The eyes are the windows to your dog's body. Eyes not only allow your dog to see, but they also express emotion and can reveal health issues that may be developing. Fortunately, many dog eye problems can be improved with CBD oil.
First, it’s important to understand which eye conditions are most prevalent in our dogs. Then, we’ll explain how CBD can help prevent or manage these conditions.
Three of the most common dog eye health concerns include:
1) Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis in dogs is a painful and potentially serious condition. The conjunctiva is a mucous membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the white part of the eye. It also covers the surface of the eyeball itself.
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which can be caused by many different things. Dogs with conjunctivitis may have redness, swelling, and discharge from one or both eyes. The discharge may be clear or yellowish-green but can also be thick and sticky like pus or even blood-tinged. Eye pain and squinting are usually present as well.
The most common cause of conjunctivitis in dogs is infection with Bordetella bronchiseptica, which causes kennel cough in dogs. Other infectious organisms that can cause conjunctivitis include chlamydia, herpesvirus, and corneal ulceration (corneal ulcer).
2) Glaucoma
Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness in humans. It’s also a leading cause of blindness in dogs, but it can be treated if caught early enough.
Glaucoma can cause damage to your dog's optic nerve, which leads from the eye to the brain and helps process visual information. If this nerve is damaged by glaucoma or any other condition that increases pressure inside the eye, it could lead to permanent vision loss.
Glaucoma is a common cause of blindness in dogs, and it's important to diagnose and treat this disease as soon as possible so that you can keep your dog's vision.
Treatment for glaucoma usually involves eye drops or pills that help reduce intraocular pressure (IOP). The most common treatments include pilocarpine, acetazolamide, and brimonidine tartrate. If your vet gives you any kind of prescription medication for your pet’s glaucoma, make sure you give it exactly as prescribed so it will be effective—and don't forget to administer any supplements!
3) Cherry Eye
Cherry eye, which is caused by a prolapsed lacrimal sac, is very common in dogs and usually affects the left eye. It can be either congenital or acquired and can affect any breed of dog, but it’s more common with certain breeds such as the Poodle, Yorkshire terrier, Maltese, and Boston terrier.
The most common cause of cherry eye is trauma to the face, such as getting hit by a car or being dropped as an infant. This causes one or both of your pet’s tear glands to prolapse out of their normal position under their eyelid.
These glands are located just below where the third eyelid (also known as the nictitating membrane) attaches to your pet’s nose; they produce tears that moisten its eyes while also filtering them during blinking motions so they don't dry out too much or irritate tissues within your pet's eye sockets.
CBD Can Be a Part of Your Dog’s Eye Care
CBD oil for eye health is a new treatment option that has been gaining popularity in recent years.
The research on CBD and its benefits on eye health for dogs is still in the early stages, but thus far, there are promising results from several studies. The endocannabinoid system is known to be involved in many physiological functions, including vision. This might explain why there are so many anecdotal reports about CBD helping with eye-related problems.
Researchers have found that CBD may improve glaucoma, lower intraocular pressure, and prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD), all of which are major benefits for your dog’s eye health.
The following are ways CBD, a compound found in Canine Cush, can help your dog with ailments associated with their eyes:
1) Reducing Inflammation
CBD is used as an anti-inflammatory because it blocks the inflammatory pathways that cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and redness.
CBD reduces inflammation by affecting the levels of various chemicals in the body. These include:
- Prostaglandins - Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that are produced by almost all cells in the body. They are involved in regulating blood pressure and maintaining the integrity of cells. Certain prostaglandins are responsible for triggering inflammation while others inhibit it.
- Cytokines - Cytokines are proteins released by cells that trigger immune responses or inflammation.
- Leukotrienes - Leukotrienes are another type of chemical released during an inflammatory response that also triggers allergies and asthma symptoms.
This can be helpful in reducing inflammation caused by conjunctivitis, dry eyes, or cherry eye.
2) Reducing Pain and Intraocular Pressure
CBD’s pain-killing effects work by reducing inflammation in the body and brain, which reduces the perception of pain. This means that CBD oil can be used for chronic pain management as well as for quick relief from acute pain.
A 2014 study found that CBD could be used to treat glaucoma because it protects nerve cells and lowers the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure, or IOP). This means that it reduces pressure inside the eye by opening up blood vessels in the eye, which reduces fluid buildup and thus lowers IOP.
3) Increased Antioxidants
According to research published by the National Institute of Health (NIH), cannabinoids like CBD have been shown to have antioxidant properties and can help protect the eyes from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
This is especially important because free radicals can cause damage to the cells in our body, which leads to cell death or cellular dysfunction, leading to degenerative diseases of our dog’s eyes.
Make a Plan Regarding Eye Care For Your Dog
Eye conditions in dogs can cause a lot of pain and discomfort for your pet. Luckily, there are many treatments available that can help both the dog and its owner. If you suspect that your dog has an eye condition, it is important to make an appointment with a veterinarian as soon as possible so they can determine what treatment plan would be best suited for them!
Remember, if you are looking to go a more natural route, contacting a holistic or integrative veterinarian is recommended.
We also recommend a lab-tested, THC-free, CBD product, like Canine Cush, as a dog eye health supplement.
Read more:
Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol
Cannabidiol Signaling in the Eye and Its Potential as an Ocular Therapeutic Agent
Patients Interested in Whether CBD Has a Role in Eye Health
Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours
Photo by Simon Hesthaven on Unsplash