Nov 18, 2024
Dogs rely heavily on their eyesight to explore the world around them. As their caretakers, it’s our responsibility to keep their eyes healthy. Just like in humans, eye issues in dogs can pop up unexpectedly, and one of the most common concerns is when a dog's eyes turn red. It’s not only alarming to see, but it can also be uncomfortable for your furry friend.
What are Red Eyes in Dogs?
Your dog’s red eyes are a clear sign that there’s an issue. The cause of this can vary from minor eye conditions to some severe health concerns. In some cases, the cause might just be a small dust issue that irritated your dog’s eyes. But at other times, a prolonged duration of red eyes can mean a more serious issue.
Why Do My Dog’s Eyes Turn Red?
When your dog’s eyes turn red, it can be caused by a range of factors. Some of these eye issues are relatively harmless and can be easily managed, while others require immediate veterinary attention. Let’s take a closer look at the most common causes of red eyes in dogs:
Allergies
Allergies are a frequent cause of red eyes in dogs. Just like humans, dogs can suffer from allergies triggered by pollen, dust, mold, or even certain foods. Allergic reactions often lead to itchy, watery eyes, which can result in redness.
If your dog has seasonal allergies, you might notice that their eyes become red and irritated during certain times of the year. Other symptoms, such as sneezing or scratching, may accompany the redness.
Eye Infections
Eye infections are common in dogs, and their red eyes might be caused by them. Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections can affect your dog’s eyes, causing them to turn red from the inflammation.
This often leads to a discharge, squinting, or maybe a swollen figure. Eye infections typically require prompt treatment with prescribed medications to prevent complications.
Injuries or Trauma
Your dog’s eyes might get injured whenever it explores the outdoors, mainly due to its enthusiasm. Even a small scratch or foreign object, like a piece of dirt or grass, can irritate the eye, causing redness.
Fights with other dogs, cats, and outdoor animals can be the cause, as the eyes might get hit. It’s important to keep your dog close, especially when lots of rabid animals are in your neighborhood.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry Eye Syndrome occurs when your dog’s eyes don’t produce enough tears to keep them moist. Without adequate lubrication, the eyes can become dry, irritated, and red. Treatment often includes tear-stimulating medications or artificial tears to keep the eyes comfortable.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a severe condition of your dog’s eyes, which indicates an increase in pressure within the eye. This buildup of pressure deals serious damage to the optic nerve. If immediate care is not given, it can lead to blindness. Red eyes are one of the early symptoms of glaucoma, which can lead to more serious problems.
Glaucoma requires immediate veterinary intervention to manage the pressure and protect your dog’s vision.
Conjunctivitis
Pink eye is the inflammation affecting the white part of the eye. In addition to redness, the inner eyelids can become irritated and inflamed. Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, can be triggered by infections, irritants, or allergies. Dogs with this condition often have red, swollen eyes, along with discharge, and may frequently rub their eyes due to discomfort.
This condition is typically treated with medicated eye drops and is relatively easy to manage if caught early.
Eyelid Problems
There are some eyelid issues that can be the cause of your dog’s red eyes. Entropion and ectropion are both possible causes, wherein the eyelids roll inward and outward, respectively. These conditions cause irritations to the eyes, which may be the cause of your dog’s red eyes.
How to Diagnose Red Eyes in Dogs?
To fully determine why your dog’s eyes turn red, our vets will use several diagnostic tests and tools. These tests and exams will help us know the cause so we can get urgent treatment. Here are some of the common tests we do:
Fluorescein Staining
This test is simple but incredibly effective. We will apply a special fluorescent dye to the surface of your dog’s eye to highlight any damage to the cornea. Examples of damage could be scratches and ulcers.
If the cornea is injured, the dye sticks to those areas, making it easier for our vets to see the issue under a blue light. It’s particularly useful if your dog has been rubbing their face or if there’s concern about trauma.
Schirmer Tear Test
This is the go-to test for diagnosing dry eye syndrome in dogs. We do this by placing a small strip of paper inside your dog’s lower eyelid for about a minute. The paper absorbs tears, allowing our vets to measure how much moisture the eye produces.
If the tear production is too low, it indicates dry eye, which can lead to irritation and redness. Dry eye is treatable with medications that help stimulate tear production or artificial tears to keep your dog’s eyes lubricated.
Tonometry
Glaucoma is a serious condition that can lead to blindness, so early detection is crucial. Tonometry measures the pressure inside your dog’s eye to see if there’s any abnormal increase, which is a key indicator of glaucoma.
Our vets will gently touch your dog’s eye with a tonometer, which can sound a little intimidating, but the procedure is quick and usually doesn’t cause discomfort. If high pressure is detected, treatment options can be discussed immediately to prevent further damage to your dog’s vision.
How to Treat My Dog’s Red Eyes
Treatment can range from simple home remedies for minor issues to more intensive medical interventions for serious conditions. Below are some of the most common treatment options our pet ophthalmologists use:
Home Remedies
For less severe causes, such as minor irritations from dust or mild allergies, there are some simple things you can do at home to help soothe your dog's red eyes:
Saline Solution Rinses
Using a sterile saline solution to rinse your dog’s eyes can help flush out any foreign particles or allergens that may be causing irritation. It’s a safe and gentle way to clean the eyes and reduce redness.
Cold Compress
If your dog’s eyes are a bit swollen or irritated, applying a cool, damp cloth over the eyes for a few minutes can help soothe inflammation and reduce redness. Just be sure not to apply ice directly, as it could cause discomfort.
Allergy Relief
For dogs with allergies, our vets may recommend over-the-counter antihistamines to help manage symptoms. Be sure to consult with us before giving any medications to ensure they’re safe for your pet.
Veterinary Treatments
In more serious cases where infections, injuries, or chronic conditions like dry eye are involved, our vets will prescribe treatments tailored to the specific cause:
Medicated Eye Drops
For infections such as conjunctivitis, we may prescribe antibiotics or antiviral eye drops to fight the infection. These drops usually need to be applied several times a day and can quickly reduce redness and discomfort.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
If your dog’s red eyes are caused by inflammation due to allergies or injury, anti-inflammatory eye drops or oral medications may be prescribed. These help reduce swelling and redness, allowing the eyes to heal more comfortably.
Artificial Tears
For dogs suffering from Dry Eye Syndrome, artificial tear drops are often recommended to keep their eyes moist and reduce redness. Some dogs may need these drops long-term if their tear production is consistently low.
Eye Surgery
In certain cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the issue causing your dog’s red eyes. Here are some examples of when surgical intervention might be required:
Glaucoma Surgery
If your dog has glaucoma and medications aren’t effectively controlling the pressure inside the eye, surgery may be required to relieve the pressure and prevent blindness. There are different types of surgeries for glaucoma, and our vets will discuss which one is best suited for your dog’s condition.
Eyelid Surgery
If your dog’s red eyes are caused by structural issues with their eyelids, such as entropion or ectropion, surgery may be necessary to correct the eyelid’s position. This can help prevent further irritation and redness in the future.
How to Prevent Red Eyes in Dogs
Taking care of your dog's eyes can help prevent redness and other issues. Here are some easy tips to keep their eyes healthy:
Regular Vet Check-ups
Take your dog to the vet regularly for check-ups. Our team can spot eye problems early before they get worse. If you see redness or anything unusual, don’t wait. Call us right away.
Trim Hair Around the Eyes
For dogs with long fur, keep the hair around their eyes groomed and trimmed. This helps prevent fur from getting into their eyes and causing irritation.
Avoid Irritants
Keep your dog away from things that can irritate their eyes, like dust, pollen, and harsh cleaning products. If your dog has allergies, try to limit their exposure to these things.
Clean Their Eyes Gently
If your dog has eye discharge, gently wipe their eyes with a clean, damp cloth. Be gentle and use a different part of the cloth for each eye to avoid spreading germs.
Healthy Food and Supplements
Make sure your dog eats a balanced diet. Vitamins like vitamin A are important for eye health. We may also recommend supplements to help keep their eyes healthy.
Conclusion
Your dog’s eye health is an important part of their overall well-being, and noticing red eyes can be a sign that something isn’t right. Whether it’s a mild irritation from allergens or a more serious condition like glaucoma or an infection, getting to know your dog comes with knowing the right steps to take care of it.