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“Why are my dogs eyes red?” If youre asking, it might be time for a visit to the veterinarian. Red eyes usually indicate an underlying health problem — and the sooner its treated, the better.
Read on to learn common causes of red eyes in dogs, what other signs to look out for and how your vet might treat your dogs eyes.
Why Are My Dog’s Eyes Red?
Have you noticed that your dogs eyes appear bloodshot? Your dogs eyes could be red for a number of reasons. Here are some of the most common causes:
If a foreign object, such as dirt, dust, grass or hair gets in your dogs eye, it can cause irritation and redness. Cleaning sprays and perfume can also irritate your dogs eyes.
Signs of irritation:
Treatment: You should contact your veterinarian first before any applying any treatment. They may suggest to gently wash out your dogs eyes with lukewarm water. Wait an hour or two to see whether the redness clears up.
Just like people, dogs can have allergies, too. They can have seasonal allergies and food allergies, as well as allergic reactions to dust, mold, household cleaners and other environmental allergens. Any of these allergies can cause a dogs eyes to turn bloodshot, says the American Kennel Club.
Signs of Allergies:
Treatment: Dont give your dog over-the-counter allergy medicine or eye drops without first consulting your veterinarian. Proper treatment depends on your dogs specific allergy, which your vet will determine by examining your dog and running tests. In some cases, pinpointing allergens can be a long process, especially if your vet suspects a food allergy (12-week food trials are required to properly diagnose food allergies).
Pink eye, the common name for conjunctivitis, comes in two forms: infectious and non-infectious. Infectious pink eye is caused by a virus or bacterial infection, while the non-infectious type is generally caused by allergies, irritation, injury, a congenital condition or an illness such as distemper.
Signs of Pink Eye:
Treatment: Whether or not your dogs case of pink eye is infectious, it needs to be checked out and treated by a vet. Theyll determine whether its the contagious type before determining and treating an underlying cause. Infectious pink eye must be treated with antibacterial or antifungal medicine. Your vet may also give you anti-inflammatory medicine to administer to your dog.
Another issue that might cause you to wonder why your dogs eyes are red is dry eye, the common term for keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). This condition occurs when the tear glands dont produce enough moisture, causing the tissues of the eye to dry out, says Cuteness. Dry eye can be a result of eye trauma, an underlying health condition or a corneal ulcer.
Signs of Dry Eye:
Treatment: Your vet will conduct a test to assess the level of moisture your dogs tear glands are producing. They may also check for corneal ulcers. Dogs with dry eye are commonly prescribed eye drops to keep their eyes moist. Youll need to clean their eyes on a regular basis. While dry eye sometimes clears up on its own, it can also be chronic and require lifelong treatment.
Glaucoma is a painful condition caused by fluid buildup that creates swelling and pressure, leading to damage of the optic nerve. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to blindness.
Signs of Glaucoma:
Treatment: If your dog shows signs of glaucoma, bring them to the vet immediately. If you manage to catch the condition early enough, theres a better chance that topical medicine or laser surgery will be effective and that your dogs vision can be saved, says Cuteness. In more severe cases, surgery may be required to relieve pain caused by fluid buildup and pressure. In the most severe cases, surgical removal of one or both eyes may be required.
In addition to the causes listed above, red eyes in dogs can be a sign of an illness, such as distemper, or a chronic health condition like diabetes or hyperthyroidism. Red eyes can also indicate a tumor or certain types of cancer. Some dog breeds are more prone to eye problems than others, says Rover.com. This includes flat-faced breeds like pugs and bulldogs, as well as long-haired breeds whose hair can irritate or damage their eyes. Dogs also become more prone to eye problems and underlying health conditions that can cause eye redness as they age.
Here is a look at several of the causes for your dog’s red eyes and symptoms and treatments for each:
Allergies are one of the most common reasons for red eyes in dogs. Just like with humans, allergens can cause your canine companions eyes to get itchy and uncomfortable. If your dog has an allergic reaction to particular irritants in the environment or in his dog food, his eyes can become inflamed and red in appearance.
The best way to treat red eyes from allergies is to bring your pup to a vet for allergy testing. Together, you and your vet can pinpoint what your dog is allergic to. You can then remove the offending items from your home, change your pup’s food if necessary, and your vet might prescribe medication for your dog.
Some of the most common causes of dog allergies are fleas, pollen, dust mites, certain foods, some household cleaners, perfumes, dander, feathers, and smoke. Wipe your pup down after he’s been outside, make sure to use cleaners and products that are safe for your dog, keep his food bowls clean, and avoid spraying intense fragrances around your pooch. If your pup’s allergies are really intense, you can get an air purifier to help remove airborne irritants.
Red Eyes in Your Dog Here’s Why and What to Do
A dog’s eyes function a lot like our own. When normal and healthy, a dog’s eyes will take in light and transform it into s, like a food bowl or favorite toy. If those eyes become red and irritated, though, they can cause major discomfort and possibly not function very well. If your dog’s eyes are red, it will be important for you to know what’s causing the redness and what you can do to treat your dog’s eyes.