Preface

Checking the conjunctiva is very simple and there is no special method. Simply open the upper and lower eyelids of the dog and perform the examination. During the examination, the dog should be properly secured to prevent biting. When checking the conjunctiva, it is best to do it under natural light. Poor light is not conducive to observation, and strong light can easily cause discomfort in dogs.

The inspection items usually include the following:

1、 Eyelids and secretions: If a large amount of serous, mucous, or purulent secretions flow out from the conjunctival sac, it is often related to febrile diseases and local inflammation that invade mucosal tissue. Conjunctival swelling is caused by inflammation leading to serous infiltration and bruising edema.

2、 Conjunctival color: The color of the conjunctiva is determined by the quantity and nature of blood in the submucosal capillaries, as well as the content of bilirubin in the blood and lymphatic fluid. Normally, the visible mucosa of healthy dogs is moist, shiny, and light red in color. The change in conjunctival color can not only reflect local lesions, but also infer the systemic circulation status and changes in certain blood components, which has certain significance in diagnosis and prognosis. Common manifestations include flushing, pallor, cyanosis, and jaundice.

1. Red tide: It is a sign of congestion of the subconjunctival capillaries. Red tide in one eye may be caused by local conjunctivitis, while if it is bilateral red tide, in addition to eye disease, it may also be a systemic circulatory problem.

2. Pale: The color of the conjunctiva is light, even appearing grayish white, which is a characteristic of anemia. If the condition develops rapidly and there are corresponding changes in symptoms of the whole body and other organs and systems accompanied by acute blood loss, major trauma, internal bleeding, or visceral rupture may be considered. Chronic progressive pale diseases with systemic nutritional failure are often characterized by chronic malnutrition or wasting diseases.

3. Cyanosis: presenting as a blue purple color, the result of an increase in reduced hemoglobin or the formation of a large amount of deformed hemoglobin in the blood. The common cause of cyanosis in the past was insufficient oxygenation of the lungs due to high inspiratory dyspnea or reduced lung breathing area. Or it may occur in systemic bruising, especially when there is impaired mental function.

4. Jaundice: The conjunctiva of the eye is stained yellow and located at the sclera, which is relatively easy to detect.