Regular cleaning is not enough to ensure the healthy condition of a Jack Russell Terrier’s eyes. Knowing some of the common eye problems is one way of protecting their eyes from impairment and complete blindness.
Cataracts – A cataract is a hereditary disease characterizes by cloudiness or spot on the lens of the eye. This condition occurs when there is a loss of normal transparency on the lens of the eye. This problem blurs the vision and may lead to blindness if not treated as time goes by. To prevent cataract from progressing into blindness, it should be treated usually through surgical removal of the lens.
Cataract is assumed as a hereditary disease but this may also caused by eye injury, exposure to great heat, radiation, diabetes and old age. Other reasons for the occurrence of cataracts include inflammation, specific metabolic diseases, persistent papillary membrane (PPM) or lack of nourishment.
Distichiasis – Distichiasis occurs when there is an abnormal growth of small hair structures on the inner surface of the upper or lower eyelids. This abnormal hair growth causes irritation to the cornea. The affected eye will become red, inflamed or may develop a discharge and in some severe cases, the cornea may become ulcerated and appear bluish in color. If left untreated, these hairs can cause irritation and may result to blindness if infections develop.
Distichiasis is treated surgically wherein the lid is split and the areas with abnormal hairs are removed. Antibiotic eye drops is used to help eliminate infections in surgery. Electro-epilation is done through passing of a fine needle into the hair follicle. That follicle is then burned in order to destroy the hair and its roots.
Glaucoma – Glaucoma is more common in dogs than in cats. It is a condition of an increased pressure within the eyeball. As the pressure in the eye increases, the cells of vision in the retina on the posterior surface of the eye become damaged and lose the vision. There are two forms of glaucoma; the primary and secondary. Primary glaucoma is caused by an inherited abnormal angle at the point where the iris and the cornea meets thus obstructing the exit of fluid from the eye. Secondary glaucoma is caused by inflammation of structures within the eye. This inflammation can be due infections or autoimmune disease, trauma or cancer.
Signs of glaucoma include dilated pupil, cloudiness within the cornea and/or enlargement of the blood vessels in the white portion of the eye called sclera. See your veterinarian for advice on how this disease is treated.
And you must always remember that dogs affected with any of these diseases should not be included in any breeding programs to eliminate the spread of diseases among dogs.
There are lots of options to consider when you need to travel and you will be leaving your Jack Russell Terrier behind. You can let your pet stay at home and have a friend, a neighbor or someone trustworthy go by your house to feed, give water and look after your dog. Other options are boarding kennel or professional pet sitter. But there are also many reasons why you have to travel with your Jack Russell Terrier; a trip to the veterinarian, the possibility of moving to a new place or travel just for fun and pleasure. With all the characteristics and abilities of a Jack Russell Terrier, you can't expect this breed of dog to stay at home forever.
However, some owners face problems when taking their pets to travel. Dogs not used to traveling may experience motion sickness or worst you might end up going home alone because you lost your dog while traveling.
Here are some points to remember to make traveling with your dog enjoyable and safe:
Health. Before traveling, or even before planning the trip, have your pet examined by your veterinarian. Check if he is in good condition to travel and make sure all his vaccinations are up to date. Vaccination is one sure way of protecting your Jack Russell Terrier from ailments he could contract while traveling.
Food and Water. It's just right to bring these essential items. Bringing a bottle full of drinking water will ensure that your dog gets the needed moisture. You might also want to bring a bowl because some dogs will not drink in bottle. Bringing you dog's regular food will ensure that he gets the nutrition he needed without having to worry of diarrhea or problem related to digestive system if you switched to other brands in case his regular food is not available.
Identification. Attaching collar tags containing correct information will increase the chances of recovery in case Fluffy run away.
First Aid Kit. Accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. It's good to have a first aid kit just in case.
In the car. Do not allow your Jack Russell Terrier to stick his head out of the window or let him ride in the back of an open truck as this may lead to injuries. Another thing, do not let your dog sit on your lap while driving, instead use a seat belt or crate to restrain him.
When traveling. It is good to stop frequently for exercise and potty breaks and then give him a few toys to play with to entertain him while on journey.
The most important thing is, never ever leave your dog unattended in the car because a lot of things can happen without you around.
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