Eye discharge is a common problem for some dogs. It could just be normal eye discharge or it could be a sign of something more serious, from infection to glaucoma to allergies. Our Gaithersburg vets are here to explain the types of discharge and the reasons behind them.
Eye discharge is common in dogs, but it is important to know when there is a problem. There could be an underlying medical condition of a more serious magnitude. To ensure corrective action, you must learn the various types of eye discharges in dogs and what can be done.
Types of Eye Discharge In Dogs
There are many different common types of eye discharge in dogs. Here we have listed the most common types and what to look out for.
Clear, Watery Discharge
While tears play a vital role in keeping the eye and the cornea nourished with oxygen and moisture. The excessively watery eyes of your dog may be associated with many medical conditions varying from common allergies to more serious anatomical abnormalities.
Excessive watering in a dog's eye when exposed to excessive dust irritants, pollutants, pollens, or smoke is known as epiphora.
However, If your dog experiences constant redness or inflammation in his eyes and appears to be in pain you should contact your Gaithersburg vets immediately to rule out any chances of any corneal wounds or glaucoma.
Mucus With Yellow Pus Discharge
If you notice excessive watering, plus mucus and pus discharge in your dog’s eyes, it might point to an affliction of conjunctivitis that has inflamed the inner lining of your dog’s eyes.
Among the reasons that can cause conjunctivitis in dogs, tumors, distemper, dry eye, presence of foreign matter, tear duct conditions, birth defects, and injuries are common.
Sticky And Tenacious Discharge
If your dog has a sticky eye that constantly produces a thick mucus-like substance, it might be suffering from a condition called canine dry eye.
A dry eye occurs when the dog’s tear glands are unable to produce enough tears for keeping the eye cleansed and hydrated. When left untreated, dry eyes can advance to more serious eye infections and eye ulcers due to excessive scratching or chaffing of the eye in absence of enough lubrication.
Glaucoma Associated Discharge
Some dog breeds such as Cocker Spaniels, Chow-Chows, and Poodles are predisposed to developing glaucoma at some point in their lives.
Glaucoma may be classified into two basic categories including primary glaucoma and secondary glaucoma. Common symptoms of glaucoma include dilated pupils, clouded eyes, bulging of the eyes, the sensation of high pressure on the eyes, abnormal blinking, and loss of vision.
Reddish Brown Stain-Like Discharge
Light-colored breeds are susceptible to reddish-brown pigmentation in their fur just beneath the inner eye corners.
The reason behind this color is the presence of a pigment known as porphyrin in the dog tears that transforms into a reddish-brown color upon prolonged exposure to the atmospheric air.
Normally, this condition is a "cosmetic" concern and does not mean there is any serious medical issue.
Reasons For Eye Discharge In Dogs
Your dog could suffer from dog eye discharge due to several reasons. The principal two reasons are canine conjunctivitis and seasonal discharge. Since the eye of the dog is similar to humans, the animal's eyes could get red and itchy. The primary cause of such a symptom is wind, dust, dirt, and pollen allergies. Mold spores and mites are also responsible.
A few dogs could develop several benign tumors on eyelids that rub the eye's surface. The result is discomfort accompanied by discharge for the dog. A few canines could also be born with collapsed or incomplete tear ducts. These lead tears to regularly spill over and consequently stain fur located underneath the eyes. A few dogs could be born with droopy eyelids. They roll in, causing dryness or chronic irritation, leading to eye goobers.
Dog eye discharge could also be a result of a traumatized cornea. Keratitis conjunctivitis or dry eye may cause the accumulation of slimy green mucus on the eye of a dog. Canines could suffer from excessive tearing as a consequence of abnormal lashes, glaucoma, or conjunctivitis infections.
Treatment For Eye Discharge In Dogs
Luckily there are ways to treat this and get your dog back to normal as soon as possible. The first option is to take your dog to a vet for its regular visits at least twice every year. Your vet will take the necessary steps to make sure that the eye of the dog will not cause any problems down the road.
In the case your pet is susceptible to seasonal allergies, you should start the treatment with the compound diphenhydramine. Discuss with the vet concerning antihistamines.
In case your dog has wispy and long hair which sticks to the dog's eyeballs, trim its hair away from the eyes. Surgical treatments are a must if the dog has deep nasal folds rubbing the eye or rolled eyelids. The best technique to treat dog eye discharge is gentle eye irrigation with sterile saline.
This should be done to remove any irritating substance from the eye, including pollen and dirt. The procedure should be done at least once a day, and even two times per day.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.