When do puppies open their eyes and what does it depend on?

All newly born creatures are extremely defenseless and vulnerable, including newborn puppies. They, like other kids of animals, need special care, warmth and affection, as they are born blind and deaf. Let's look at when their eyes open and why it happens over time.

It should be said that newborn puppies immediately begin to distinguish smells and feel the heat, but here hearing and vision erupt somewhat later, and this period is called “awakening.” In the same litter puppies may not wake up at the same time. In addition, it affects the period of childbirth. If puppies are premature, then the stage of awakening can come a couple of days later than the average period, and vice versa, postponed puppies cope with opening their eyes and hearing before the established norms.

Opening the eyes occurs after the complete formation of the century and takes from one to several days. As a rule, both eyes open together, but it also happens that the difference is one to two days. At first, a small gap forms and gradually the entire eye opens. Puppies with initial enlightenment can see vague silhouettes, distinguish shadow from light, see indistinct images. With hearing everything is the same - at first they can only distinguish a loud enough sound.

To fully enjoy the variety of sounds and images of the dog can after 20 days of life. The first 20 days is an important period of puppy development, precisely in these days the physical and mental abilities of the dog are formed. Development for each puppy takes place individually, but if you take the average, puppies begin to open their eyes for 10-15 days old, and their terms are different for different breeds. For example:

• German Shepherd - 13-15 days hearing and sight;
• Chihuahua - 10-13 day sight, 9-10 day hearing;
• Toy Terrier - 14-15 day sight, 7-8 day hearing;
• Husky - 14 day sight, 17-18 day hearing.

It is considered normal if the eyes are fully opened in the period of 20 days of life, and it will not be a developmental delay or pathology. If the eyes did not open completely or did not open at all, you can try to wipe with a cotton swab dipped in warm boiled water. Treat your eyes only with clean hands to prevent infection.

Another good tool is chamomile decoction - brew the finished bag in boiling water for 30 minutes. Or a teaspoon of the collection pour a glass of water, simmer for 10 minutes. In both cases, the broth should be allowed to cool to a temperature that is 2-3 degrees higher than the body, and wipe the eyes with cotton swabs. For each of the eyes you need your own tampon, you should not use the same.

Closed eyelids are a kind of protection from an aggressive environment in the first days of life. In one litter, as a rule, many puppies are born at once, and they are all premature. The mother dog is simply unable to carry this burden, and childbirth occurs a couple of weeks ahead of schedule.Therefore, the formation of babies often occurs in external conditions.

The fact is that the puppy eyelids are not yet formed after birth. The muscles that are responsible for blinking are too weak and cannot control this process. Thus, the cornea of ​​the eye is not able to be moistened in time, and the ingress of dust, dirt on the still unformed eye can deprive the puppy of sight forever. As too bright light. This is the main reason that the eyelids open later than a puppy is born.

There are cases when the puppy does not want to open his eyes because of the pain, because the eyelids are stuck together so that it is very difficult to open them. Do not immediately run to the vet, you can wipe your eyes with a solution of furatsilina and watch. If the eyes began to open gradually, although still bad, you should continue wiping and carefully monitor the condition of the pet.

Do not need a doctor and if the eyelids are stuck together due to dust, enough to wipe with water or non-stingy antiseptics 6-8 times a day. In addition, caring mom can help the eyes open up naturally, licking the cubs and thereby removing unnecessary discharge.

If after the 20-day period the eyelids did not open, you should contact the veterinarian. Cases where the eyes do not open may be different, and the reasons are most often the following:

• purulent discharge (conjunctival inflammation);
• accretion of the eyelids;
• dirt and mote that fell into the eye slit;
• microbes (infectious diseases).

With such symptoms, you should immediately contact a vet clinic. In some cases even an operation is required, therefore it is recommended not to waste time and take urgent measures.

It happens and vice versa that puppies open their eyes too early, when the eyelid has not yet formed. This can lead to infection, clogging of eyes, drying of tear ducts. There is a risk of such a disease as "dry eye".

More dangerous is turn of the century. Most often, this disease is found in rocks with folds on the face:

• mastiff;
• shar pei;
• bloodhound;
• pug;
• English bulldog;
• bassed;
• Mastino

This disease in newborn puppies is rare, more often it can be found in dogs at an older age, up to the elderly. Such a pathology looks like this: due to the folds on the muzzle, the eyelid bends inwards, thereby irritating the mucous membrane of the eye.

Further, the ulcer develops, which deforms and destroys the internal organs of the eye. Although this is not a threat to the life of your pet, it does entail serious problems. If this disease is not treated, it can lead to loss or blindness.

Inversion of the century occurs for several reasons:

• corneal damage due to unsuccessful delivery;
• congenital abnormality with a reduced size of the eyeball, which affects the eyelid support, resulting in bloat;
• congenital eye disease.

How puppies open their eyes, see the next video.