Red eyes of a dog

Causes of redness of the dog's eyes

The causes of red eyes in a dog can have a different character: heredity, infectious and non-infectious diseases, injuries, and so on. In addition, redness can be local or extensive, observed for a short period of time or for a long time, accompanied by concomitant symptoms or be the only sign of pathology.

Infectious diseases that cause redness of the eyes

This group of causes of red eyes includes infectious diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, fungus.

• Chlamydia. It often occurs in a chronic form. The eyes are affected alternately. In the absence of treatment, uveitis may develop, which eventually ends in blindness.
• Viral diseases of puppies. Redness of the eyes is usually accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, high body temperature and loss of a large amount of fluid by the body.
• Toxoplasmosis. Untimely assistance leads to the development of uveitis, as well as with chlamydia. Newborn dogs, as a rule, do not survive, and infected pregnant females often have spontaneous abortions.
• Telyaziosis. This is a parasitic disease; telazias are spread by flies. Feeding on the eye secretions of the dog, the flies are deposited on the mucous membrane of the larva. Redness of the eyes is accompanied by clouding, inflammation of the eyelids, conjunctiva, loss of vision.
• Conjunctivitis. This is an inflammatory process in the connective membrane of the dog's eye, which occurs for a variety of reasons. Viral or bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious to other animals and humans. Depending on the nature of the disease, redness of the eyes is accompanied by various concomitant symptoms.
• Keratitis. With this disease, the cornea becomes inflamed. As in the previous case, the pathology has a different nature. In addition to red eyes, the dog has: increased secretion of lacrimal secretions, thickening of the eyelids, deposition of calcium salts, the formation of pus in the organs of vision is possible.
• Distemper. The dog's eyes turn red simultaneously with lung damage. In parallel, lymph nodes increase, vomiting and diarrhea appear, body temperature rises, eyes fester. The disease can lead to the death of a pet.

Non-infectious pathologies

Red eyes in a dog can be a consequence of non-contagious diseases and conditions.

• Mechanical injury. It can be obtained during a fight with another dog or cat; the dog can accidentally damage the eyes with a branch; seeds or other small objects can get into the organs of vision.
• Inversion and inversion of the eyelids. In the first case, the hairs located on the eyelid irritate the cornea of the eye, which over time can lead to vision impairment and blindness. In the second case, the mucous membrane falls out, which provokes the penetration of infectious agents into it. Pathology is often genetically determined and is observed, for example, in bulldogs, sharpeys.
• Blepharitis. Depending on the provoking factor (injury, parasites and others), the disease may be contagious or not. In addition to the fact that the dog has red eyes, they fester, tear, stick together.
• Prolapse of the third century. This is a pathological condition in which the blinking membrane (the third eyelid, including the lacrimal gland) covers part of the dog's eye in the form of a pinkish or red film. It prevents the eyes from closing, causes itching, redness of the protein, provokes the penetration of infections and the development of inflammation. It is most often transmitted genetically.
• Diabetes mellitus. With diabetes, dogs may have red eyes due to spikes in blood glucose. At the same time, blood vessels become thinner, damaged – their rupture and hemorrhage occur. Concomitant symptoms: dull coat, dry mucous membranes (including the eyes), rapid heartbeat, the animal drinks a lot.
• Blockage of the tear duct. It leads to the appearance of red eyes and frequent inflammatory processes.
• High blood pressure. Causes the blood vessels of the dog's eyes to overflow with blood and redness. Over time, it can cause deterioration of vision or its loss.
• Malignant and benign formations. Various tumors (bumps) can also cause red eyes, having a mechanical, hormonal or other effect on the organs of vision. In old age, dogs often develop a third-century adenoma.
• Allergic reaction. Red eyes are accompanied by itching of varying intensity, swelling of the mucous membrane, copious secretion of lacrimal secretions, sneezing. Any irritant can act as an allergen – pollen, medicines, ingredients of feed mixtures, hygiene products.

Red eyes as heredity

In some cases, red eyes in a dog are normal. This is the case if the pet is albino or belongs to one of the breeds genetically predisposed to redness of the proteins of the visual organs. These include bulldog , cocker spaniel , pekingese , pug , basset hound and others. In this case, it is not the redness itself that is inherited, but the diseases in which this occurs, for example, inflammation of the conjunctiva.

Redness of the eyes as a normal response of the body to stress

In a number of situations, the dog's red eyes become under the influence of some stressful factor. For example, in case of excitement (moving, fear, aggression) the vessels of the eyes can expand, which visually manifests as redness. As the pet calms down, the phenomenon passes on its own.

The same is observed with prolonged exposure to the sun or in an excessively heated stuffy room. Blood rushes to the eyes, shortness of breath appears, the dog loses coordination and is poorly oriented in space, may lose consciousness, vomiting or / and bleeding from the nasal passages is possible. In such cases, the pet needs urgent help: it is necessary to give him water, pour it on top, put a wet cloth (ice) on his head, put him in a cool, well-ventilated place.

Sometimes red eyes of a dog are observed after a walk if there is a strong wind outside, especially with dust. When small particles get on the shell of the visual organs, irritation of the mucous membrane occurs, its dryness, which leads to redness.

Concomitant symptoms

What symptoms should I pay attention to if the dog has red eyes? In order for the diagnosis to be as accurate as possible, before visiting a veterinarian, the owner needs to carefully look at his four-legged friend. Be sure to inform the specialist about the following concomitant symptoms:

• difficulty opening the eyes, eyelid sticking together;
• purulent or other discharge;
• copious lacrimation;
• itching (the dog often rubs the organs of vision);
• disparity of pupils;
• fear of light;
• the appearance of spots, turbidity, neoplasms on the cornea, iris, eyelids;
• swollen eyelids;
• increased body temperature.

Attention should also be paid to the general condition of the animal: whether it is hiding in a secluded place, scared or has become aggressive and irritable, whether it is weakened, whether there are discharge from the nostrils or breathing difficulties, and so on. Even an insignificant, at first glance, clarification or detail will make it possible to undergo the necessary examination, make the correct diagnosis and quickly begin treatment.

Diagnostic methods

Depending on the intended diagnosis, which is based on the data provided by the owner, the veterinarian will prescribe diagnostic measures. These can be: tests for the condition of the cornea or tear duct, measurement of intraocular pressure, microscopic, histological or bacterial analysis of secretions, taking material for biopsy and other diagnostic methods.

How to treat redness of the dog's organs of vision

In most cases, the treatment of red eyes in a dog is carried out with the help of external means – ointments, drops and solutions for washing. In difficult situations (depending on the disease), injections are prescribed. In therapy, drugs of different groups can be used: antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiseptic, regenerative, immunostimulating and others. In parallel, vitamin and mineral complexes, physiotherapy measures can be prescribed.

The most popular external remedies are:

• Anandin – reduces inflammation, has an antiseptic effect, heals tissues;
• Sodium sulfacyl – antibacterial effect;
• Leopard – shows a powerful antiseptic effect, eliminates pain, prevents the development of secondary infection, contains an antibiotic, can also be used for prevention;
• Diamond eyes – antimicrobial drops, stimulate the healing of damaged tissues, eliminate inflammation;
• Maxidin – has immunostimulating activity;
• Iris is a healing, anti–inflammatory, antibacterial agent, especially effective for ulcerative lesions of the cornea;
• Sofradex – narrows blood vessels, eliminates the inflammatory process, destroys infection;
• Ciprovet – has a pronounced antibacterial effect;
• Tetracycline ointment is an antibacterial, anti–inflammatory drug, effective against chlamydia;
• Furacilin is an antiseptic, used to wash the eyes.

Features of the treatment of red eyes in dogs with certain diseases and conditions are described in the table below.

Is it possible to use folk remedies

Folk remedies alone are unlikely to cure redness of the dog's eyes, especially if we are talking about redness as a symptom of diseases. Folk methods can be used, for example, for washing the eyes, softening the crusts on the eyelids before instilling or laying ointment. To do this, it is recommended to use decoctions and infusions of chamomile, green and weak black tea.

How to provide first aid

Before visiting a veterinarian, you can independently alleviate the pet's condition. First aid measures are as follows:

• in the presence of pus or other secretions, contact with household chemicals in the eyes, rinse them well with warm water;
• if the mucous membrane of the organs of vision is dry, it is necessary to drip a means to moisturize it, for example, a natural tear;
• if there is a very strong redness, you can use Ciprovet.

It is impossible to use any drugs based on antibacterial, antifungal, hormonal and other active components independently! Such "treatment" can provoke complications and lead to vision loss.

What to pay attention to during treatment

For the speedy recovery of a four-legged friend and to avoid complications, experts recommend the following:

• before the dog is examined by a veterinarian, the eyes can only be washed with water, weak tea, furacilin solution;
• a visit to a specialist is necessary, even if there are no concomitant symptoms;
• do not try to "examine" the pathology yourself, since there is a risk of introducing a secondary infection or getting infected from a pet;
• washing should be carried out in rubber gloves, after the procedure, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.

The earlier the animal is examined by a doctor, the more likely it is to avoid complications and preserve vision.

How to wash the dog's eyes

To wash the dog's eyes, you need to moisten a disk of cotton wool or a piece of gauze (soft cloth) in a pre-prepared solution or ordinary boiled water. The solution should be at room temperature. Movements are made in the direction from the outer corner of the eye to the bridge of the nose. If there are dried crusts on the eyelids, a abundantly moistened disk is applied to them several times, holding for 2-4 seconds. It is necessary to apply a compress until the crusts are soaked, after which they are carefully removed with a new, wetted and wrung disk.

Preventive measures

To prevent red eyes in a dog, it is necessary to pay attention to the following points:

• increase the immunity of the pet, ensure a balanced diet;
• walk in a safe place;
• prevent unnecessary "dating";
• avoid stress;
• carefully select hygiene products;
• destroy parasites in a timely manner;
• get vaccinated on time;
• promptly contact a veterinary specialist without delaying the treatment of diseases.

Periodic inspection of the dog's eyes, attentive attitude to her, to her behavior and mood, as well as rapid response to changes in well-being will serve as a guarantee of a long and healthy pet life.