GoodRx Holdings Inc.

08/10/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/10/2024 20:38

Why Is Your Dog’s Eyeball Swollen, and What Should You Do About It

Eye swelling in dogs can have many causes. Allergies, bacterial infections, and injury are some of the more common reasons. But serious eye disease can also cause your dog's eye to get puffy and can affect their vision. That's why it's important for your dog to see a veterinarian at the first sign of a swollen eyeball.

Here are some common causes of swollen eyes in dogs and what you can do to protect your furry friend's vision.

What should you do if your dog's eye is swollen?

If your dog's eye is swollen, visit a veterinarian to determine the cause. Since puffiness or bulging can affect your dog's vision, you'll want to address any issues as soon as you notice them.

What causes a dog's eyeball to swell?

There are several reasons your dog's eye may swell. Common causes are injuries, allergies, and infections. Some of the most common conditions that cause canine eye swelling are:

BlepharitisBlepharitis, which means inflammation of the eyelid, is a condition that causes pain, itchiness, redness, and inflammation of a dog's eyelid. The condition can be caused by allergies, trauma, infection, or inherited eyelid abnormalities.

Conjunctivitis Canineconjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the membrane that covers the white part of the eyeball and lines the inner eyelid. Dogs have a third eyelid located in the inner corner of the eye. If your dog has conjunctivitis, this area may also appear red and swollen.

Conjunctivitiscan be caused by:

  • Irritants
  • Eye disease
  • Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection

Chronic superficial keratitisChronic superficial keratitis, or pannus, involves darkening and increased blood vessel development on the eye's surface.

Dry eye syndrome Dry eye syndrome, known askeratoconjunctivitis sicca(KCS), is another common cause of dog eye swelling. A lack of tear production causes dry, painful, and swollen eyes in dogs.

KCS is one of the most frequent causes ofcorneal diseasein dogs. A vet can diagnose it by performing aSchirmer tear test, which uses a small strip of paper to test the amount of tear production in your dog's eyes.

Corneal ulcers Some infections can cause eye ulcers on rare occasions, but acorneal ulceris typically the result of an eye injury. The injury can cause fluid to build up, giving the eye a cloudy appearance.

Corneal ulcers are often caused by trauma to the eye, for example:

  • A foreign object getting stuck in the eye (such as a splinter, sand, or grass)
  • Repeatedly rubbing the eye
  • A branch scratching the eye

Genetic eye disordersCornealdisorders in which the cornea in both eyes deteriorates are often inherited conditions. These are more common in certaindog breedslike terriers because of the genetic component.

UveitisUveitiscauses inflammation in the middle section of your dog's eye. It can result from eye infections commonly caused bybacteria,corneal disease, or eye trauma.

What can you give your dog to help treat a swollen eye?

Avoid treating your dog's swollen eye at home with human or previously prescribed medication. Instead, consult a veterinarian within 24 hours to diagnose the underlying cause of your dog's swollen eye. The vet will perform an eye exam and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Depending on the cause, a vet may prescribe:

What dog breeds are most prone to swollen eyes?

Certain dog breeds are prone to eye disorders that cause swelling, including:

When should you see a vet if your dog's eyeball is swollen?

See a vet immediately if your dog's eyeball is swollen because eye issues can result invision loss, pain, and permanent eye damage.

When is a dog's swollen eye an emergency? A veterinarian should always examine a swollen eye, but consider it anemergencyif you notice any of the following:

  • An injury that results in the eye bulging out of its socket
  • Sudden cloudiness of eye
  • Swollen eye becomes painful to touch
  • Bleeding in the eye
  • Discharge coming from the eye
  • Your dog is unable to close their eyelid
  • A foreign object in the dog's eye
  • An object has penetrated your dog's lens
  • The eye is ruptured or appears to have a hole in it
  • A corneal ulcer
  • Significant swelling of the eye within the socket
  • Sudden loss of vision

Take your dog to an emergency vet or veterinary ophthalmologist, since sedation or surgery might be required to save your dog's vision.

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" data-qa="ContentCalloutH2Title" The bottom line

If your dog's eyeball is swollen, the best thing to do is take your pup to a veterinarian. There are a variety of reasons why your dog's eye might swell. Swelling can result from allergies, minor illness, significant injury, or underlying disease. Certain breeds are genetically prone to conditions and diseases that cause swollen eyes in dogs. Don't try to treat your dog's puffy eyes at home. Instead, take your dog to a veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic. Early diagnosis is critical and could potentially save your dog's vision.