Lily Miller There are several reasons why your dog’s eye might be swollen, such as trauma, bacteria, viruses, and allergies. Even though most cases of eye swelling are easily treatable, if the condition is not treated, symptoms may worsen and cause more pain and discomfort.
Dogs are susceptible to eye infections just like people are. Your dog’s eye being swollen and red when you get home is not improbable. There is nothing worse than witnessing your dog in discomfort and pain, and it can be concerning to observe your dog’s eye swollen and puffy. A dog’s swollen eye can be treated in a variety of ways, thankfully.
Discover the causes, signs, and remedies for the swollen eye in your dog in the sections below.
Table of Contents
Causes of Swollen Eyes in Dogs
Swollen eyes in dogs can be brought on by a number of different conditions. Different areas of the eye are susceptible to eye infections. Some of the most common causes of swollen eyes in dogs include:
- Parasites:It’s possible that parasites known as eye worms are the cause of your dog’s swollen eye. These parasites are present in the conjunctival sac, tear ducts, and conjunctiva and move quickly around the eye in a snake-like manner. The infective eye worm larvae will be left on a dog’s eye by flies, which usually serve as the intermediate hosts for these parasites1.
- Bacteria:Swollen eyes in dogs can be brought on by several different bacterial infections, including canine brucellosis, leptospirosis, and tick-borne illnesses like canine ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease.
- Viruses:Dogs may develop swollen eyes due to a variety of viruses, including canine influenza, distemper, herpes, and hepatitis 2.
- Trauma:Swelling and redness can result from an eye trauma in dogs. A stick, ball, insect sting, dirt, or dust in the eye are examples of things that can happen to a dog’s eyes.
- Scratch on the cornea:Another factor contributing to a dog’s swollen eye is a scratch or cut on the cornea. Swelling and redness in the eye can result from nail scratches, scratches from foreign objects, or scratches from another animal.
- Ruptured Blood Vessels:Swelling in the eyes could be caused by ruptured blood vessels under the conjunctiva. A blood condition, an infectious disease, or eye trauma can all be the cause of this. Normally, ruptured blood vessels don’t need to be treated, but if your dog’s eye experiences any significant changes, you should take them to the doctor as soon as you can1.
- Pink Eye:Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, a flimsy mucous membrane that covers the front of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelid. Allergies, environmental irritants, viral infections, or eye tumors can all lead to conjunctivitis. Infection is typically to blame for conjunctivitis in both eyes, while conjunctivitis in one eye is typically brought on by a foreign object in the eye or inflammation of the tear duct1.
- Allergies:Your dog may experience swelling in the eyes due to allergies if they are exposed to a bothersome allergen. Dogs can develop allergies to a variety of substances, including pollen, mold, dust, smoke, or insect stings, all of which can result in eye swelling.
Symptoms of Swollen Eyes in Dogs
It’s crucial to be aware of the signs of canine eye swelling so you can spot it before it gets worse. The symptoms of an eye infection can vary depending on the severity of the infection and its underlying cause, and it can affect one or both eyes. Some of the most common symptoms of swollen eyes in dogs include2:
- Swelling:Usually, the first sign that your dog has an eye infection is swelling around the eyes.
- Excessive blinking:Blepharospasms, a condition marked by excessive, uncontrollable blinking, are another typical sign of dogs’ swollen eyes.
- Redness:If your dog has red, swollen eyes, they most likely have an eye infection or irritation. Their eyes’ white parts will be reddened.
- Watery eyes:An additional typical sign of swollen eyes in dogs is watery discharge or tears from the eyes.
- Thick eye discharge:Dogs with eye infections frequently exhibit thick eye discharge.
- Light sensitivity:It’s likely that your dog is experiencing light sensitivity as a result of swollen eyes if you notice that they always turn away when they enter a bright room or go outside during the day.
- Squinting:While the occasional squint in your dog is normal, persistent squinting that can be controlled is a sign of an eye infection.
- Holding eye shut:A dog with an eye infection may try to keep one eye closed to lessen some of the discomfort from the swelling.
- Pawing at the eye:Another typical sign of swollen eyes in dogs is pawing or rubbing at the eye as they attempt to cope with the discomfort.
Treatments of a Swollen Eye on a Dog
The main reason for the infection ultimately determines how to handle a dog’s swollen eye. But you need to take your dog to the vet to find out what’s causing the infection. An eye exam and several tests are required to diagnose a dog with swollen eyes.
A Schirmer tear test, fluorescein stain, and intraocular pressure are a few frequent examinations your veterinarian may carry out to identify the cause of your dog’s swollen eyes. The production of tears in the eye is measured using the Schirmer test. An ulcer or scratch that may be causing swelling is sought after by a fluorescein stain on the eye’s surface. Intraocular pressure scans the eye for internal pressure changes that could indicate glaucoma.
Once your vet has properly diagnosed the condition causing your dog’s swollen eyes, you have a couple of options for treatment, such as:
- Eye drops:Eye drops will probably be recommended if a bacterial infection is suspected as the cause of the swelling. In order to prevent them from scratching their eyes while they are recovering, your dog may also need to wear a buster collar.
- Steroids:Your dog will receive treatment with steroids if an allergic reaction is to blame for the swollen eyes. A few days should pass before the eye inflammation subsides with the help of steroids.
- Antihistamines:To treat swelling brought on by allergies, antihistamines may also be advised. But before giving your dog any oral antihistamines you take, such as Benadryl or Zyrtec, make sure to consult your veterinarian. Although these can be used to treat mild to moderate allergies, always consult your veterinarian before using them.
- Antibiotics:There are some conditions that can cause swelling in a dog’s eyes and can be treated with topical and oral antibiotics. If a foreign object in the eye, bacterial infection, corneal abrasion, or pink eye are to blame for the swelling, a veterinarian may advise antibiotics.
- Allergy medications:If your dog’s face is swollen, this is most likely due to an allergic reaction and your vet will probably prescribe allergy medications to bring the swelling down.
- Surgery:Surgery might be needed in more serious cases of swelling. Tumors, corneal ulcers, serious cases of glaucoma, and extreme trauma are all situations when surgery is likely needed to treat the swelling
Tips for Preventing Swollen Eyes in Dogs
It can be challenging to stop swollen eyes in dogs from happening because there are so many different potential causes. Any issues can be found early on with regular check-ups from your veterinarian, before they result in the eyes swelling. As much as possible, you should try to keep your dog away from things that could hurt its face, such as insects that sting and bite.
Basic safety precautions that you would normally take for your dog will also help prevent the eyes from getting hurt and swollen. Regular dental care and refraining from letting your dog chew on objects that could break its teeth will also be beneficial. By doing this, you can lessen your risk of developing tooth root abscesses.
How Does Blepharitis Relate to My Dog’s Swollen Eye?
Your veterinarian might use a specific term to formally describe eye inflammation. It’s called blepharitis, which is an eyelid inflammation. Dogs of any age can develop blepharitis, but certain breeds are more susceptible due to their genetics and physical characteristics.
The dog breeds that are more prone to blepharitis include:
- Shih Tzu
- Chow Chow
- Chinese Shar-Pei
- Poodle
- Pug
- English Bulldog, Pekingese
- Lhasa Apso
- Rottweiler
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
Inspect your dog’s eyes frequently for indications of swelling, redness, or watering if you own one of these breeds.
Symptoms of Blepharitis
The eyelids will turn red and swollen when blepharitis affects one or both eyes. Blepharospasms, which cause your dog’s eyes to spasm, may also begin. In addition, your dog may exhibit eye discharge, redness around the whites of his eyes, flaky skin around his eyes, loss of pigment, and other symptoms.
Causes of Blepharitis
Common causes of blepharitis in dogs include:
- Staph or bacterial infections
- Congenital abnormalities due to breed features
- Allergies of any sort
- Tumors
- Traumatic injuries to the eye
- Parasite infections
- Other eye diseases
Even in some cases, veterinarians are unable to identify the root cause. We call this idiopathic blepharitis.
Swollen Eyes Vs. Blepharitis
“Swollen eye” is a broad term, as a swollen eye may be caused by various disorders and conditions in dogs. The location of this depends on what caused it and may happen in or near the eye.
While the dog’s eyelids specifically experience inflammation with blepharitis. It is not a standalone condition but rather a sign of more severe eye issues. Dog blepharitis can be brought on by infections, allergies, tumors, and other eye conditions. It is frequently treated with a warm compress to reduce inflammation. Discharge should be eliminated throughout the therapeutic process.
Although it can be challenging to tell a swollen eye from blepharitis, both conditions require professional evaluation and treatment. Either ailment might be a symptom of a more serious issue that needs a treatment plan designed especially for your dog.
When to See a Veterinarian
As soon as you notice a problem with your dog’s eyes, call your veterinarian. Sometimes what appears to be a small amount of swelling can develop into serious problems that, if discovered sooner, could have been treated more effectively.
It’s crucial to monitor your dog’s health to make sure they are recovering properly. Consult your vet right away if symptoms worsen, persist for a long time, or indicate the development of an infection.
If you are worried about your pet’s health or wellbeing, don’t be afraid to seek professional assistance.
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