Understanding Why Your Dog Produces Excessive Eye Discharge

1 Overview

Analyzing the symptoms of excessive eye discharge in dogs

1. Abnormalities of the eyelids and eyelashes; 2. Canine conjunctivitis; 3. Canine keratitis

Inflammation caused by a dull-looking conjunctiva on the inner eyelid or by foreign debris is called conjunctivitis.

A dog with itchy eyes tends to scratch with its front paws, which can lead to inflammation around the eyes.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva covering the surface of the eyeball is prone to causing inflammation—this is so-called keratitis.

When the eyelid and lashes turn inward and irritate the eyeball, we call this entropion; conversely, when the eyelid and lashes turn outward and the conjunctiva is exposed, it is usually called ectropion.

How to treat increased eye discharge in dogs?

Mild keratitis and conjunctivitis can be treated with eye drops and medication; keeping the dog from touching its eyes is very important.

Owners should keep a close watch on the dog and not leave it alone; it is best to put an Elizabethan collar on the dog during this time.

For ectropion and keratitis, early surgery is generally advisable.

With entropion, the offending lashes should be removed promptly, but they will always grow back, and the irritation will become even stronger.

In certain seasons dogs tear easily, such as dry, windy winters and springs filled with dust and pollen.

All of these irritate the dog’s eyes; the resulting inflammation causes tearing, so please pay special attention during these two seasons.

Behaviors when a dog’s eyes are abnormal:

If there is a lot of eye discharge after waking up and constant tearing, lift the dog’s eyelid and take a look—if the inner lower eyelid is red, it is likely conjunctivitis; also examine the eyeball carefully.

A dog will surely want to scratch its eyes with its paws; you must take this obvious behavior seriously.

Abnormal lash growth and the lower eyelid turning inward easily cause conjunctivitis or keratitis. When a dog frequently makes a face by turning the lower eyelid outward, the conjunctiva is exposed to air and easily becomes inflamed; when the lower eyelid turns inward, lash growth can also irritate the cornea and cause inflammation.

Pugs with protruding eyeballs are easily prone to corneal injury; also note that long-haired dogs and Yorkies can get hair into their eyes, which also easily causes inflammation and deserves your attention.