Question:
Hi, I have always noticed that my two year old pointer had had slightly bloodshot eyes but only in the evenings and nights. The last two nights I have noticed that the whites of his eyes are very red. He has absolutley no discharge from his eyes and he isn't showing any signs of discomfort or temperment change. I was just wondering if dogs can get eye strain or if maybe his eye sight is going and I will have a blind dog in the future (don't get me wrong I would never give him up or put down because he may become blind...he would learn to adapt and so would we and I would love him as much as I do now). Thanks for any input on this...oh for a further note the vet said there is limited tests she can do for sight.

Answer:
Hi
Does he feel feverish? It may be an underlying infection that has spread...to the blood.
Please seek the advice of a vet as soon as possible.

Answer:
I have always noticed that my two year old pointer had had slightly bloodshot eyes but only in the evenings and nights
This is just a random thought, but do you use a choke chain when you walk him?

Answer:
yes we do...he walks great now without it but up until about 6 months ago he was on a choke chain

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I don't think it is an infection that has spread at all, he has had it all his life and like I said there is no change in temperment of personality...I just wanted to know if maybe he has an eye condition

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Well if you made him stop drinking....................................

Answer:
Vision tests for blindness are always difficult but I would be concerned about nightblindness causing strain. Vision may be reduced during the night but fine during the day. Tests that can be carried out would entail an obstacle in light and then in a dimmed environment or involved dropping a cotton ball in front of the eye to watch the movement etc.

To get a better idea of the actual integrity of vision and health of the eye, a full opthalmoscopic exam including visualising the structures of the back of the eye - the retina and optic nerve, would be required.

It is not a secret that most veterinarians have a weak point with eyes since the training of the eye at the universities is really not comprehensive enough. You may want to find a Veterinarian that is more experienced with eyes, or you may want to express concern to your Veterinarian and ask her for a referral to an Ophthalmologist.



Martin Slome DVM

Centre Street Animal Hospital
7700 Bathurst Street
Units 40-42
Thornhill, On.
L4J 7Y3
Tel: (905) 771-9855

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