Glaucoma is a condition where the pressure inside the eye increases to the point that it produces changes in the structures and function of the eye.  Glaucoma often leads to blindness.  The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists has defined 42 different breeds of dogs and 3 breeds of cats with a genetic predisposition toward glaucoma. 

If diagnosed early and properly medicated, the pressure in the eye controlled, and the animal’s vision can be saved.

Our pets have the same symptoms as humans. The early warning signs of glaucoma are typically blurring vision, and chronic headaches. Unfortunately, our pets cannot tell us when their vision is blurred or if they are having headaches. 

Often glaucoma has advanced and the pet is displaying obvious symptoms (very red painful eyes, cloudy corneas, markedly swollen, protruded eyes) before the owner is aware of the problems.  Once it has reached this point is it almost always too late to save the animal’s sight and in many cases it is too late to even save the eye. 

Early diagnosis is best made by measuring the pressure within the eye.  This is a painless procedure and done with a tonometer.  Unfortunately, the “normal” measurement has a wide variation, and it is best to establish a “normal for that individual”.  Ideally, this is done when the animal is young.   Once the normal is established, the pressures should be checked annually for changes which would be an early warning of glaucoma. The measurement can easily be done when the animal receives its vaccinations. 

Veterinary ophthalmologists are recommending monitoring the eye pressure in all breeds of dogs, and especially for those breeds with established genetic predispositions for glaucoma. Pressures should be monitored in adult animals annually even if puppy/kitten normals are not available for comparison.   

DOG BREEDS WITH A PREDISPOSITION TO GLAUCOMA

• Afghan
• Akita
• Alaskan Malamute
• Basset Hound
• Beagle
• Border Collie
• Boston terrier
• Bouvier des Flandres
• Cairn terrier
• Cardigan Welsh corgi
• Chihuahua
• Chow Chow
• Cocker Spaniel
• Dachshund
• Dalmatian
• Dandie Dinmont terrier
• English springer spaniel
• Giant schnauzer
• Great Dane
• Maltese
• Manchester terrier
• Miniature pinscher
• Norfolk terrier
• Norwegian elkhound
• Norwich terrier
• Pembroke Welsh corgi
• Poodle
• Saluki
• Samoyed
• Scottish terrier
• Sealyham terrier
• Shih tzu
• Siberian husky
• Skye terrier
• Smooth-coated fox terrier
• Welsh Springer spaniel
• Welsh terrier
• West Highland white terrier
• Whippet
• Wire-haired fox terrier

CAT BREEDS WITH A GENETIC PREDISPOSITION FOR GLAUCOMA:

• Persian
• Siamese
• Some domestic shorthairs