There are some common eye problems in French Bulldogs that we want to explore here. Dogs, like any other domestic animal, can have health issues that affect their quality of life. Unfortunately, one of the most common illnesses that can afflict your French Bulldog is eye problems.
These disorders can be caused by a variety of variables, such as breed type, hereditary diseases, trauma, and infections, among others. Dry eye, entropion, corneal ulcers, and cataracts are all common eye problems in French Bulldogs.
Many eye abnormalities have been linked to bulldogs being brachycephalic (short snout). Their wrinkled features and protruding eyes make them more susceptible to eye disorders than other breeds. Many of these are also common English Bulldog eye problems.
Be sure to also check out signs of eye problems in dogs that are common to most all dogs.
Keratitis Sicca (Dry Eye)
Keratitis sicca, often known as “dry eye,” occurs when an ulcer affects your dog’s cornea. The cause is insufficient tear production. Tears are required for lubrication as well as overall eye health.
When your dog’s tears are insufficient, the surface of the eyes gets irritated and sore. This can result in the formation of ulcers and the development of painful and chronic eye infections.
These Frenchie eye problems can cause perforation of the eye in severe situations. In chronic cases of dry eye, the surface of the eye might scar, giving it a hazy, dull appearance. Dry eyes are frequently associated with autoimmune inflammation of the tear glands and can be a persistent, lifelong problem.
Symptoms
- Cloudy eyes.
- The appearance of dull and dry eyes
- Redness area around the whites of the eyes.
- Discharge of mucus from the eyes.
- Squinting or frequent blinking.
- Swollen tissue on the surface of the eye and eyelids
Treatment
Dry eye is typically treated with tear-stimulating medicines and topical antibiotics. In severe cases, surgical alternatives are possible.
Prevention
Preventive measures include regular eye exams. An eye exam and, in some cases, a test to detect the amount of tear production and moisture in the eye are used to make a diagnosis.
Cherry Eye
Cherry eye is a painful ailment and health issue that affects the third eyelid of a French Bulldog, known as the haw, and is a breed feature. It occurs when the gland on the third eyelid bursts or bulges out of place.
As a result, it swells outside of the eye, resulting in the unattractive “cherry eye”. Cherry eye is a congenital condition that runs in families, but the mode of inheritance is unknown.
Symptoms
- Similar to an eye tumor.
- Excessive tears discharge from the eye.
- A brilliant red mass projecting from the pupil.
Treatment
Cherry eye may require surgical correction to relocate the third eyelid and tear gland.
Prevention
Once again, regular eye exams are recommended.
Distichiasis
Distichiasis are eye problems in French Bulldogs in which too many eyelashes grow along the inner surface of their eyelid. It may cause irritation and the development of corneal ulcers because of the inflammation. The corneal ulcers may not heal.
Distichiasis can arise at anytime during a dog’s life. There is no evidence that this is an inherited disorder; however, it appears likely due to the high occurrence in specific breeds, such as French Bulldogs.
Symptoms
- Eye discomfort
- Excessive eye lashes
Treatment
Hair removal (by a veterinarian) is usually the remedy.
Prevention
Preventive measures include regular eye check-ups.
Entropion
Another one of the eye problems in French Bulldogs is one in which the eyelashes grow inward, rubbing against the eyeball.
It can result in a reddish, inflamed eye, serious infections, and/or a deep corneal ulcer. It is also thought to be an inherited condition and are also common English Bulldog eye problems.
Symptoms
- Inflamed eye.
- Redness in the eye.
Treatment
Eyelid surgery
Prevention
Preventive measures include regular eye exams.
Corneal Ulcers
Corneal ulcers are particularly common in French Bulldogs due to their large eyes.
It is a painful eye ailment caused by injuries to the cornea of the dog’s eye. This can manifest as:
- A scrape or injury to the eye.
- Eyelashes or facial hairs.
- Eye irritation.
- An absence of moisture in the eye.
- A bacterial infection.
- From environmental particles such as dust and sand.
Symptoms
- Consistent eye rubbing
- Keeping one eye closed at all times.
Treatment
Corneal ulcers can be difficult and expensive to heal, and they can lead to blindness. In mild situations, the ulcers can heal with your veterinarian’s treatment.
Prevention
The easiest method to avoid it is to keep your French Bulldogs’ eyes safe from harm.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a condition in which the natural lens of the eye becomes clouded, resulting in decreased vision clarity and eventually blindness. Cataracts may stay the same size and shape throughout time or they may grow.
Juvenile cataracts, a genetic cataract disorder, can affect French Bulldogs as early as 15 months of age. This type of hereditary cataract is invariably bilateral (affects both eyes) and advances quickly.
If a puppy has cataracts, it signifies that BOTH parents are carriers for the ailment. Cataracts can also develop as a result of:
- Eye trauma.
- Nutritional problems in puppies.
- Or as a result of other eye illnesses.
- Metabolic disease such as diabetes.
Symptoms
- A tendency of colliding with things.
- Uncertainty in unexpected situations.
- Bluish, grey, or white color change within the eye.
- Eye inflammation or redness.
- Squinting and pain
- Aversion to climbing the stairs or jumping onto the couch.
Treatment
There are no medical treatments available to reverse, prevent, or decrease cataracts. A veterinary ophthalmologist can decide whether a dog is a candidate for cataract surgery.
Prevention
Cataracts are typically a hereditary trait. If your dog has inherited the HSF4 gene, there isn’t much you can do to prevent it. However, if you are seeking to purchase a French Bulldog puppy and are concerned, commercial genetic testing (CERF examination) is available.
Eye Problems in French Bulldogs
As with just about any dog, there are certain health issues with French Bulldogs. Eye problems in French Bulldogs are prominent with the breed but that should not deter you from having one or two of these great breeds.
The pro’s outweigh the con’s. They are great dogs for your family, one of the best non-shedding small dogs, and fit well into just about any home.
They are also on our list of best low energy small dogs.
Just be aware of Frenchie eye problems and look out for any issues that may arise. Proper nutrition is also an important part of a dog’s health along with feeding the right amount. It is also good to note that there are many human foods that should never be fed to your dog. See my post on What Human Food is Bad for Dogs.
Please see my article on mini schnauzer health issues to get some help with the schnauzer breed.
As always, thank you for visiting Small Dog Living and leave us a comment if you can.
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