Glaucoma In Shiba Inus (Signs, Symptoms & Treatment)

Shiba Inus, like other dog breeds, are vulnerable to illnesses. There are many illnesses that attack dogs, and Glaucoma is one of them. Now, you might want to know, what does Glaucoma look like in Shiba Inus?

Glaucoma is a fluid buildup that affects your Shibas eye and damages the optic nerve, thus making your fur friend completely blind. The illness results from fluid buildup in your Shibas eyes.

If you detect it early, you can use medication for treatment. Vets use a tonometer or too-pen to test for Glaucoma. Ideally, your Shibas eye pressure should be below 20.

Glaucoma is a disease common in older dog breeds, like Shiba Inus, basal breeds. Read further below to learn more about Glaucoma in Shiba Inus.

Glaucoma In Shiba Inus (What Is It)

Glaucoma is an eye disease resulting from fluid build-up inside your Shibas eye. The continuous accumulation of the fluid destroys your Shibas optic nerve and can cause complete blindness.

However, it’s treatable if you realize it early enough. Besides, Glaucoma often affects older dog breeds. Also, dogs with a long and narrow eye shape are more vulnerable to Glaucoma.

You can treat it using medication or a correction surgery. That said, be observant of your Shibas eyes and notice any fluid build-up early enough. You can engage your vet and apply the best solution available.

Glaucoma in Shiba Inus isn’t curable; however, there are control measures that you can use to prevent blindness.

This illness attacks Shibas that are ageing. Besides, it often occurs in Shibas with pre-existing diabetic conditions and high blood pressure.

Now that you know what Glaucoma is, can we see whether it’s common in Shibas below? However, before going to that, let’s first see the types of Glaucoma.

Types Of Glaucoma in Shiba Inus

The two major types of Glaucoma that affect Shiba Inus include;

1. Primary Glaucoma
2. Secondary Glaucoma

What’s more about each;

1.     Primary Glaucoma

It’s hereditary. Primary Glaucoma is a situation where fluids in your Shibas eye dry up. It often results from excessive fluids.

If your Shiba Inus predecessor’s parents had this illness, there are high chances that your fur friend will develop the condition at some point in life.

Therefore, it is a hereditary condition. This means your Shiba Inus can inherit the illness from the parents of their lineage. Primary Glaucoma in Shiba Inus results in a pressure of 25-30 mmHg in your Shibas eye.

2.     Secondary Glaucoma

Secondary Glaucoma is not hereditary and can occur in any Shiba Inus. It causes a rise in your Shibas eye pressure.

Secondary Glaucoma is more severe than primary Glaucoma as it doubles the eye pressure.

You might want to check our article on, do Shiba Inus have health problems?

Is Glaucoma Common in Shiba Inu?

Yes, Glaucoma is common in Shiba Inus. It’s common in Shibas since they’re basal and ancient dog breeds. Research by the National Library of Medicine shows a 33% incident rate of Glaucoma in Shibas.

It’s an eye malfunction due to a lack of good fluid flow inside your Shibas eye. Therefore, the result is fluid buildup within the eye.

If you fail to seek treatment early enough, it leads to complete blindness. Also, Glaucoma is a chronic illness and is painful.

Of importance, it’s a hereditary disease thus recurs in Shibas, which were previously predisposed.

That said, you need to master the signs and symptoms. Also, you should visit your vet more often for check-ups. That way, they can discover early enough in case your Shibas develop Glaucoma.

Also, it starts from one eye and spreads to the other. So, seeking medical attention early enough helps maintain the condition.

You’re probably asking, what are the signs and symptoms of Glaucoma in Shiba Inus. Let’s answer that below.

What Are Signs and Symptoms of Glaucoma in Shiba Inus?

The key signs you should always look out for include red eyelids and puffy, swollen eyes.

Also, there’s possible mucus drainage. The eyelids appear swollen and have angry-looking vessels.

• Reddening and swelling of the affected eye
• Closing the affected eye or winking more than usual
• Depressed attitude, lethargy, and loss of appetite
• Scratching the eye using their paw
• Cloudy-looking eye with a milky white appearance
• An appearance of a film over the eye

Glaucoma acts like a sneaky bastard and thus can hit your Shiba Inus when they’re perfectly healthy. So, ensure to monitor the pressure of your Shibas eye regularly. You can have the vet help you with that.

The symptoms can appear on your Shiba Inus overnight. So, if you observe them, book a visit to your vet straight away.

I always recommend that pet owners have a go-to vet rather than guessing where to go in case of an illness.

Having your go-to vet helps as they have a good history of your dog. Of course, your vet won’t charge you an exorbitant price.

You don’t have to wait for the symptoms to visit the vet. Ensure you have a period after which you take your Shiba Inu for general check-ups.

Besides, if your Shiba has one eye that’s always ‘gunky’, inform the vet to check out the issue.

Can Shiba Inus Recover from Glaucoma?

Unfortunately, Shiba Inus cannot recover from this condition. However, you can use medication to maintain the condition and prevent it from worsening.

Although some bloggers argue that Glaucoma is rare in Shibas, I tend to disagree with that. From my analysis, Shibas often get Glaucoma.

A report by the National Library of Medicine published in PubMed identifies that the Glaucoma incident rate is around 33%. That’s too high. So, you need to check your Shiba Inus after every short period.

Therefore, if your Shiba gets Glaucoma, be sure to notice it early. You should, at least, see it within the first 24 hours.

Although Shibas don’t recover from the condition, you can prevent permanent damage. If you visit the vet, they’ll prescribe some medicines for your fur friend.

Some common Glaucoma prescriptions for Shibas include Dorzolamide with Timolol, and Latanoprost.

The first medicine, Dorzolamide, helps your Shiba Inus by decreasing fluid production within their eye.

In addition, Latanoprost also helps to flush out the fluid already in the eye. Flushing out the fluid reduces the pressure.

The good thing with diagnosing Glaucoma early is that you’re in a situation to control the damage. The window for diagnosis before permanent damage happens lasts anywhere from 24 hours.

What To Fear About the Vet You Go to For Glaucoma Diagnosis

Glaucoma isn’t usually common enough for vets to understand the exact things to look out for. So, most vets often diagnose Glaucoma as an infection.

Occasionally, your vet might send you home with an optical antibiotic or steroid without diagnosing the real issue. Antibiotics won’t help with swelling and redness.

Most vets might ask you to use the above medicines and check for improvement. Unfortunately, the misdiagnosis triggers permanent damage to your Shibas eye.

The reason for diagnosis with Glaucoma is that its test usually costs an extra charge. Now that they know you don’t like to spend money, they’ll send you home with the cheaper and easier options.

Nevertheless, you should insist on a Glaucoma test. The worst part is that for the few days you’re using antibiotics, you’re already causing permanent damage to the optical nerve.

So, in such a case, it’s up to you (the Shibas owner) to know more about your Shibas health than your vet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Early Signs of Glaucoma in Shiba Inus?

The early signs of Glaucoma include squinting or inability to open the eye and cloudiness of the cornea.

Other early signs of this condition include an elevated third eyelid, a dilated pupil, or enlargement of the eye. Visual impairment of the eye comes in the early stages.

Is Glaucoma in Shiba Inus Life Threatening?

Glaucoma in Shiba Inus isn’t life-threatening but causes irreversible blindness. Treating it early only helps to maintain the condition from worsening.

So, take your fur friend to the vet immediately if you observe any funny signs. The vet can assist you in preventing your Shiba from suffering complete blindness.

What Can I Do If My Shiba Inus Has Glaucoma?

If you discover that your Shiba Inus has Glaucoma, you should get some anti-glaucoma eye drops.

Glaucoma needs lifelong treatment since it’s a chronic illness. When it’s impossible to reduce the pressure, surgery treatment helps to bring the pain to an end.

Can Glaucoma in Dogs Be Reversed?

No, Glaucoma in Shiba Inus and other dogs isn’t reversible. The only solution is a lifelong treatment.

Also, when applying lifelong treatment, you have to be consistent. Ensure to put the correct number of drops at the given intervals.

What Causes Sudden Glaucoma in Shiba Inus?

This medical condition often occurs as inherited anatomical abnormalities. However, secondary Glaucoma happens due to an increase in intraocular pressure due to an injury or a disease.

The more common cause of Glaucoma in Shibas is a result of inheritance abnormalities.

The Wrap Up, Glaucoma in Shiba Inus

Glaucoma is common, especially in Shiba Inus. So, it’s one thing you don’t want to overlook when caring for your Shiba. Worst of all, it can lead to partial or complete blindness.

Other effects that result from Glaucoma include pain in the eye. This causes your Shiba a lot of discomfort; thus, keep rubbing the eye.

That said, you anything seems off with your Shibas pupil, get in touch with the vet immediately. Also, ensure to contact a vet with experience. Glaucoma needs special attention and treatment.

The only secret with Glaucoma is realizing the signs and symptoms early. If you recognize your pooch being uneasy with their eye, check it out and stop them from rubbing.