih Tzu Eyes
To fix cataracts, the doctors do surgery to remove the cloudy cover. Most of the time, your pup’s eye gets better completely.
Prevention of Cataract in Shih Tzu Eyes
There isn’t really a way to prevent cataracts, but if you notice any eye trouble in your Shih Tzu, it’s good to get them checked by a vet early to catch any problems and treat them. If cataracts aren’t treated, it could make your furry friend go blind. So, early check-ups are a good idea!
Final Thoughts about shih tzu eyes red
If you notice something wrong with your dog’s eyes, such as redness or bloodshot appearance, it’s important to act urgently and reach out to a veterinarian without delay. Shih Tzus are known to face serious eye issues, so don’t dismiss the problem, hoping it’ll go away on its own. You love your dog a lot, right? While it might turn out to be nothing serious, it’s wiser to take precautions and ensure your furry friend’s well-being.
We’ve covered various conditions that Shih Tzus might encounter during their lifetime, but there could be even more not mentioned here. Red or bloodshot eyes could signal anything from allergies to potential eyesight-threatening problems. Always consult a vet to get a proper diagnosis, just to be on the safe side.
If you’re considering using any home remedies for your dog’s eye issues, it’s best to consult with a vet first to avoid the risk of doing more harm than good. Your dog’s health should always be handled with care and professional advice.
