EYE INFECTIONS IN DOGS
©by Skye Patterson - Revised 22-Jun-14
[email protected]
Common Causes and Treatments of Eye Discharge in Dogs
If your dog has clear eye discharge, chances are good it's caused by allergies or something physical, like dust in
the eye or wind blowing in the face. A watery discharge or mucus from one eye is often a sign of a foreign
body, like an eyelash, while yellow-green or pus-like eye discharge could indicate a serious infection. Some
problems can result in blindness or loss of an eye if left untreated.
Conjunctivitis
Mucus, yellow-green pus, or a watery eye discharge can all be signs of conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the
lining of your dog's eye. There's a wide range of causes for conjunctivitis, from allergies, injury, birth defects,
and tear duct problems, to foreign matter, dry eye, distemper, or even tumors. Other signs of conjunctivitis
include very red eyes, inflammation, blinking too much, squinting, crusty eyes, pawing at the eyes, or keeping
the eyes closed.
To treat conjunctivitis, it's important to learn what's causing it. Depending on the cause, treatment can include:
removing the irritant and soothing the area with {essential oils} to help with infection and pain; saline washes to
manage infection; surgry to treat duct problems or birth defects; {essential oils} for allergies.
Epiphora (excessive tearing)
Watery, teary eyes -- resulting in stained or smelly fur and/or infected skin -- can also be the result of many
conditions, including abnormal eyelashes, blocked tear ducts, damaged tear ducts, inverted eyelid that blocks
tear ducts, inflammation, allergies, corneal ulcers, tumors, eye pain, glaucoma, and more.
Treating excessive tearing depends on what's causing it and may include: topical antibiotics {essential oils that
deal with infections and inflammation}; topical medication {essential oils that can help body heal damage} for
cornea damage; or surgery for duct obstruction, ulcers, or abnormal eyelashes.
Dry Eye
A sticky, tenacious eye discharge could point to canine dry eye -- a failure to produce enough eye-cleansing
tears. Dry eye -- symptoms can also include mucus and inflammation -- may be the result of distemper, injury,
ear problems, a knock in the head near a tear-producing gland, or the body's own immune system attacking the
tear gland tissue. Infection is a serious risk for dogs with dry eye and can lead to painful, inflamed eyes.
Treatment for dry eye depends on how severe it is and may include artificial tears for several weeks for mild dry
eye; {essential oils that support normal immune system function}; or surgery.
Cherry eye
Or nictitans gland prolapse, is a disorder of the third eyelid in dogs. Dogs have a third eyelid in the corner of
each eye; this eyelid contains a tear duct. Normally, you can't see this tear producing gland. When canine cherry
eye occurs, the third eyelid prolapses, or slips out of its normal position, and becomes swollen and inflamed.
Your dog may paw and scratch at his inflamed eye. Discharge from the eye may be thin and watery or thick and
mucousy, depending on whether the prolapse was the result of weak connective tissue in the eye or an infection.
Cherry eye may occur in one or both eyes.
Cherry eye occurs in dogs of all breeds, genders and ages. However, some breeds are more prone to this disease
than others. Breeds more prone to cherry eye include the Bloodhound, Beagle, Boston Terrier, Bull Terrier,
Lhasa Apso and Saint Bernard.
Vets don't know exactly what causes cherry eye in dogs. Hereditary plays a part in this condition, but the role of
genetics remains unclear. Vets believe that weakness in the connective tissues of the eye allows the gland to slip
out of its proper position, or prolapse, exposing it to irritants and making it vulnerable to inflammation.
Secondary infections may cause prolapse of the third eyelid tear duct, though many causes of this disorder are
idiopathic, meaning that they occur without visible cause.
Removal of the gland may be necessary in some cases. However, in most cases, your vet should be able to
suture the prolapsed gland back into position. Your vet can perform this procedure quickly, and it carries a low
risk of side effects and complications. The success rate for this surgery hovers between 80 and 95%, allowing
most dogs to return to normal life once the surgical site has healed
Breed issues
Flat-faced dogs like pugs, Pekingese, boxers, and bulldogs can be more prone to eye discharge than other breeds
because their flatter faces often mean shallower eye sockets and protruding eyes.
Called brachycephalic breeds, dogs with more prominent eyes may have tear drainage problems; eyelids that
roll inward (entropion), causing great irritation by the lashes; or lids that don't close fully over their eyes, a
condition that can require surgery.
Breeds with loose facial skin, like bloodhounds, cocker spaniels, beagles, Saint Bernards, and some terriers, are
more prone to eyelids that roll outward (ectropion), as well as cherry eye, a condition that occurs when a gland
in the eyelid falls out of position. While antibiotics and steroids can help, surgery is often necessary for these
conditions.
These are just a few common causes of eye discharge in dogs. Because eye problems can be a sign of brain or
nerve injury, infection, or other serious problems, have your dog's eyes checked by a veterinarian to find out
what's behind your dog's eye discharge.
Preventing Eye Problems in Dogs
First, take a good look at your dog's eyes. The pupils should be the same size and your dog's eyes should be
bright, crust-free, with white around the iris. There should be little or no tearing, no squinting, and the inner
eyelids shouldn't be visible. Gently pull down your dog's lower lids: they should be pink, not red or white.
If you see tearing, discharge, tear-stained fur, cloudiness, a visible third eyelid, closed or squinted eyes, or
pupils of unequal size, something could be wrong. It's time to give your vet a call.
To help keep your canine companion's eyes bright and healthy, keep long hair out of its eyes (use round-tipped
scissors to trim the hair); keep irritants like shampoos, soaps, and flea medicine away from the eyes; and,
finally, watch for signs that may indicate an eye problem, like pawing or rubbing.
Information from following sources: http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-discharge-from-eye
©by [email protected]
Patterson - Revised 22-Jun-14
Suggested Oils/Supplements for Eye Infections/Damage*
©by [email protected]
Patterson - Revised 22-Jun-14
For Allergy Based Irritations/Infections (typically seasonal): Use the “allergy shot” protocol: 1 drop each of
Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint: Applications choices: add to wet food 2X/day, put on back paws between/on
side of toe pads; apply to chest/ears have all been shown to be effective in helping.
For Food Based Allergies: Need to check out the elimination diet instructions on the File: Allergies and Skin
Issues in Dogs.
For Damage to Eye/Cherry Eyes/Infection/Dry Eyes:
The Anti-Aging Blend
which contains some amazing oils (Frankincense, Sandalwood, Lavender, Helichrysum, Myrrh and Rose) are
very supportive in cell health/normal tissue renewal, handling infections, inflammation, pain – and have been
giving good results in helping with many eye challenges. Application: Roll about 1-2 drops worth of this
blend in the palm of your hand, add 5-6 drops of Fractionated Coconut Oil and mix. Apply 2 drops to
the eye orbit bone around each eye, NOT to the soft tissues or eye lid or in the eye. – 2 to 3 X/day.
Supplements to Support Healthy Eyes:
Omega 3 Fish Oil, A to Z and Essential Oil Cellular Complex. Refer to Supplements for Dogs file for
amounts for your size dog.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
WARNING: Many essential oils on the market contain synthetics which should not be used. Only certified pure natural
therapeutic grade essential oils should be used for safe and reliable results.
Note: All Blends/Complexes/Supplements: I will use the descriptive names, not the proprietary registered names.
To learn about the natural products at the best available prices go to: http://www.thedogoiler.com/brand of essential oils
and supplements that I recommend for your family and pets and how to purchase these powerful
©by [email protected]
Patterson - Revised 22-Jun-14