Hyphema in dogs is a relatively common eye condition that can be caused by numerous underlying health issues. Here, our South Florida vets explain what can cause blood to appear in your dog's eye, along with signs to watch for and potential diagnosis and treatment options.
What is hyphema?
Canine hyphema is a hemorrhage in the eye that occurs when blood fills the front of a dog's eye. More specifically, the blood accumulates in the anterior chamber, the space between the iris (the eye's colorful part) and the cornea (the clear tissue on the front of the eye that protects its inner structures).
A relatively common condition in dogs, hyphema is considered a medical emergency. If you notice blood in your dog's eye, it's it's important to bring them to a veterinarian right away for proper treatment.
Though hyphema is not a disease, it is a sign of an underlying health condition. It can range in severity from a mere annoyance to a severe, debilitating and painful condition, depending on the cause.
While hyphema is not life-threatening, the potential underlying causes of hyphema can be. For example, rat bait poisoning, which can cause hyphema, is life-threatening.
What are signs of hyphema?
Hyphema can appear as:
- Bright red blood spread through the front of the eye
- Small blood clots scattered through the eye or lines of blood accumulation
- Purple or bright red areas (which indicates several layers of recurrent hyphema)
Common signs and symptoms include:
- Pawing at the eye
- Squinting
- Blindness
Blood in a dog's eye can lead to secondary complications like adhesions, permanent blurred vision, and blindness if not treated correctly or promptly. Your dog may also be experiencing more symptoms related to the underlying cause of hyphema. Symptoms and causes vary widely among dogs.
Even if your dog's eye only appears to be a little bit red and does not seem to be painful or affecting vision, it could point to an underlying health issue like a blood clotting disease such as Van Willebrand's Disease, hemophilia, or thrombocytopenia.
It's critical to see a veterinarian at the first sign of any eye discoloration so the cause can be accurately diagnosed and treated, and to prevent serious complications.
What causes hyphema?
Hyphema usually occurs due to an injury but may happen spontaneously. The underlying cause of the condition is sometimes localized to the eye, like a tumor. However, eye diseases such as retinal tears, glaucoma, or uveitis, or systemic issues like high blood pressure (hypertension) or cancer can also cause hyphema in dogs.
Other causes include direct trauma to the eye or head, rat bat poisoning, eye cancer, retinal detachment, uveitis (swelling of the eye), glaucoma, infectious diseases like leptospirosis, and tick-borne diseases like ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Sometimes, congenital eye abnormalities (those present at birth) can predispose dogs to developing hyphema. Dog breeds that are particularly at risk include Labrador retrievers, Bedlington terriers, springer spaniels, border collies, and Sealyham terriers.
Depending on the underlying cause, one or both eyes may be affected. For example, cancer, retinal detachment, or trauma will typically only lead to hyphema in one eye, while high blood pressure, blood clotting abnormalities, and infectious diseases will affect both eyes.
How will a vet diagnose hyphema in dogs?
A vet will physically examine your dog to assess their health and any issues that may be contributing to the hyphema. Be prepared to tell the vet when you noticed the blood in your dog's eye, if you've noticed any other unusual symptoms, and whether your pet is taking any medications.
If injury or trauma to the head or eye are discovered, your vet may take an X-ray to assess the extent of the injury and plan appropriate treatment. They may also take X-rays of the chest and abdomen to look for cancer or infectious diseases. An ultrasound may reveal more detailed views of the soft tissues like abdominal organs and any problems there. They may also do bloodwork to look for blood clotting issues and problems with internal organs. A urinalysis may be done to look for signs of protein due to high blood pressure. A blood pressure test may be done to rule out hypertension.
Depending on the underlying cause or severity of hyphema, your veterinarian may refer you to our veterinary ophthalmologists at Animal Eye Guys for advanced diagnostics and treatment. The veterinary ophthalmologist will perform an eye exam to look for any abnormalities in the eye that may be contributing to your dog's symptoms and pinpoint the underlying issue. They may conduct specific diagnostic tests during the exam to find out what's causing the hyphema.These tests include:
- Tonometry – This test is used to check eye pressure. The veterinary ophthalmologist places a drop of numbing agent in the eye and uses a special device to gently tap the cornea. This test can reveal whether glaucoma or uveitis are present.
- Schirmer's Tear Test – A small strip of paper is put between the affected eyeball and eyelid to assess tear production. An abnormal result may be contributing to your dog's symptoms.
- Fluorescein Stain – A drop of green dye is applied to the affected eye to reveal scratches or ulcers in the cornea.
The diagnostic tests your dog will need will depend on their individual circumstances. Your vet or veterinary ophthalmologist can recommend and perform the appropriate tests.
How is hyphema in dogs treated?
Hyphema is curable in some dogs (especially those with mild disease) if prompt and effective treatment is provided. However, dogs with severe disease or those with significant eye damage will often have incurable hyphema, and prognosis is poor. Left untreated, damage to the eye is likely to be permanent.
Specific treatment for hyphema depends on the underlying cause, which can vary widely among dogs. Your veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist if your dog's case of hyphema doesn't seem to be healing. A vet or veterinary ophthalmologist can prescribe any medications or perform surgery that may be necessary for your dog's specific condition.
Potential treatment options for hyphema in dogs may include:
- Topical or systemic corticosteroids like dexamethasone or prednisone
- Topical mydriatic (dilating) medications like atropine
- Oral antibiotics for underlying infection, like doxycycline
- Surgery for traumatic eye injuries
- Eye removal surgery (enucleation) for severe cases
How can I help my dog recover from hyphema and manage their condition?
Some dogs, especially those with mild disease, will fully recover from hyphema. The condition may clear with treatment in a week or two. However, recovery may not be possible for dogs with extensive eye damage or with poor overall health.
Dogs who are recovering from hyphema will need to wear a cone to prevent scratching or pawing their eye while it heals. They should be encouraged to avoid exercise and you'll need to keep them calm and relaxed. Some particularly energetic dogs may require a calming mediation like a mild sedative such as trazodone during recovery, which your veterinarian can prescribe.
How can I prevent my dog from developing hyphema?
Hyphema can develop due to an underlying disease like cancer or a congenital abnormality. In these instances, management of the underlying health condition can slow the development of hyphema but may not prevent it entirely. However, prompt treatment of any eye inflammation or swelling can prevent damage and development of hyphema if detected early enough.
By keeping up on your dog's preventive care and parasite prevention, you can prevent infectious diseases that may develop into hyphema. For this reason, it's important to visit your primary vet regularly for checkups and make an appointment for an exam if you notice any changes in their health. This will allow your vet the opportunity to diagnose health issues early and prevent secondary complications, including hyphema.
In many cases, keeping your dog away from hazardous objects that may cause injury to the eye and keeping rat poison out of your dog's reach can greatly reduce the risk of hyphema developing.
Veterinary Ophthalmology at Animal Eye Guys
Dogs can develop minor or severe eye conditions that may cause pain and discomfort, and impact their vision. While some of these are age-related, others may be injuries, diseases, or genetic problems.
No matter the issue, a veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist should promptly assess any signs of discomfort or loss of sight. Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment are important to ensuring the best possible outcome for your dog's health.
Depending on the cause and unique circumstances surrounding your dog's vision loss, one of our board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists may recommend eye (ocular) surgery to treat the condition or disease, or to repair an injury sustained through trauma.
We understand that the idea of bringing your pet in for surgery can be daunting. Please rest assured that we recommend surgery only when it is in your four-legged companion's best interests.
If your dog is experiencing signs of symptoms of vision loss or an eye disease, request an appointment at any of our clinic's locations in South Florida.
Note: Animal Eye Guys specializes in treating eye conditions and illnesses. The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical or behavioral advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet for an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition.