Red eyes in dogs: causes and treatment
The eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of your dog’s body. And, as such, it’s very important to take good care of them. If you have been noticing that, lately, your dogs’ eyes have turned red and become swollen, it’s time to take action on this matter.
Usually, one of the earliest signs of dog irritation is redness. However, there are many reasons for a dog to have red eyes. Depending on the severity of the condition, red eyes can be accompanied by swelling, scratching, yellow or smelly discharge, excessive tearing, squinting, and crusty eyelids.
Why are my dog's eyes red?
Redness in dogs’ eyes can be caused by a minor factor or a more serious condition.
Foreign object: This is probably one of the most annoying causes of redness. Your dogs’ eyes will be squinted most of the time, watery, and red. If the affected eye doesn’t show any improvement during the following 24 hours, you should contact your vet for a close follow-up.
- Trauma: Due to any laceration, or even excessive rubbing, the eyes of your dog can turn red and highly irritated.
Eye disease: Glaucoma, cataracts, tear duct problems, and cherry eyes (when one of the tear glands of a dog’s third eyelid swells) are some of the most common eye diseases that can cause redness. Even though they usually affect older dogs, if you notice anything unusual on your dog's eyes, you should take him to the vet asap.
Chemical burn of the cornea: Due to the use of inappropriate bathing items, your dog can experience a burn of the cornea. If an irritating chemical enters your dog’s eyes, it can cause severe damage. That is why is so important to choose your grooming products wisely. At Mokai, we use alcohol-free products, with soap-free and hypoallergenic formulations to take care of your dog. Besides, our Dog Antiseptic Wipes can make a real difference on your pup’s grooming.
Allergies: Dogs can be allergic to dust, pollen, grass, etc. If your dog is having an allergic reaction, apart from redness, you will notice he will try to paw or rub at his eyes, since they will be itchy. Besides, his eyes will probably be watery, swollen, and you may notice some unusual discharge coming out of them. If allergies are left untreated, constant scratching, can cause inflammation, and it can lead to infections. If the vet suspects that your pup is allergic, he/she will prescribe antihistaminics to see if he gets better.
- Infections: Dogs’ eyes can get infected due to different reasons: conjunctivitis, keratitis, Lyme disease, bacteria, fungi, allergies, viruses, and parasites, among others. When these conditions remain unsupervised, dogs can experience an infection of the cornea. If your dog is experiencing a bacterial infection, the veterinarian will probably prescribe an antibiotic and eye drops to help him feel better.
Depending on the severity of the condition, vets can prescribe some meds and antibiotics to make your dog feel better. However, if his eye condition is minor, there are some home remedies you can try:
Goggles: This may seem like an overreaction, but the truth is if you enjoy strolls or car rides with your dog, dirt, dust, or any other foreign object can enter his eyes, so wearing goggles will be the best protection for your pup.
Proper nutrition: Blueberries, carrots, and broccoli are some of the healthy human foods you can feed your dog to boost his vision.