What is Hyphema?
These sudden types of hyphema may be caused by many things such as glaucoma, retinal tears, or uveitis. There are several different ways this disorder may present itself such as tiny blood clots in the eye, a redness of the entire eye, or several layers of recurrent hyphema which shows as purple and bright red areas. Hyphema may be just an annoyance or a severe debilitating condition, depending on the cause and severity. Some of the secondary complications are adhesions, permanent blurred vision, and blindness.
Even if your dog’s eye is only a little bit red and does not seem to be painful or affecting vision, it could be a sign of an underlying disorder. For example, your pet may have high blood pressure or a clotting disease such as Von Willebrand’s Disease, hemophilia, or thrombocytopenia. If your dog has blood or discoloration in the eye, you should see a veterinary professional as soon as possible to prevent serious complications.
Hyphema is a hemorrhage in the eye between the cornea and the iris that causes the area to fill with blood. This condition usually occurs because of an injury but may happen spontaneously.
Hyphema Average Cost
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Symptoms of Hyphema in Dogs
The symptoms of hyphema are varied, depending on the cause. However, some of the most common are:
- Redness in the eye
- Cloudiness of the eye
- Pool of blood in the iris or cornea
- Squinting (blepharospasm)
- Eye pain
- Keeping eye closed
- Vision loss (bumping into objects)
Types
- Traumatic hyphema is a condition caused by an injury to the head or eye
- Secondary hyphema may be caused by many different diseases and disorders
Causes of Hyphema in Dogs
- Trauma
- Uveitis (inflammation of the eye)
- Intraocular neoplasia (tumor)
- Retinal detachments or tears
- Systemic hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Coagulation factor abnormalities
- Platelet disorders such as leukemia, anemia, lymphoma, and blood loss.
- Hyperviscosity
- Congenital ocular anomalies
- Anterior segment neovascularization
- Glaucoma
- Lungworm
- Rat poison ingestion
Diagnosis of Hyphema in Dogs
It is important to have your pet checked out by your veterinarian as soon as possible if you suspect hyphema because it could be a sign of a secondary condition that may be serious. In fact, it may be an early symptom of an illness that could be life threatening, so it is best to get it checked out. The veterinarian will need to discuss your dog’s medical history and recent vaccination records. Be sure to let the veterinarian know if you have given your pet any medication or supplements of late because some products can mimic or mask symptoms and affect the treatment plan.
A comprehensive physical examination will be done including checking your dog's reflexes, pupil reaction time, mucous membrane color, blood pressure, respirations, and breath sounds. In addition, the veterinarian will do a detailed optical assessment and run some diagnostic tests. Some of these tests will include a fluorescein stain test, tonometry, ocular ultrasound, Schirmer tear testing, cytology, x-rays, and slit lamp examination. Laboratory tests may include a urinalysis, fungal and bacterial cultures, and additional blood marker evaluation to investigate secondary causes.
Treatment of Hyphema in Dogs
The treatment depends on what is causing the hyphema and how severe it is. For example, if your dog had an eye injury and there are no other complications, there may be no need to treat the eye because it will go away on its own. For other causes of hyphema, the underlying problem has to be treated.
Ulceration
Treatment usually includes antibiotic drops, topical atropine, and oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Your dog may need to wear a cone to prevent rubbing. If there is an underlying cause of the ulceration, such as Dry Eye, this will need to be treated as well.
Glaucoma
To treat glaucoma, prostaglandin, mannitol, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitor may be prescribed. Surgical options include laser cyclophotocoagulation, anterior shunts, evisceration, or enucleation.
Uveitis
Topical atropine, prednisone drops, NSAIDs, or systemic steroid cream may be used.
Intraocular Neoplasia (tumor)
In this case, the tumor will need to be removed, which typically means enucleation of the eye. Other treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, may be used in some situations.
Systemic Hypertension
If your dog is found to have high blood pressure, beta blockers or ACE inhibitors may be prescribed. The veterinarian will also want to look into the cause of the hypertension.
Other Causes
Other causes of hyphema will require further examination and possibly a visit to a specialist. Your veterinarian will refer you to who you need to see.
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Recovery of Hyphema in Dogs
After treatment, you may need to keep your pet in a crate or a small room to prevent accidents. Exercise will be limited; each case will be individually assessed as to when to return to normal activity. In some instances, eye drops or medicated ointment will be required on a daily basis during the recovery period or longer. Return for follow up must always be adhered to, per the veterinary team’s recommendations.
Hyphema Average Cost
From 303 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,500
Average Cost
$750
Top
Hyphema Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Boston Terrier
Bogey
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hyphema
My 1 yr old Boston Terrier was staying at the 'Bed & Breakfast' at his vet. When we dropped him off, the vet techs came out and put him on a slip lead, which he didn't like. My husband and I didn't feel right about leaving him there so we picked him up after spending 2 nights there. When we picked him up, his eyes show what I now know is called hyphema. I'm worried because the ER vet said my dog wouldn't allow them to check his eye pressure. I'm so worried about his eyesight. Shouldn't they have sedated him? What if he has torn retinas. Then they tell me the hyphema could have resulted from strangulation with the slip lead. In reality, we don't know how severe it is because they didn't test him.But, it appears really bad.
April 2, 2018
0 Recommendations
Hyphema may be something simple or something complex and without a thorough examination of the eye including with an ophthalmoscope and tonopen it is difficult to determine the severity of any injury; choke chains are not something I agree with as they can cause severe injury especially if used badly. Sedation is not always an ideal solution since we like patients to be as ‘normal’ as possible during an examination so that we don’t pass over a symptom. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 2, 2018
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Chihuahua
Bean
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bloody Eye
We noticed our Chihuahua Bean has blood pooling under his eyelid. He's four years old. In perfect health other than the eye. No preexisting conditions. Yesterday he tried jumping on the couch but missed and hit is face off the glass coffee table. The glass didn't break.
March 27, 2018
0 Recommendations
It is possible that the presence of blood is just due to a ruptured capillary, you should monitor the eye for any changes and for the blood to disappear. But any trauma to the head should be checked by your Veterinarian to be on the safe side. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 27, 2018
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Chihuahua
Shelby
7 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Red Eye
My 7 year old chihuahua has had poor vision since I rescued her when she was a puppy. Her right eye has cataracts for the last couple of years. Recently (past 2 weeks) her left eye has taken on a red color and it sounds like Hyphema from everything I have read online. Other than the limited vision issue, she seems totally fine. Eating, playing, snuggling, going on walks, etc. Shows zero signs of pain. If she appeared to be in any pain, we would have already taken her to the vet. Any thoughts? Thank you so much.
March 4, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. If Shelby has blood in the chamber of her eye, she will need medical treatment, as she is at risk of glaucoma without resolution of that condition. it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian. I hope that all goes well for her.
March 5, 2018
Thank you for your help. I will have her eye looked at and hope for the best. I appreciate your quick response.
March 5, 2018
Shelby's Owner
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Razorback Pitbull
Xena
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
No Pain
No Swelling
Dark Redness In Pupil And Iris
Loss Of Vision
Normal Discharge
Our 2 1/2 year old Pitbull woke up several days ago with her iris and pupil blood red. She got in to a fight with a cat about 2 months where the cat scratched her eye, but she was only in pain for one day. Several weeks ago she had pink eye, but that cleared up within a few days. She does not seem to be in any pain, but has shown signs of significant vision loss in that eye. After doing my own research, I believe she has hyphema, but am not 100% sure. What is your professional opinion and what steps should we be taking to help her?
Feb. 9, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. WIthout examining Xena and looking at her eye, I cannot give my professional opinion on what might be going on with her eye. It could be an infection, trauma, or systemic disease causing that change. It would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine her eye, determine what might be going on, and recommend appropriate medications. If she does have hyphema, it needs to be treated fairly aggressively, as she is at risk of developing glaucoma. I hope that everything goes well for her.
Feb. 9, 2018
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Hyphema Average Cost
From 303 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,500
Average Cost
$750
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