Glaucoma is a disease that causes damage to the optic nerve, leading to vision impairment or even blindness. The good news is that early detection and proper treatment can prevent permanent visual loss in your Shih Tzu. In this article, we’ll explain what glaucoma is, how it affects the eyesight of your Shih Tzu, and the various treatments available for this condition.
Identifying and Treating Glaucoma in Shih Tzus
Glaucoma is an age-related eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerves. This damages vision and eventually leads to blindness. There are many types of glaucoma and it can affect both eyes. In some cases, glaucoma is hereditary.
Most commonly affects older dogs, however, younger dogs can also be effected.
Treatment includes lowering the intraocular pressures which is measured with a Tonometer.
What Is Glaucoma in Shih Tzus?
Glaucoma is a hereditary disease that can cause damage to the optic nerve. This damages vision and can lead to blindness. In dogs, glaucoma most commonly occurs in the left eye. The disease can occur suddenly, causing sudden loss of vision. However, it can also develop over several months or even years. There are many types of glaucoma, including primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), primary closed angle glaucoma, juvenile glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, chronic pupillary block, traumatic glaucoma, and neovascular glaucoma.
At what age will Glaucoma appear in a Shih Tzu?
Glaucoma is one of the most common eye diseases among dogs. A recent study found that it affects about 2% of dogs over 10 years old. In humans, glaucoma occurs in approximately 3% of people aged 40 and above. Researchers believe that the disease is hereditary. They also think that it could be triggered by environmental factors such as high temperatures and humidity. You therefore need to keep an eye out for signs of Glaucoma, in particular acute Glaucoma.
This study examined the relationship between age and intraocular pressure (IOP). Intraocular pressure refers to the force exerted by the fluid inside the eyeball against the lens. When the pressure becomes too high, it damages the optic nerve, causing vision loss.
The researchers collected data from 513 Shih Tzus. Their ages ranged from 0 to 14 years. All of the dogs had normal eyesight. Some of them were already diagnosed with glaucoma, while others did not show any signs of the disease.
They measured the IOP of each dog three times. The average value was used to calculate the mean IOP level for each breed. Then, they compared the values obtained for each group.
Results revealed that Shih Tzus have significantly lower IOP levels than Labradors. The highest IOP levels were recorded in puppies under 12 months old. However, the difference between the two breeds became smaller as the dogs grew up. At 13 years old, the mean IOP level of Shih Tzus was similar to that of Labradors.
There was also a positive correlation between age, IOP levels and body weight. Older dogs weighed less than younger ones. As a result, the IOP levels increased with increasing age.
What are the disease signs of Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease caused by increased intraocular pressure. Increased intraocular pressure damages the optic nerve and can lead to permanent vision loss.
The most common type of glaucoma is called primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). POAG usually occurs without warning and does not affect both eyes equally. It affects one eye at a time. When it begins, the person notices no pain or discomfort. As the disease progresses, the patient experiences blurred vision, headaches, and sensitivity to light.
There are many types of secondary glaucomas. These include closed angle glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, neovascular glaucoma, traumatic glaucoma, and steroid induced glaucoma. Secondary glaucomas often occur because of trauma to the eye such as surgery, injury, or inflammation. They can also develop when the drainage system malfunctions.
A veterinarian will examine you and take a thorough medical history to determine whether you have glaucoma. Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination including checking your pupils, examining your eyes, measuring your intraocular pressure, and testing your visual fields. An ophthalmologist will conduct additional tests to confirm the diagnosis.
The most common symptoms of Glaucoma in Dogs can include:
- Cloudy corneas
- Light sensitivity
- Appetite loss
- Lethargy
- Inflamed eyes
- Squinting
- Watery eye discharge
- Excessive tearing
Causes of Glaucoma in Shih Tzus?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by damage to the optic nerve head and vision loss. This disease affects both eyes, although it usually starts with one eye. In dogs, there are many different types of glaucoma.
Is Glaucoma dangerous for my Shih Tzu? Will it make him blind?
Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerves and retinal ganglion cells. This causes vision loss and blindness. In dogs, it usually affects older animals, especially those over 10 years old. If you notice sudden changes in your dog’s behavior, such as decreased appetite, vomiting, lethargy, drooling, trouble walking, or unusual sleeping patterns, contact your veterinarian immediately. Your vet will perform a complete physical examination and check your pet’s blood pressure. They may recommend additional tests, including a urinalysis, blood work, and possibly x-rays.
Primary glaucoma occurs because there is too much fluid in the eyeball. This makes the lens less flexible and prevents the normal flow of fluids out of the eye. As the fluid builds up, it pushes against the iris, causing swelling and eventually scarring. Eventually, the scar tissue blocks the drainage channels and forms a clot. When this happens, the eye becomes painful and swollen.
Secondary glaucoma is caused by a blockage in the eye’s drainage system. Blockages can occur anywhere along the drainage pathway, but are most common in the trabecular meshwork. This is where the aqueous humor drains into the bloodstream. Some breeds are more prone to secondary glaucoma than others. For example, Poodles are more likely to develop this type of glaucoma than other breeds.
If your dog is diagnosed with primary glaucoma, treatment options include medications, laser surgery, and/or surgical removal of the cataract. However, early detection is key to slowing down the progression of the disease.
Treatments for Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease that damages the optic nerve, causing it to slowly lose function. There are several types of glaucoma, including open-angle, closed-angle, juvenile, congenital, pigmentary, angle-closure, pseudoexfoliation, traumatic and neovascular.
Medical treatment includes medication and surgery. Medications are used to lower intraocular pressure (IOP), which is the main risk factor for developing glaucoma. IOP reduction slows down damage to the optic nerve. However, some patients do not respond well to certain drugs. In addition, many people develop side effects while taking medicine.
Surgery is often needed to treat glaucoma. A trabeculectomy involves creating a fistula in the sclera (the tough outer covering of the eyeball). This allows fluid to drain out of the anterior chamber into a space behind the iris called the subconjunctival space. The fluid drains away from the eye, lowering IOP. If the procedure fails, another type of surgery is performed. There are other options for therapies for Glaucoma too.
Glaucoma affects nearly 60 million people worldwide. In Shih Tzu dogs, it is caused by inherited genetic defects. If you notice your dog showing signs of vision loss, contact your veterinarian immediately. Surgery is often recommended to treat the condition. Recovery takes about three weeks.
Prevention
Nothing can be done to stop this disease. But it can be treated successfully. If you notice anything unusual about the eye, consult your veterinarian immediately. He will examine your pet thoroughly and take care of everything related with his health.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Shih Tzus are known for their gentle nature, which means that they often require less attention than other breeds. However, because of their size, they can develop glaucoma at a younger age than other dogs, and it is important we keep a keen eye on the vision health of your Shih Tzu.. This disease causes damage to the optic nerve, which leads to blindness and vision impairment. Fortunately, there are several steps that owners can take to help prevent this from happening.
The first step is to make sure that your Shih Tzu has regular eye exams. This will allow your vet to check his eyesight and determine whether he requires treatment. In addition, you should keep him away from bright lights and places where he could bump into objects. Finally, you should never let him sleep in a crate or kennel without proper ventilation. These practices will help reduce the chances of developing glaucoma.