My dog is having trouble with his eye.
The eye is a complex and sensitive organ. It is therefore important to contact the veterinarian if you notice the following symptoms:
- Swollen red eyelids
- The dog squints
- Crusts on the eyelids
- Increased eye discharge such as tears or pus
- The dog is light-sensitive
- The eyes appear more bulging than usual
- Your dog tries to rub its eyes against everything
- Vision has deteriorated
My dog has an eye infection
When a dog's eyes become inflamed, it is often due to inflammation of the conjunctiva. This is the mucous membrane lining the inside of the eyelid. Healthy mucous membranes appear smooth, pink, and moist. The fold of mucous membrane in the corner of the eye is also called the third eyelid. Usually, this is not visible. If an eye is inflamed, the conjunctiva becomes red and swollen. The third eyelid also becomes more visible due to swelling, and because of the pain, the eyeball retracts. Additionally, there is a lot of eye discharge, which can be tears and thick green pus. Discharges can dry on the eyelids forming crusts. The cornea can also become inflamed, causing a light blue haze with small blood vessels. The dog squints and tries to rub its eyes everywhere because of the irritation.
The most common causes of an eye infection are:
- Dust
- Wind
- Bacteria
- Viruses and fungi
- Damage to the cornea
- Hairs in the eyes
- Incorrect eyelid position
- Dry eyes
Each cause requires a different approach. For a proper diagnosis, a visit to the veterinarian is necessary.
Mucus in my dog's eye corners
If there is mucus in your dog's eye corners, it is not always immediately harmful. If the eyes otherwise look fine, you can simply wipe away the mucus with your finger.
You can dip a cotton pad in cooled or lukewarm tea made from organically grown chamomile to clean slightly irritated eyes. Dab from the outer corner of the eye towards the nose. Then you can care for and protect the eye with a vitamin A ointment. If the eyes remain irritated for a long time and there is a haze on the cornea or if the discharge becomes pus-like, schedule a visit to the veterinarian. Dogs with good immunity are less likely to suffer from infections.
My dog has tear stains
Tear stains are dark streaks under the eyes caused by increased tear production or blocked tear ducts. When there is too much tear fluid, the tears no longer drain through the tear duct towards the nose but roll down the cheeks. This eventually causes brown discoloration (the tear stain) on the fur. Visit the veterinarian so they can investigate whether the cause can be treated. If the cause is an allergic reaction or hereditary predisposition, it is best to keep the fur under the eyes as clean and dry as possible. This can help prevent the formation of tear stains and any skin irritation. Special cleaning products have been developed for tear stains. Additionally, applying petroleum jelly under the eye after cleaning helps prevent tear fluid from sticking.
Does my dog have cataracts?
Cataracts are a clouding of the eye lens. This looks like a gray-colored pupil. The cornea still appears clear and transparent. Because the lens becomes cloudy, the dog can become blind over time. Most dogs develop cataracts as they get older. It can also be hereditary or develop at a younger age if the mother dog received poor nutrition during pregnancy. Cataracts can also result from diseases, such as diabetes. Sometimes surgery by a specialized veterinarian can help.
Dry eyes in your dog: causes and treatment
If too little tear fluid is produced, the eyes can become chronically irritated. The eyes become dull, the nose dries out, and occasionally small particles stick in the middle of the eye. If you think your dog has too little tear fluid, it is advised to make an appointment with the veterinarian. They can provide treatment consisting of artificial tears and a special eye ointment that stimulates tear production.
