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Oct 4, 2021 · For instance, iris atrophy is often a comorbid condition in dogs with glaucoma or uveitis. Inflammation as a result of eye trauma is another leading cause of secondary iris atrophy. Diagnosis. The first step in diagnosing iris atrophy is for the vet to review the pet's medical history report and document any symptoms and pre-existing conditions.
- What Is A “Senior” Dog?
- The Ocular Examination
- Diagnostic Parameters
- Eyelid Tumors in Dogs
- Corneal Changes in Dogs
- Iris Atrophy in Dogs
- Lens Changes in Dogs
- Vitreous Changes in Dogs
- Retinal Changes in Dogs
- Recommendations and Owner Compliance
According to the 2019 American Animal Hospital Association Canine Life Stage Guidelines, the mature adult stage of a dog’s life begins at completion of physical and social maturation (most often 3 to 4 years old) and lasts until the final 25% of the individual’s estimated lifespan is reached, while the senior stage is defined as the last 25% of the...
Take a Complete History
A thorough and comprehensive history can gain insight into problems of which the owner may be unaware. Eye-related questions for apparently healthy senior dogs can include: 1. Have you noticed any redness in the whites of the eyes, eye discharge, or rubbing at the eyes? 2. Have you noticed any change in the color of the eyes? 3. Have you noticed any changes in vision, including difficulty navigating stairs and curbs? Is there a difference in vision during full sunlight versus dim lighting or...
Perform a Brief Ocular Examination
1. Observe the pet on the floor, off leash, prior to handling. Watch how the pet navigates the room as an unfamiliar environment. 2. Look at the patient’s eyes at eye level (bring them up to you on an examination table or come down to them) and evaluate for symmetry in the ambient light. Test menace response and palpebral reflex. 3. Turn off the lights in the room and use a focal light source (e.g., penlight, Finoff transilluminator) for pupillary light reflexes. If the menace response is abs...
Tear Production
A gradual decrease in tear production is expected as dogs age. Schirmer tear test (STT) values of ≤10 mm/min are diagnostic for dry eye, while values of 11 to 14 mm/min are considered a “gray zone” and should be taken into consideration with the breed, ocular examination, and clinical signs. Values of 15 to 25 mm/min are considered normal. In one study, the mean STT decreased by 0.4 mm every year in aging dogs.3 In addition, dogs with endocrinopathies (e.g., diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocort...
Intraocular Pressure
Intraocular pressure (IOP) also decreases with age in dogs.8,9 The normal IOP range varies slightly depending on the tonometer used but is generally considered to be 10 to 25 mm Hg in normal, young dogs. It is not unusual for senior dogs to have low IOPs (<7 mm Hg); however, in the absence of signs of anterior uveitis, this finding does not have clinical consequences for the animal’s ocular health and no further monitoring or treatment is necessary.8,9 Evaluation of IOP in asymptomatic senior...
Dogs are more predisposed to eyelid neoplasms as they age, particularly sebaceous gland adenomas and melanomas. However, approximately 90% of eyelid masses in dogs behave benignly.15 The decision to remove an eyelid mass depends on several factors, including (1) the size of the mass and speed of growth of the mass; (2) the location of the mass on t...
As dogs age, they become predisposed to several corneal pathologies, especially indolent ulcers, corneal degeneration, and corneal endothelial disease.
Senile iris atrophy occurs in senior animals of all species but is most commonly noted in dogs. The atrophy occurs within the muscle and stroma and leads to an irregular pupillary margin, holes in the iris, and sluggishness or absence of pupillary reflexes (FIGURE7).29 Especially in the early stages, it causes a mild anisocoria because 1 side is mo...
Lenticular changes are common in aging dogs. Nuclear sclerosis, an increased density and hardening of the lens nucleus associated with a progressively gray opacity in the center of the lens, is found in all dogs older than 7 years (FIGURE8A).30 Nuclear sclerosis is visible to the naked eye as cloudiness of the lens; thus, owners often present their...
Vitreal opacities called asteroid hyalosis (FIGURE9) or synchysis scintillans are small, sparkly particles of calcium and phosphorus or lipid, respectively. These changes occur in aging dogs or secondary to a history of inflammation.33The opacities (“floaters”) do not seem to influence vision in dogs. However, when advanced, their presence can make...
Hypertension-Associated Lesions
Systemic hypertension leads to ocular lesions in at least 62% of dogs.34 The retina and choroid are most commonly affected owing to the numerous small capillaries within the choroid susceptible to vascular ischemia, a condition known as hypertensive chorioretinopathy.34 The most common manifestation of canine hypertensive chorioretinopathy is retinal hemorrhage (ranging from petechiae to larger regions; FIGURE10), but other sequelae include serous retinal detachments, subretinal edema, and to...
Retinal Degeneration
Senile retinal degeneration is observed in dogs, but it is little studied.38In retinal degeneration, the photoreceptors degenerate, leading first to impaired vision in dim lighting (i.e., nyctalopia) due to loss of rods, then reduction of daytime vision due to loss of cones as the disease progresses. Senile retinal degeneration is typically slow (over months to years) and should only clinically affect senior patients. To assess the patient’s vision in light versus dark, perform a maze test. T...
While most of the above diagnoses can be detected or suspected on ocular examination, several require a few additional diagnostic tests and several require lifelong treatment or monitoring. Clear, up-front recommendations about why certain diagnostic tests and treatments are recommended and why some treatments are lifelong will greatly improve owne...
Oct 4, 2023 · Keep in mind that all dogs are different, so be sure to tailor your senior dog’s care to their specific needs. Make their lives more comfortable with age-appropriate exercise, proper diet, veterinary care, mental stimulation, and any special accommodations for aging joints and muscles. “Stay active,” Daley advises.
The other common cause of cloudy eyes in dogs is cataracts, and they’re different from nuclear sclerosis in every way that matters. They block light from entering the eye, creating blind spots in your pet’s vision. A large enough cataract can even cause complete blindness and discomfort. Although sometimes age related, cataracts have many ...
Nov 20, 2020 · Cataracts are a frequently occurring ailment among senior dogs, commonly first showing up in dogs who are around 6 to 8 years old. However, cataracts can affect dogs anywhere from puppyhood to old age, as they can be a result of trauma or infection to the eye. The change begins in the center of the lens and moves outward, which makes the eyes ...
- Ann-Marie Sharpe
- Dog Rescue Worker
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: The Soulful Gaze. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, with its deep, soulful eyes, is known for captivating hearts and making friends wherever they go.
- Boston Terrier: Record-Breaking Eyes. Boston Terriers, with their big, expressive eyes, have the largest eyes of any dog breed in the world. In fact, Bruschi, a Boston Terrier, holds the Guinness World Record for the dog with the largest eyes, each measuring an impressive 28mm in diameter.
- Shih Tzu: Hidden Gems. The adorable Shih Tzu, with their big, beautiful eyes hidden under their long, silky hair, is a popular choice for families and dog lovers alike.
- Basset Hound: The Melancholic Look. The Basset Hound, with their droopy, melancholic eyes, are a breed that can easily win over hearts. These dogs were originally bred for hunting purposes.
People also ask
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- Changing Dietary Needs: You May Need a New Food For Your Senior Canine. Senior dogs aren’t as mobile as they once were — they get tired quicker and often suffer from various aches and pains.
- Mobility Changes: Understand That Senior Dogs Slow Down. Your dog will be moving much less often as they get older. This means more napping and less chasing after squirrels (which can actually be a bonus).
- Hit the Snooze Button: Senior Dogs Sleep More. You’ll find your buddy will be napping and sleeping much more than he did previously. Dogs already sleep quite a lot, but older dogs sleep even more!
- You’ll Become Vet Office Regulars: Old Dogs Need Frequent Vet Visits. There’s no getting around it: Senior dogs require more frequent veterinary care than young whippersnappers do.
