Dog Eye Discharge
Excessive or abnormal dog eye discharge is a sign of canine eye problems or other health issues.
This page looks at some possible causes of eye discharge in dogs and some natural dog eye wash to help soothe your dog's eyes..
While day-to-day clear eye discharge is normal and nothing to be concerned about, excessive or abnormal eye discharge is another matter - It is a sign indicating that
there may be some problem with the dog's eyes. Sometimes, dog eye discharge can also be a symptom of some health problem not related to the eyes.
If your dog has abnormal eye discharge, give him a thorough eye examination to see
if you can find out the source of the problem.
In addition, note that not all eye dicharge is the same. DIfferent types of dicharge indicate different dog eye problems. For example:
| Discharge |
Other Signs |
Possible Dog Eye Problems |
| Clear |
No |
Tearing mechanism problem |
| Clear |
Redness |
Conjunctivitis |
| Yellow/thick green; mucoid |
With or without pain |
Infection; foreign body in eye |
| All kinds of discharge |
Pain |
Corneal or inner eye problems |
Take your dog to the vet if:
- The eye discharge is excessive
- The discharge is greenish in color; or bloody; or mucoid-like
- The surrounding eye tissues are red and inflamed
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Possible Causes of Dog Eye Discharge
Most cases of eye discharge are caused by canine eye problems, such as:
Sometimes, dog eye discharge is caused by some form of structural abnormality in the dog's eyes. For example:
- Eyelid defects, such as inward rolling of the eyelids (entropion), or outward rolling of the eyelids (ectropion)
- Eyelash disorders, such as distichiasis (a condition in which the eyelashes grow out along the edge of the eyelid and rub on the cornea);
ectopic cilia (a condition in which the eyelashes grow out from the inside of the eyelid rub against the cornea);
and trichiasis (a condition in which the eyelashes on the outer eyelids are too long that they rub on the eye)
- Obstruction of tear drainage ducts due to abnormal tear ducts or tear duct openings
- Lens luxation (dislocation into the front chamber of the eye)
Finally, trauma and injuries can also cause eye discharge in dogs:
- Trauma to the eye
- Trauma to the nose, palate or bones of the face around the eye
- Foreign objects getting into the eye
Besides canine eye problems, some other canine health problems can also cause excessive or abnormal dog eye discharge. For example:
As you can see, there are a lot of possible causes of dog eye discharge. It is important therefore to note and inform your vet the characteristic of the discharge, as well
as other signs and symptoms that your dog may be showing in addition to the eye discharge, so that a proper diagnosis can be made.
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Dog Eye Wash for Dog Eye Discharge
If excessive eye discharge is the only symptom (i.e. the dog behaves normally and looks fine), you can first use a saline solution to clean the eye and monitor the
condition for a couple of days. If excessive discharge continues for over two days, it's time to see the vet.
You may also want to consider these natural eye wash products to clean and soothe your dog's eyes:
PetAlive Eye-Heal : This eye wash contains 100% natural ingredients
in an herbal tincture. All the ingredients are good for eye health, such as Burdock, Rosemary, and Meadowsweet.
Ark Naturals Eyes So Bright for Dogs : This natural eye wash
is formulated to soothe irritating eyes and is great for removing foreign debris and encrustation that build up in the mucous membranes of a dog's eyes.
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Prevention of Dog Eye Discharge and Eye Injuries
There are quite a few things that you can do to protect your dog's eyes. For example:
- Observe and check for abnomalities in your dog's eyes regularly
- Wipe the eye discharge gently away with a moist cloth every day
- Long facial hair should be trimmed regularly especially around the eye area to avoid eye irritation
- Protect your dog's eye when using shampoo or applying flea/tick repellents
- Avoid exposing your dog to allergens and irritants as much as possible (e.g. plant pollen and seeds, toxins, household chemicals, etc.)
- Never use human OTC eye drops on your dog
- Visit your vet annually for an eye examination
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