Why the dog got red eyes: the causes and treatment are considered. Why does a dog have red eyes: signs of physiological factors and symptoms of serious internal disorders Puppy has red eyes what to do

Redness of the eyes in humans is often associated with prolonged use of the computer, the development of conjunctivitis and other reasons that you can guess on your own. But this symptom can occur not only in humans, but also in dogs. Their eyes are the same as those of humans. But the iris in dogs is very large and the protein is almost invisible. On close examination, you can always see its redness.

There are various reasons for the redness of proteins. In some cases, a symptom can be considered a variant of the norm, but often it signals serious diseases of the eyes, internal organs and requires immediate specialist intervention.

Causes

The red whites of the eyes can have different etiologies. Redness occurs due to a violation of the integrity of the capillaries of the eyes and hemorrhages. They can be pinpoint or extensive.

Diseases that can cause reddening of the whites of the eyes:

Breed predisposition

Sometimes red eyes are the norm. Albino dogs have no coloring pigment, so capillaries are visible through the discolored tissue.

Some breeds are prone to pathologies that cause this symptom (conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome). These are such breeds as:

cocker and king charles spaniel;
English and French Bulldog;

Redness as a physiological response

In some cases, the redness of proteins cannot be considered a pathology. This may be a natural reaction of the body to the effects of exogenous factors:

Stressful situations, strong excitement, bouts of aggression against the background of a fight with fellow tribesmen.
Overheating - if the animal is in the sun for a long time or in a room with a high air temperature, blood rushes to the eyes. Shortness of breath, impaired coordination, nausea are also observed.
The ingress of dust particles, sand on the cornea of the eye, exposure to wind. The mucous membrane, as a rule, dries up. No discharge is observed.
Reaction to exposure to chemicals, household chemicals. In the absence of an irritant, the redness usually goes away.

Probable diseases and accompanying symptoms

In order for the veterinarian to be able to correctly diagnose and find out the causes of the redness of the whites of the eyes, it is necessary to pay attention to the accompanying symptoms in the eye area:

clouding of the cornea;
squinting your eyes;
swelling of the muzzle;
asymmetry of the pupils;
photophobia.

It is also important to consider whether one eye has redness or both. And also remember the situations that could affect the appearance of this syndrome.

Conjunctivitis

Inflammation of the connective membrane of the eye, which can occur for various reasons. It can be mechanical damage, infection, allergic reaction, ingrown eyelashes.

There are several types of conjunctivitis:

catarrhal;
purulent (viral or bacterial);
allergic;
follicular.

Typical symptoms of the disease:

redness;
swelling of the conjunctiva;
with a purulent form, yellowish viscous discharge appears;
itchy eyes;
general malaise;

On a note! In the allergic form, tearing and sneezing appear, which disappear after the cessation of the action of the allergen.

Keratitis

Inflammation of the cornea of the eye. Often occurs as a result of injury, infection with bacterial, viral or fungal microflora.

Characteristic signs of keratitis:

clouding of the cornea;
tearing;
edema and redness of the eye;
deposition of calcium salts;
fear of bright light;
there may be purulent discharge from the eyes;
thickening of the eyelid and gray spots on the cornea in advanced cases.

Keratitis, like conjunctivitis, can be not only separate diseases, but also symptoms of more serious internal pathologies (distemper, hepatitis).

Turn of the century

In most cases, this is a congenital pathology, which is characterized by a pronounced deformation of the eyelid. The eyelashes constantly injure the eye, which leads to the reddening of the protein. The disease is accompanied by constant discomfort, itching, tearing. The dog is constantly squinting, dropping the eyelid.

Diabetes

One of the complications of diabetes is diabetic cataract. It manifests itself as whitish spots on the eyes. And constant surges in glucose levels cause damage to the vascular walls. As a result, blood effusions appear.

In addition to eye problems with diabetes, there are:

dry mucous membranes;
intense thirst;
the smell of acetone from the mouth;
rapid pulse;
deterioration in the condition of the coat.

Plague (plague of carnivores)

A dangerous viral disease that often causes the death of animals. Redness of the whites of the eyes occurs with the pulmonary form of the disease. In addition to the respiratory organs, the visual apparatus is also affected.

Typical symptoms of plague:

pus from the eyes and nose;
inflammation of all mucous membranes;
increase;
enlarged lymph nodes;
intoxication, which leads to general weakness and apathy.

Diagnostics

If redness appears on the whites of the eyes, it is recommended to show the dog to the veterinarian to find out the cause. The doctor will conduct an examination, ask a number of leading questions: when did the redness appear, are there any other symptoms, how has the behavior changed. On examination, the state of the structures of the visual apparatus is assessed.

The survey may include:

Schirmer's test - the intensity of tear production is measured;
staining the cornea with fluorescein (reveals abscesses and microcracks);
tonometry - measurement of intraocular pressure;
scraping tissue from the cornea and conjunctiva to detect infections;
biopsy.

Treatment

The red whites of the eyes are a symptom of some pathological conditions and diseases. Therefore, treatment should be based solely on diagnostic results and prescribed by a veterinarian. The main thing is to eliminate the root cause of hyperemia.

In order not to aggravate the situation and not harm the dog, you need to adhere to certain rules:

Do not touch your eyes with your hands to avoid exacerbating damage and causing infection.
Show the animal to the veterinarian, even if there are no symptoms other than redness of the eyes.
Compare the appearance of the symptom with recent events. This will help you quickly identify the possible cause of the redness.
Without a doctor's prescription, you can only treat your eyes with clean boiled water, artificial tears.

If the problem is not eliminated at an early stage of its development, then in advanced cases, surgery may be required, reddening of the eyes may result in blindness for the dog.

First aid

Before the animal is examined by a veterinarian, you can alleviate its condition and provide first aid:

Put on an Elizabethan collar so that the dog cannot scratch his eyes and injure them.
If eyes are damaged by exposure to chemicals, rinse with warm boiled water.
In case of dry eye syndrome, drip with special drops ("Natural Tear", "Diamond Eyes"), moisturizing their surface.
In case of intense hyperemia, drip Ciprovet drops into the eyes.

It is impossible to use hormonal or vasoconstrictor drugs without a doctor's prescription. They can further complicate the situation.

Ointments

In addition to drops, you can remove redness from the eyes with the help of ointments. They are recommended to be applied some time after the drops. In this way, the effectiveness of the treatment can be increased.

Sulfanyl sodium;
Chlortetracycline;
Tetracycline.

Using certain external agents, you can achieve only a short-term effect, if you do not eliminate the root cause of the reddening of the whites of the eyes.

Eye drops

They are most commonly used for eye problems. The active components of the drops help to eliminate redness, relieve inflammation, edema. Most drops also have an antibacterial effect.

Eye drops for dogs:

Sulfacil sodium- a product based on sulfonamide. After application, it remains active for 4-5 hours. Drops have a pronounced antibacterial effect.
Leopard- the drops contain chloramphenicol, as well as furacilin. They are used for medicinal and prophylactic purposes.
Iris- a preparation based on gentametacin. They have a wide range of effects. They remove eye inflammation of an infectious etiology.
Tsiprovet- drops with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin.
Sofradex- a complex preparation consisting of gramicidin, framycetin and glucocorticosteroid. Thanks to this combination of active ingredients, drops have antimicrobial, vasoconstrictor, anti-inflammatory effect.

Rinsing the eyes

You can wash your dog's eyes only with clean boiled water at room temperature. Many people also use tea leaves (1 teaspoon of black tea per 100 ml of water). But often a dye or flavor is added to black tea. This can further worsen the condition of the eyes. If foreign particles or substances get into your eyes, you can rinse with silver water. First, put a silver object in a glass of distilled water for a day. Moisten a cotton pad in this product and rinse, moving from the outer corner of the eye to the inner one.

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The red eyes of the dog should alert the owner! An ailment may indicate fatigue, in other situations it is a sign of pathology. You should observe the pet, identify changes in its behavior. Why does a dog have red eyes? There are many reasons, some of which are serious and relatively harmless. If a person observes redness of the eyes, he usually suggests conjunctivitis. To eliminate the symptom, tea leaves can be used. The animal needs to be treated differently! You should contact your veterinarian, he will prescribe medications depending on the cause of the problem.

Characteristics of the symptom

It is not recommended to use tea leaves to rinse your dog's eyes. A home remedy will not give results, moreover, it can cause allergies with lacrimation. If the dog's eye turns red, then the reason for this was pathology or injury, in which the pet suffered mentally and physically. The ailment in question is usually accompanied by other symptoms. Possible nausea, malaise, loss of appetite. The dog can behave distantly or, on the contrary, fidgety.

If your dog has red eye white, show it to your veterinarian. There are times when eye redness is an alarm. It is important to identify the root cause; this cannot be done at home. If the redness of the eyes is accompanied by fever or depression, while the animal refuses to eat, an urgent need to go to the clinic. An experienced veterinarian will conduct an examination, find out other alarming symptoms, and if necessary, instrumental examination methods will be prescribed. To identify an ophthalmic disease, you need to show your pet to a specialized veterinarian.

Red eye dog behavior

In most cases, eye redness is accompanied by psychological discomfort. The animal tries to find a secluded corner where it could hide. The pet is not happy with the owner, his appetite is reduced. Depending on the cause of the disease, the dog may whine, itch, shake its head. Redness of the sclera is often accompanied by an increase in temperature, and discharge from the nose may flow. In this case, a cold should be excluded, perhaps the animal's body reacts to viruses.

The progression of a particular pathology is judged by the accompanying symptoms. There are situations when only the eyelids turn red, the protein and iris look normal. In other cases, the protein becomes covered with red dots or turns red completely. On the surface of the eye, you can see translucent blood vessels.

With the progression of the disease, the small veins of the eyes swell, the eyelid remains in its natural form. Redness of the eyes may be accompanied by a discharge from the conjunctiva. Depending on the nature of the disease, they are white, transparent, viscous. Slime must be removed with a napkin. Try to do this as carefully as possible, it is important not to injure the mucous membranes. Greenish, yellowish, brown discharge may come from the conjunctival sac.

The main causes of eye redness in dogs

Redness of the sclera of the eyes is a physiological reaction of the body. The disease is observed when exposed to an external stimulus. If you see that the pet's eyes turn red, while there are no other symptoms, then the reason lies not in pathology. Remember how he behaved for several days, you need to analyze what happened in the next few hours.

Perhaps the pet had a fight with a cat or the like. The eyes can turn red on the background of stress, serious emotional upheaval. If the dog is aggressive, it can hide its anger. The alleged cause of eye redness is punishment, humiliation. It is necessary to calm down, feed the pet, let him sleep. The dog must recuperate and forget about the unpleasant incident.

The cause of the ailment in question may be an allergy. Redness of the conjunctiva often indicates that the body is hypersensitive to a particular product. Some dogs react distinctly to household chemicals. The allergen should be identified and eliminated. If you suspect hypersensitivity, you should contact your veterinarian, you should tell him about all the symptoms. The doctor will conduct tests to help identify the irritant. The dog should not come into contact with chemicals, various detergents.

Overheating is the cause of redness

Overheating can be the cause of the redness of the conjunctiva. If the dog has been in a room with an elevated temperature for a long time, the ailment in question appears. In frequent cases, it is accompanied by shortness of breath, in some dogs there is nausea, fever. Overheating can lead to loss of coordination. What if your dog has red eyes and the problem is caused by overheating? It is necessary to take it to a cool room, give as much air as possible. If the illness persists, consult your veterinarian.

The eyes turn red due to a head injury, in which case an urgent veterinarian consultation is necessary. Redness of the conjunctiva often occurs against the background of lacrimation, the dog tries to cover his eyes. If the owner tries to pet her, a sharp reaction is observed. In some cases, itching occurs, if this symptom is detected, you should contact your veterinarian-ophthalmologist. If a dog has a fight with a cat, scratches may appear on the skin.

Such scratches are dangerous because there are many microbes under the cat's claws. The cat may have injured the dog's face or mucous membranes during the fight. If you know that a fight has taken place or if you see signs of damage on your pet's skin, contact your veterinarian. A relatively harmless cause of redness is exposure to dust, sand, and strong winds.

A change in the color of the sclera arises from the fact that the mucous membranes dry out. Allocations are absent in this case. If your pet's eyes are dry, you need to apply a specialized saline solution. Natural tear drops should not contain antibiotics. Before using such funds, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian. If the redness is caused by exposure to dust or sand, it is necessary to use medications that are advised by a doctor.

Possible diseases

Conjunctivitis has varying degrees of severity, and the disease causes a number of alarming symptoms. The pet becomes closed, inactive, viscous secretions begin to flow from the conjunctiva, they are yellow or green in color. Conjunctivitis is a very serious condition and it is worth noting that it is contagious. A dog can pick up this pathology from relatives. With the development of conjunctivitis, you need to correctly treat the pet, do not forget about the rules of hygiene!

It is necessary to remove purulent discharge in a timely manner using a napkin. In the initial stages of the disease, eyes can be treated with chamomile infusion, black tea is contraindicated. Chamomile infusion is applied with a cotton swab. The drug "Sofradex" is not suitable for every dog, before using it, you need to consult a specialist!

Conjunctivitis treatment

Conjunctivitis is accompanied by itching of the eyelids. To prevent your pet from scratching his eyes once again, buy a special cap. During the period of treatment, you need to closely monitor the pet, it is important to pay attention to the slightest violations. If the animal's health worsens, make an appointment with the veterinarian again. Do not start conjunctivitis, the disease can lead to loss of vision! There are times when at first the disease subsides, then it becomes aggravated again. To be able to assess the overall clinical picture, you need to take the dog for diagnosis.

Pneumonic plague is manifested by reddening of the sclera. This disease is dangerous and often fatal. Pneumonic plague is of viral origin. With the development of pathology, purulent discharge begins to flow from the nose. The dog becomes withdrawn, the body temperature rises sharply. Pulmonary distemper leads to diarrhea, vomiting occurs, and pulmonary lymph nodes enlarge. If you find these symptoms, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible!

Redness of the eyes can be caused by a volvulus of the eyelid, this is a congenital pathology in which the eyelids are deformed. The disease is accompanied by severe discomfort, the dog feels sand in the eyes, often squints. In conclusion, we note that self-diagnosis may be ineffective. If the redness of the eyes does not go away within 2 days, be sure to contact your veterinarian.

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The eyes of a dog, like that of a person, are the organ through which they communicate with the outside world. The dog's eye is an organ specially adapted for the perception of light waves by the animal. With the help of sight, your dog orients himself in the world around him, perceives the intensity of light, color, shape of objects, distance to them, as well as the movement of objects in space. With the help of sight, a dog in the wild obtains food for itself, has the ability to move in the direction it needs, and in case of an attack, defend itself

The eyes, as a keen sense of smell and subtle hearing, are important for the full life of the animal. Therefore, the owners of all diseases that can lead to a decrease in visual acuity or even blindness of your pet must be noticed and treated in time. How to recognize when a dog's red whites of the eyes are a pathology that requires immediate treatment, and when it is the norm due to the breed?

By the state of the eyes, you can always determine whether your dog is healthy or not, the eyes are a "mirror" not only of the soul, but also of the health of the animal.

Before talking about whether a dog's red eyes are a particular disease, the owner of the dog needs to have a general idea of the structure of the eye.

The eyes of a dog are located in the sockets - bony cavities, which are formed by the bones of the skull, where they are held by several muscles that provide their mobility and orientation in different directions. The dog's eye itself is protected by auxiliary organs - eyelids and glands.

The dog has three eyelids. The upper and lower eyelids are folds of the skin, the inner surface of the eyelids is lined with a mucous membrane. Outside, the eyelids are lined with eyelashes, which protect the eyes from dust and other foreign particles. The dog's third eyelid is a simple film in the inner corner of the eye that dog owners usually cannot see. This film covers the eye when it is closed or irritated, as well as in case of nervous disorders.

The eye in the corneal area is in contact with the external dry environment, so it needs protection of the lacrimal glands, which produce tear fluid - the secret that moisturizes the surface of the cornea. Tears in a dog accumulate in the space between the eyelids and the eye, and then are expelled through a narrow channel that begins in the inner corner of the eye and opens into the nasal cavity. With profuse lacrimation or blockage of the lacrimal canal, tears flow from the eyes and, being oxidized, form red stripes on the coat that outwardly resemble blood.

The eye has two parts. The anterior portion includes the cornea, iris, and lens. They take in beams of light from a dog, like a camera lens. The cornea and lens are transparent and act as optical lenses, while the iris acts as a diaphragm, regulating the amount of light that enters the eye through the pupil (the opening in the iris).

The back of the eye consists of the vitreous humor, the choroid (choroid) and the retina, which converts optical light signals into nerve impulses that are transmitted to the visual center of the brain.

Thinking of the eye as a camera analogy, we can say that the back of the eye is like a photographic film on which the dog's brain captures the image.

In the presence of redness of the eyes, your dog will seek to hide from the light in a secluded place in his booth, and at home to find a shaded corner for rest. The dog becomes lethargic, there is a decrease in appetite. Sometimes the dog may scratch, shake its head and whine. The owner of the dog notes that redness of the sclera of the eye is often accompanied by an increase in body temperature, nasal discharge.

Often, redness of the eyes in a dog is accompanied by inflammation of the conjunctiva, and depending on the form of conjunctivitis, mucous, white, greenish, yellow and brown discharge is additionally noted.

Causes of redness in the eyes of a dog

Redness of the sclera of the eyes in a dog can be physiological and pathological.

Physiological the reaction of reddening of the sclera in a dog can be as a result of external stimuli:

— Severe stress- fight with another dog or cat, experienced shock, strong or suppressed aggression, punishment or humiliation.

What to do: The dog needs to be reassured, fed with his favorite food and allowed to recuperate. Make every effort to ensure that the dog forgot about the unpleasant incident as soon as possible.

- Allergy... Nowadays, when a large number of household chemicals are used on the farm, a dog may have an increased sensitivity to chemical ingredients in household chemicals. Redness of the conjunctiva and sclera of the eyes can be on certain feed ().

What to do: exclude all recently introduced foods from the diet, protect the dog from contact with detergents and household chemicals.

Strong wind, dust, sand entering the eye can lead to drying out of the conjunctiva of the eye.

What to do: Inject saline or "natural tears" into the eye, as well as other eye drops without antibiotics.

Overheating- the dog has been in the sun for a long time or in a room with a high air temperature. Signs: shortness of breath, nausea, redness of the mucous membranes, fever, loss of coordination.

What to do: The dog should be placed in a cool room, ventilated in the room. If after this the redness of the sclera does not go away, it is necessary to contact the veterinary clinic.

Pathological causes of reddening of the sclera of the eyes in a dog.

To pinpoint the pathological cause of your dog's red eyes, the dog's owner will need to go to a veterinary clinic, where a veterinarian ophthalmologist will conduct a complete examination of your dog's reddened eyes. During the clinical examination, you, as the owner of the dog, will be asked the following questions by the veterinarian in the process of collecting an anamnesis of the disease:

How does a dog behave at home - depressed, trying to hide in a calm place, reluctantly taking food, trying to scratch his eyes, whining, shaking his head often, nasal discharge, fever are observed.
During the examination, the veterinarian will determine the nature of the redness of the affected eye:

Redness of the eyelids, whites of the eye, and the iris may appear normal.
Spot redness of the sclera of the eye.
The sclera of the eye is completely reddened, possibly, the blood vessels are visible.
The blood vessels in the eye are reddened and swollen, and the eye itself looks normal.

Lacrimal apparatus disease

Keratoconjunctivitis dry- this disease is characterized by a very small amount of tear film in the eye as a result of a lack or absence of tear fluid production. This disease is observed in West Hyland White Terriers, Chinese Crested dogs, Pekingese, Cocker Spaniels, Pugs, Yorkshire Terrier Bulldogs, Shih Tzu, Brussels Griffins, as well as in mestizos of these breeds and is inherited to their offspring. Keratoconjunctivitis dry in dogs occurs with disorders of sex hormones, trauma to the frontal part of the skull, neuropathy of the facial nerve, congenital hypoplasia of the lacrimal glands, from the use of certain drugs.

The clinical picture. Veterinary specialists, when conducting a clinical examination in a sick dog, note frequent blinking, dry crusts around the edges of the eye, itching, the presence of mucopurulent discharge from the eyes, viscous mucus, follicular conjunctivitis are found in the conjunctival sac. In the future, as the disease progresses, symptoms of ulceration and roughness of the surface of the cornea appear, conjunctival edema develops. In the presence of dry crusts in the area of the nostrils from the side of the lesion, we can also talk about the presence of a lesion of the facial nerve in a sick dog.

Treatment... Treatment for this form of keratoconjunctivitis should be aimed at eliminating the underlying cause of the disease. The conjunctival and corneal areas are rinsed abundantly every two hours with saline before each drug application. The inner corners of the eyes of a sick dog are washed with a solution of chamomile or chlorhexidine, since the lacrimal sac in a sick dog is a reservoir for various microorganisms. For treatment, an antibiotic eye ointment is used.

Distichnaz. With this disease, on the free edge of the eyelid, which should be hairless, there are single or multiple hairs arranged in a row. These hairs appear in a dog only at 4-6 months of life and can be both very delicate and quite tough. With this disease, more often than not, several hairs grow from one point. This disease is most often recorded in the English and American Cocker Spaniel, Boxer, Tibetan Terrier, Collie, Pekingese.

Clinical picture... In a dog, during a clinical examination, a veterinarian notes profuse lacrimation, constant blinking, blepharospasm, irritating hair has contact with the cornea of the eye. If the dog has curled eyelashes, keratitis is diagnosed.

Diagnosis the disease is put on the basis of the above symptoms. Differential diagnosis... Distichiasis is differentiated from trichiasis, volvulus and eversion of the eyelids, allergic conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis dry. Treatment... It is carried out in veterinary clinics by electrolysis under an operating microscope. Excision of the third century.

Trichiasis... Trichiasis is a condition when hair from the eyelids or muzzle of a dog enters the eye, while coming into contact with the conjunctiva and cornea. Trichiasis is primary and secondary. Primary occurs in dogs with a medial eyelid twist and a large nasolabial fold.

Trichiasis occurs in the following dog breeds - Pekingese, Pugs, English Bulldogs, English Cocker Spaniels, Chow Chows, Sharpei.

Clinical picture... In a dog, during a clinical examination, a veterinarian notes lacrimation, hairs in contact with the cornea cause blinking in dogs, constant outflow from the eyes, symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis, inflammation of the skin in the area of the nasolabial fold.

Diagnosis set on the basis of the detection of wool in contact with the cornea, provided that there is no other eye pathology.

Differential diagnosis h. Trichiasis is differentiated from keratoconjunctivitis dry, volvulus and eversion of the eyelids, dystrichiasis, ectopic eyelashes.

Treatment... Treatment of the disease is surgical. Temporary improvement can be achieved by cutting the hair that enters the eye.

Inversion of the eyelids... Twisting of the eyelids is an eye pathology in which a part of the organ is wrapped inward towards the eyeball. The twist of the eyelid can be in a dog both upper and lower, both unilateral and bilateral. Unilateral twisting of the eyelid margin is most often the result of heredity and manifests itself in a dog in the first year of life. Congenital volvulus occurs in puppies after opening the eyes in some breeds with excessively wrinkled scalp (Chow Chow, Shar Pei). In this disease, the eyelashes, hair and skin of the eyelid rub against the surface of the cornea, causing inflammation and irritation. Clinical picture... During a clinical examination, the veterinarian notes the outflow of liquid secretion from the eye, the dog has photophobia (to a light bulb, the sun), the dog rubs his eyes with his paw, blinks, and there may be an eye tic.

Treatment... Treatment of volvulus is operative.

Diseases of the conjunctiva. Conjunctivitis is the most common condition in dogs. Conjunctivitis is accompanied by dysfunction of the conjunctival mucosa and often occurs in infectious diseases. Additionally, the causes of conjunctivitis in dogs can be allergies, clogged tear ducts, viruses, foreign body trauma, irritation of the conjunctiva as a result of eyelid pathology.

Allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis in dogs occurs as a result of contact with the mucous membrane of the eye of one or another allergen (contact allergy). An allergen can be pollen from flowering plants, dust, etc. In recent years, allergic conjunctivitis in dogs has often been reported as a symptom of allergy to certain foods (food allergy in animals).

Clinical picture... During a clinical examination, a veterinarian in such a dog notes redness of the mucous membrane of the eyes, mucous discharge from the palpebral fissure. As a result of the itching, the dog rubs the affected eye with its paw.

Treatment... In the event that contact dermatitis occurs, it is necessary to rinse the affected eye inflammation with saline or chamomile decoction. In case of food allergies, it is necessary to exclude an allergic product from the dog's diet and transfer the dog to a hypoallergic diet (buckwheat, rice, beef). A sick dog is prescribed antihistamines (cetirizine, diazolin, suprastin, diphenhydramine, tavegil), eye drops "Brilliant eyes" are instilled into the conjunctival sac. Purulent conjunctivitis... Purulent conjunctivitis in a dog develops as a result of various pathogenic microorganisms entering the conjunctiva. Purulent conjunctivitis is one of the symptoms of carnivorous plague.

Clinical card ina. During a clinical examination, a veterinarian in a sick dog notes redness of the conjunctiva, its swelling, purulent discharge from the eye.

Treatment... With this form of conjunctivitis, a sick dog is given eye drops and ointments that include antibiotics. Tetracycline eye ointment, Ciprovet drops are widely used. Before applying eye drops and eye ointment, it is necessary to cleanse the sore eyes of exudate.

Follicular conjunctivitis... This form of conjunctivitis is most typical for chronic conjunctivitis and often develops in a dog when toxic substances enter the eye.

Clinical picture... During a clinical examination, a veterinary specialist on the mucous membrane of the conjunctiva reveals many bubbles with transparent contents. Mucous outflows come from the palpebral fissure. The conjunctiva itself has a crimson color, the inflamed eye of the dog is squinted.

Treatment. When treating this form of conjunctivitis, eye ointments containing an antibiotic are used. In severe cases of the disease, specialists are forced to resort to excision of the conjunctiva, and further symptomatic treatment.

Diseases of the cornea

Red eyes in a dog can be caused by:

Violation of the blood clotting process.
Tumors, including malignant ().

First aid for redness of the eyes

As soon as the owner of the dog, returning from a walk, noticed a reddened sclera of the eye, it is necessary to rinse the dog's eyes with a large amount of boiled water, put a tetracycline ointment behind the eyelid and put a special insulating collar on the dog's neck (so that the dog does not scratch the affected eye). Before the visit to the veterinary clinic, if the dog's redness of the eye is insignificant and there is no inflammatory exudate, you can drop the drops "Brilliant eyes", "Natural tears" into the reddened eye.

In case of severe redness, it is advisable to apply Tsiprovet. If the reddening of the eye is not started by the owner of the dog, veterinarians recommend the use - "Oftalmosan". These eye drops are prepared on the basis of chlorhexidine, succinic acid, calendula extract, chamomile and eyebright.

this bactericidal and anti-inflammatory drug is recommended to be used as a first aid, as well as daily as a sanitary and hygienic product.
relieves redness, swelling and itching.

Method of application: instillation into the conjunctival sac, 1-2 drops 3-4 times a day.

Prevention. Prevention of eye redness in a dog should be based on preventing the causes that lead to this phenomenon in a dog.

Owners should prevent stressful situations in the dog while walking, not subject the dog to punishment or humiliation. Eliminate head injuries while walking.

Provide adequate feeding by eliminating allergenic feed from the diet.

Avoid overheating the dog in the sun or keeping it in a hot room, observe the zoo-hygienic standards for keeping dogs.

Prevent the appearance of eye diseases in the dog.

Regularly vaccinate the dog against infectious diseases common in the region of residence.

Obligatory treatment of the dog against worms ().

Red eye syndrome can manifest itself in different ways: reddening of the corners, vascular mesh, or a completely discolored sclera. In a few cases, a change in the color of the eye sclera is the norm, but more often it indicates an illness.

The red whites of both eyes in an albino dog are not abnormal. Albinos have a common genetic feature - the absence of the coloring pigment melanin, which makes the blood vessels shine through the skin and areas of the eye sclera. It appears that the whites of the eyes of albino animals are pink.

Sometimes proteins turn red in response to external stimuli. For example:

The rush of blood to the eyes occurs as a result of stress, excitement, and an attack of aggression. Red squirrels may indicate that the dog is scared or has not yet cooled down after a fight with fellow tribesmen.
The eye vessels dilate if the animal is overheated. A state of hyperthermia is provoked by intense heat, prolonged exposure to the sun or near an open fire.
During windy weather, the cornea may be irritated by dust or small debris in the air.
It is likely that the eyes are constantly injured by improperly growing eyelashes or coarse hair bristles. In this case, it is recommended to constantly trim the interfering hairs.

These conditions do not require treatment. The reddening of the whites of the eyes will go away on its own after the provoking factors are eliminated.

Redness as a symptom of the disease

Red eye syndrome often indicates pathology, especially if it is accompanied by hyperemia, edema, pain, and visual impairment.

Dry eye syndrome or dry keratoconjunctivitis appears due to insufficient supply of lacrimal fluid into the conjunctival cavity, due to which various inflammations of the conjunctiva and cornea develop. This threatens with destructive changes in the eyes, ulcers, or complete loss of vision. There is both a breed and a hereditary predisposition to the disease.

Especially often Yorkshire terriers, cocker spaniels, Pekingese, pugs, bulldogs are ill.

In the early stages, the condition of the dog is alleviated by instilling the drug "artificial tear". If an infection has joined, antibiotics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. A good effect is given by therapy with Cyclosporin, Tacrolimus. They stimulate the production of tear fluid.

An allergic reaction is a common cause of reddening of the eye sclera. Pollinosis is especially often manifested in this way - an allergy to pollen of flowering plants or a reaction to chemicals, medications. The animal must be protected from the effects of allergens and antihistamines must be administered.

Traumatic injury to the eye can lead to scleral inflammation and reddening of the protein. Dogs with bulging eyes (Pekingese, Pugs) are especially prone to injury. Even blunt injuries are dangerous - the blood vessels burst from the blow, giving the protein a bright red color, sometimes lacrimation is added, the dog cannot open his eyes. In such a situation, it is urgent to show the dog to the doctor, otherwise vision may be lost.

Infectious conjunctivitis in dogs is manifested by reddening of the cornea and yellowish purulent discharge (in the initial stages, they may be transparent). A sick dog must be protected from contact with other animals. Eyes are washed with fresh tea leaves or chamomile decoction, antibacterial drops of Sofradex or Albucid are instilled, tetracycline ointment is applied.

Increased intraocular pressure with glaucoma or neoplastic diseases. Vessels undergo strong pressure, collapse, which leads to staining of the sclera.

Plague of carnivores is a very serious disease. Simultaneously with the respiratory organs, the organs of vision are affected. There is discharge from the eyes and nose, which contains pus, and tearing is observed. The general body temperature rises, intoxication sets in, the lymph nodes increase. The dog hides, refuses to communicate, stops eating.

A blocked tear duct is diagnosed when reddened corners of the eyes and lacrimal pathways on the bridge of the nose are visible. If you do not provide medical care in time, then the infection will most likely join and inflammation will begin. As a first aid, rinsing with antiseptic solutions is used. In advanced cases, surgical intervention is required - drainage of the lacrimal canal.

High blood pressure. Vessels swell and burst, which leads to reddening of the sclera. In severe cases, there is a complication in the form of retinal detachment, and this already threatens with loss of vision. First of all, you need to revise the pet's diet, excluding the use of salt and fat. Not recommended significant physical activity, walking in cold or too hot weather, active games. Weakness of the vascular walls may indicate autoimmune diseases, thyroid pathologies.

Diagnostic methods

The veterinarian takes a detailed history. The owner should talk about the behavior and well-being of the pet in recent years, remember what preceded the pathology: stress, excitement, fight, illness.

Tell your veterinarian if you observe:

itching (the dog rubs his eyes with his paw);
clouding of the cornea (frequent blinking);
inflammation, swelling in the eye area;
discharge from the lacrimal duct, the presence of pus in them;
increased lacrimation;
asymmetry of the pupils;
the nature of the pathology (vascular network, redness of the eyelids, ulcerative lesions).

Pay attention to the general condition of the dog: body temperature, activity, appetite.

The veterinarian-ophthalmologist examines the dog during the diagnosis, assessing the condition of its eyelids and eyeballs. If glaucoma is suspected, he performs tonometry by measuring eye pressure.

The Schirmer test helps to exclude keratoconjunctivitis dry. It is designed to determine the amount of lacrimal fluid secreted. The presence of microtraumas is also checked using a special fluorescent lamp.

To identify or exclude infectious pathologies or hormonal disruptions, a general blood test is done. If necessary, an ultrasound examination is prescribed, which allows you to determine the presence of organic changes and complications of the disease (clouding of the lens).

If a retinal detachment is suspected, an examination of the fundus and the condition of the optic nerve is performed - ophthalmoscopy.

Treatment

First aid consists of rinsing the eyes with strong tea, instilling an antimicrobial drug (Albucid), or placing tetracycline eye ointment. If severe itching is observed, then a fixing collar must be worn around the neck to prevent combing.

The primary therapy is selected by the attending physician only after the final diagnosis has been made. Depending on the nature of the pathology, one or another drug can be used:

Antibiotics for general or local use, depending on the severity of the inflammation. They are indicated for conjunctivitis, blepharitis, keratitis, dacryoadenitis and other infectious diseases.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help stop inflammation and relieve pain.
Glucocorticosteroids are used strictly according to indications. They are prescribed for the treatment of complicated ophthalmic pathologies with the ineffectiveness of other anti-inflammatory drugs.
Antihistamines are needed to relieve allergic reactions.
Antiseptics are used in solutions for washing the conjunctival cavities and lacrimal openings, as an auxiliary antibiotic therapy.
Vitamin complexes help to strengthen the condition of the eye structures.

Surgical intervention is indicated mainly for traumatic eye lesions. If the redness is caused by a blockage of the lacrimal canals, then it is surgically unclogged. If necessary, the salivary glands are transplanted into the conjunctival cavity to restore the process of hydration of the ocular cornea.

Timely access to a doctor, early diagnosis and treatment for ophthalmic pathologies is a guarantee that vision will return to the pet.

Redness of the protein and inner eyelid of the eyes in a dog is a frequent occurrence, which can be both a harmless reaction to dust and a consequence of the development of a rather serious disease. Therefore, before using any remedies and helping your pet, you should determine the cause of the redness.

Redness of the whites of the eyes is an important symptom that may indicate a medical condition.

Redness of the eyes in a dog is accompanied by symptoms, which the owner should also pay attention to:

The dog's behavior: how it eats, is it trying to hide in a secluded corner, is it scratching its eyes.
The nature of the redness. You should carefully examine the eye and determine which part and how reddened. Redness can be solid or punctate, accompanied by swelling.
The presence of discharge. In addition to redness, fluid or pus of different consistency can be released from the eye.

IMPORTANT. Observations carry important information for making a correct diagnosis. All information must be communicated to the doctor at the appointment.

The dog has a special organism that is significantly different from the human, therefore, both local irritation and deep internal problems can act as the cause of redness of the eyes:

Normal physiological response. By restoring the events of the day before the redness. This may be due to:

Redness of the eyes can be the result of overheating the dog in the sun or in a stuffy room.

Stress after a fight, frightening event, humiliation or punishment for misconduct. In this case, it is enough to calm the animal and give it the opportunity to recuperate.
Allergic reaction. Redness can be caused by a new product introduced into the pet's diet or contact with a chemical preparation, perfume.
Overheating. If the dog has been in a stuffy room for a long time, in the sun, it may develop shortness of breath, fever, loss of coordination and redness of the eyes. The pet should be placed in a cool place, covered with a wet sheet. Apply cold to the head.
Head or eye trauma. If one eye turns red, it is possible that a foreign object, dust has got into it, or the eye is injured. Contact with the cat's claws is extremely dangerous, since pathogenic microbes can enter the eye at this time. The presence of cuts on the head, hematomas indicates a head injury. In this case, the dog must be urgently shown to the doctor.
Drying of the cornea. Strong gusts of wind, sand or dust in your eyes can cause dryness and irritation. In this case, the eyes are washed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or furacilin, drops are instilled without antibiotics (Sulfacil sodium, Sofradex).

Diseases or pathologies of the eyes, internal organs:

When self-medication is detrimental to a pet

Redness of the eyes can be a symptom of a medical condition that requires urgent veterinary attention. Self-use of traditional remedies will not help, and may even aggravate the situation..

The redness of the whites of the eyes is often the result of a curvature of the eyelids. This problem cannot be ignored.

The pet needs to be shown to the doctor if there are suspicions of the following ailments:

Pneumonic plague. A serious infectious disease that, without treatment, will lead to the death of the pet. If the dog, along with redness, has discharge from the nose and eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, the animal suddenly begins to snore at night, the lymph nodes and tonsils have enlarged, the dog loses consciousness - an urgent need to show it to the veterinarian.
Turn of the century. Permanent eye trauma with eyelashes in this pathology must be corrected with the help of an operation. It is impossible to leave the problem without the help of a doctor, since the disease causes discomfort to the animal. In addition, injuries can cause corneal ulcers, purulent inflammation.
Blockage or inflammation of the lacrimal sac. Congenital obstruction of the lacrimal canal in a dog leads to a violation of the outflow of tear fluid. Only a doctor can find out the exact cause of the blockage. The problem may require surgery, otherwise complications may develop.
... An infectious inflammatory disease in which the eyelids swell, the eyeball turns red, and pus is released from the eyes. The disease requires urgent treatment.

Redness and pus after a blow is a dangerous symptom

Traumatic eye damage in a dog is a dangerous phenomenon, they can cause blindness or organ loss. If, after the impact, the white of the dog's eye turns red, and after a day or two pus appears on it, you cannot hesitate. The dog needs urgent help from an ophthalmologist.

The dog's eye can turn red from injury. It can be recognized by its characteristic squinting.

If, after a walk, the dog squints its eyes, this already indicates that there was an injury. Impact could result in damage to the optic nerve or retinal detachment. Gradually the eye can "swell", the dog will go blind. At the same time, redness of the eye is not the only consequence of the injury. An examination after an injury is mandatory.

How to remove redness at home

It is impossible to start treatment without an accurate diagnosis, but you can provide first aid to your pet to alleviate the condition:

The dog's eyes are washed with clean water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The accumulation of pus from the corners of the eyes is carefully cleaned out.
You can drop the preparations Diamond Eyes, Natural Tear - with slight redness, Tsiprovet - with severe redness.
Redness can be relieved with 1% tetracycline ointment.

After providing the pet with first aid, it is imperative to undergo a diagnostic examination at a veterinary clinic, since serious diseases need to be treated comprehensively. Only a specialist can remove foreign bodies from the eye; you cannot do this on your own.

IMPORTANT. Do not use ointments and drops intended for people to treat. The use of human allergy drops is especially dangerous. It is forbidden to use drugs based on hormones.

Redness of the white of the eyes in a dog is a symptom that may indicate mild irritation or a serious illness. In any case, it is necessary to consult a specialist in order to avoid complications and unpleasant consequences.

We offer you to watch a video in which the veterinarian talks about red eye syndrome in dogs. We wish you a pleasant viewing!