In order to help treat your dogs swollen eye, it is necessary to first determine what has caused the infection or irritation in the first place. Typically if the eye infection was caused by debris or an allergic reaction then you should be able to treat it with an over the counter eye wash or dog specific eye drops. Some eye conditions can be very serious in dogs and may require veterinary care or surgery. The main causes of swollen eyes in dogs are conjunctivitis, scleritis, blepharitis and eyelid tumours.
Conjunctivitis is caused by a bacterial or viral infection, corneal disease, eyelid infections, parasites, foreign matter or tear duct disorders. The eye will appear red and swollen and have a discharge. In order to treat conjunctivitis you can purchase antibacterial ointments for your dog or sometimes anti-inflammatory medications. Blepharitis can be recognised by red and swollen eyelids, itching, abscesses, sensitivity to light, spasms of the eyelids and a thick discharge. In order to treat belpharitis in your dogs eyes you can flush out the eyes, use antibacterial ointments or, in some cases, use prednisone. Eyelid tumours can be recognised as small lumps around the eyelid. In most cases these tumours are benign but will require surgery. If you suspect that your dog has an eyelid tumour then you should take him to your veterinarian. If the tumours are small they can be treated without surgery, this will often take place by freezing them.
If you have tried home treating your dogs swollen eye and it is showing no signs of improvement then it is important that you should get it diagnosed by a veterinarian. If you do not treat your dog's swollen eye properly or leave it untreated it could lead to your dog losing his or her vision.
Conjunctivitis is caused by a bacterial or viral infection, corneal disease, eyelid infections, parasites, foreign matter or tear duct disorders. The eye will appear red and swollen and have a discharge. In order to treat conjunctivitis you can purchase antibacterial ointments for your dog or sometimes anti-inflammatory medications. Blepharitis can be recognised by red and swollen eyelids, itching, abscesses, sensitivity to light, spasms of the eyelids and a thick discharge. In order to treat belpharitis in your dogs eyes you can flush out the eyes, use antibacterial ointments or, in some cases, use prednisone. Eyelid tumours can be recognised as small lumps around the eyelid. In most cases these tumours are benign but will require surgery. If you suspect that your dog has an eyelid tumour then you should take him to your veterinarian. If the tumours are small they can be treated without surgery, this will often take place by freezing them.
If you have tried home treating your dogs swollen eye and it is showing no signs of improvement then it is important that you should get it diagnosed by a veterinarian. If you do not treat your dog's swollen eye properly or leave it untreated it could lead to your dog losing his or her vision.