My daughter's Chis have eyes so large that they look like they're going to pop out of her face any minute. Every time around them I'm worried about the eyes getting injured constantly. Some breeds inherently have such protruding eyes. So bulging eyes are normal for some dogs, particularly in brachycephalic breeds.
However cute that might look, is it really normal in terms of function? Paired with the short snouts, these dogs are indeed prone to eye injuries.
The above term covers several eye problems associated with the anatomy of these breeds.
The eye sockets fail to accommodate the eyes making them bulge out. Eyelids might be unable to fully cover the eyes as well as they have the tendency to roll inward. The sheer exposed surface can cause excessive evaporation, resulting in dry eye.
Brachycephalic breeds are likely to suffer from eye injuries, inflammation, pain, even displacement or loss of an eye.
While not a symptom of a disease, bulging eyes in these dogs are a likely cause for one. If you do have one of these adorable dogs, the appearance of their eyes is normal for them, but it is a reason to be on high alert watching for problems.
Ocular proptosis describes a situation when the eyeball is displaced beyond the eyelids--meaning that even in the breeds with normally bulging eyes, it will bulge out even more. It usually takes blunt trauma for this to happen, but in brachycephalic breeds, because of their shallow orbits, it can happen much easier--even with facial skin accidentally pulled too hard.
Ocular proptosis is an emergency.
Glaucoma results in a bulging eye(s) appearance because of build-up of pressure within the eyeball(s). Anything that either blocks the drainage of fluid or increases fluid production can do this.
Early signs include redness in the whites of the eyes, enlarged pupils and an eyeball that is a bit larger or harder than usual. The more pressure builds up, the more the eye will bulge.
This is extremely painful and sadly, at the time the eye is visibly enlarged, vision has already been lost.
Glaucoma requires swift medical attention.
With extraocular myositis, it is only the white of the eyes that appear enlarged. This condition is quite rare, but one of my friends' dog had it. It is most likely to happen in young retrieving breeds. The underlying cause is thought to be allergies. It looks bad, but it is typically painless. If treated early, it has a good prognosis.This appearance can also occur in masticatory muscle myositis and tetanus.
Other causes that can push against the eye and result in a bulging eye include abscesses, hematomas, or tumors.
Abscesses too are extremely painful. The face around the eye is likely to be swollen as well.
***
If your dog has inherently bulgy eyes, watch carefully for problems or changes. If your dog's otherwise normally-looking eyes change appearance, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
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However cute that might look, is it really normal in terms of function? Paired with the short snouts, these dogs are indeed prone to eye injuries.
Brachycephalic ocular syndrome
The above term covers several eye problems associated with the anatomy of these breeds.
The eye sockets fail to accommodate the eyes making them bulge out. Eyelids might be unable to fully cover the eyes as well as they have the tendency to roll inward. The sheer exposed surface can cause excessive evaporation, resulting in dry eye.
Brachycephalic breeds are likely to suffer from eye injuries, inflammation, pain, even displacement or loss of an eye.
While not a symptom of a disease, bulging eyes in these dogs are a likely cause for one. If you do have one of these adorable dogs, the appearance of their eyes is normal for them, but it is a reason to be on high alert watching for problems.
Ocular proptosis
Ocular proptosis describes a situation when the eyeball is displaced beyond the eyelids--meaning that even in the breeds with normally bulging eyes, it will bulge out even more. It usually takes blunt trauma for this to happen, but in brachycephalic breeds, because of their shallow orbits, it can happen much easier--even with facial skin accidentally pulled too hard.
Ocular proptosis is an emergency.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma results in a bulging eye(s) appearance because of build-up of pressure within the eyeball(s). Anything that either blocks the drainage of fluid or increases fluid production can do this.
Early signs include redness in the whites of the eyes, enlarged pupils and an eyeball that is a bit larger or harder than usual. The more pressure builds up, the more the eye will bulge.
This is extremely painful and sadly, at the time the eye is visibly enlarged, vision has already been lost.
Glaucoma requires swift medical attention.
 |
| Glaucoma. Photo River Road Veterinary Clinic |
Extraocular myositis
With extraocular myositis, it is only the white of the eyes that appear enlarged. This condition is quite rare, but one of my friends' dog had it. It is most likely to happen in young retrieving breeds. The underlying cause is thought to be allergies. It looks bad, but it is typically painless. If treated early, it has a good prognosis.This appearance can also occur in masticatory muscle myositis and tetanus.
 |
| Extraocular myositis. Photo Lindsay Stordahl. Read Ace's story. |
Other causes
Other causes that can push against the eye and result in a bulging eye include abscesses, hematomas, or tumors.
Abscesses too are extremely painful. The face around the eye is likely to be swollen as well.
***
If your dog has inherently bulgy eyes, watch carefully for problems or changes. If your dog's otherwise normally-looking eyes change appearance, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
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Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog is a dog health advocacy guide 101. It covers a variety of common symptoms, including when each of them might be an emergency.
Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog now available in paperback and Kindle. Each chapter includes notes on when it is an emergency.
Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog is an award-winning guide to help you better understand what your dog is telling you about their health and how to best advocate for them.
Learn how to see and how to think about changes in your dog’s appearance, habits, and behavior. Some signs that might not trigger your concern can be important indicators that your dog needs to see a veterinarian right away. Other symptoms, while hard to miss, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or limping, are easy to spot but can have a laundry list of potential causes, some of them serious or even life-threatening.
Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog is a dog health advocacy guide 101. It covers a variety of common symptoms, including when each of them might be an emergency.
An award-winning guide for dog parents
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- 2017 Maxwell Award from the Dog Writers Association of America for a book on health, behavior, or general care.
- 2017 Morris Animal Foundation Canine Health Award for the best science-based book about canine health issues.
- 2018 Reader's Favorite Honorable Mention in Non-Fiction - Animals category
Great post and I do hope people get their pups to an eye doctor at the first sign of a problem. When I first adopted Red she was blind, and her eyes were really bulging out of her head. When we took her to the eye doctor to see if there was any way to get her vision back we were told her eyes were about to, literally, pop out of her head due to glaucoma which was a very painful condition. Thank goodness we took her because you never would have known she was in pain. We did fix her eyes with an injection in each one which shrunk her eyeballs. I have no idea what drug was used but it was incredible to see the difference.
ReplyDeletePoor baby; yes, glaucoma not only causes blindness but it is excruciatingly painful.
DeleteI don't know why, but seeing/dealing with eye issues has always bothered me more than any other medical conditions (and I have a biology degree, so it takes a lot to bother me). Go figure, I've had two pets now with serious eye issues. It's great to get this info out there. Eye issues can be so painful, and usually the faster you start treating them the better the outcome.
ReplyDeleteYes, eye problems can hurt tremendously as well as cause blindness and get horribly bad fast.
DeleteSo many different causes of bulging eyes...As always, a very informative post.
ReplyDeleteThank you :-)
DeleteLayla with age has started cataracts but the vet is not concerned and we are monitoring it, it is in one eye only and I feel unless it starts causing other problems am letting nature take its course. At her age I do not want to start with operations as even the vet says it will not make a difference
ReplyDeleteThey do have some cataract-dissolving drops out there; maybe it's worth looking into.
DeleteI’m always worried someone is going to get the Persians in the eyes when they play. But they are more drain-y and squishy than bulging. The eyes in peeks and pugs and frenchies scare me. People think the big eyes are so cute but sometimes it seems so extreme
ReplyDeleteYes, that's exactly my feeling; I can't watch as they are sticking out so badly I expect an injury every second.
DeleteVery informative. I never realized there could be so many reasons for bulging eyes. Last time I was at the vet with Lola, the vet said her eyes looked a little cloudy. I'll be keeping an eye on that.
ReplyDeleteThere is one type of cloudiness that is benign and comes with age. Perhaps that's what that is? I wrote an article on cloudy eyes also.
DeleteMy sister had a Pug, so I was aware of the possible medical problems Pugs can have. Thankfully haven't had to deal with any of my dogs having a medical issue with their eyes. I had no idea that glaucoma can make eyes bulge too.
ReplyDeleteIncreasing pressure surely can make things bulge.
DeleteI have to watch Truffle and Brulee's eyes very closely because they have the flatter faces of Persian cats. I'm always afraid one of them is going to hurt the other with their claws when they rough house. Truffle had an ulcer last summer.
ReplyDeleteGood to know! I didn't realize that so many different health conditions could cause the eyes to bulge, and it's just not worth it to hope it's a less serious, painless cause.
ReplyDelete