Treating Bloodshot Eyes in Dogs

Bloodshot eyes in dogs can be a cause for concern among pet owners. The appearance of redness in a dog's eyes may be due to various factors, and understanding how to address this issue is essential for the well - being of our furry friends. There are multiple reasons why a dog might develop bloodshot eyes. Trauma, such as an accidental bump or scratch to the eye area, is a common cause. Infections, whether bacterial, viral, or fungal, can also lead to inflammation and redness. Allergic reactions, which may be triggered by environmental factors like pollen, dust, or certain foods, can manifest in the eyes. Additionally, underlying health problems, including systemic diseases, can have an impact on a dog's eye health and result in bloodshot eyes.

When it comes to treating bloodshot eyes in dogs, it is crucial to first determine the root cause. Different causes will require different treatment approaches. For example, treating an injury - related bloodshot eye will involve steps to reduce inflammation and prevent infection, while dealing with an allergic reaction may focus on identifying and avoiding the allergen and providing relief from itching and redness.

Symptoms of Bloodshot Eyes in Dogs

Identifying the signs of bloodshot eyes is the first step toward treatment. Apart from visible redness, dogs with bloodshot eyes may exhibit other symptoms, such as:

• Squinting or excessive blinking 
• Pawing at or rubbing their eyes 
• Watery eyes or discharge 
• Squinting or avoiding bright light 
• Swelling around the eye area 
• Behavioral changes like irritability or lethargy 

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to monitor your dog closely and consider treatment options.

What Causes Bloodshot Eyes in Dogs?

Bloodshot eyes in dogs can be caused by a variety of reasons, here are some common conditions .

• Trauma 

Trauma to your dog's eyes such as impact, fighting or car accidents may lead to capillary rupture, resulting in congestion. 

• Foreign body irritation

Dust, hair, shower gel and other foreign objects that get into your dog's eyes and constantly irritate them may cause congestion, as well as scratching and tearing of the dog's eyes. 

• Eye Diseases

Eye diseases such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, glaucoma, and dry eye can cause congestion in your dog's eyes. Conjunctivitis, for example, can be accompanied by red, itchy eyes, and if left untreated may lead to worsening conjunctival damage, resulting in vision loss. 

• Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

 An infection or inflammation of the thin layer of tissue covering the eye.

Related: Conjunctivitis in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms& Treatment

• Dry Eyes (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca)

Insufficient tear production causes eye irritation and redness.

• Glaucoma

 A serious condition involving increased pressure in the eye, causing redness, pain, and even blindness if left untreated.

• Allergies

When dogs have allergies, especially to the environment, they may irritate their eyes and cause them to become bloodshot. Common allergens include dust and pollen. 

• Systemic Diseases

Certain systemic diseases, such as high blood pressure and endocrine disorders, may also lead to eye congestion in dogs. 

• Strenuous exercise

Sudden strenuous exercise in dogs may lead to accelerated blood circulation, resulting in the phenomenon of eye congestion, which is usually a normal physiological phenomenon, and the dog will return to normal after resting for a period of time. 

• Fire

Dogs with bloodshot eyes can also be caused by fire, which may be accompanied by increased eye discharge. It is recommended to adjust the dog's diet to keep it light and feed it some fruits and vegetables to help the dog reduce fire. 

If you find that your dog's eyes are congested with blood, it is recommended that you take it to the vet for an examination to determine the exact cause and treat it accordingly.

How to Treat Bloodshot Eyes in Dogs?

I. Determining the cause of the disease

• Observe the symptoms

Look carefully to see if your dog has any other symptoms besides bloodshot eyes. If there are symptoms such as increased eye boogers, itchy eyes, frequent blinking, etc., it may be an infection or allergy; if the dog has just experienced a collision or been scratched by another animal, it may be caused by trauma. Observe your dog's overall condition, for example, if there are systemic symptoms such as fever and depression, which may suggest a systemic disease causing eye congestion.

• Seek medical attention

If the cause cannot be determined or the dog's eye congestion is more severe, take your dog to the vet promptly. The veterinarian may perform eye examinations such as intraocular pressure test, corneal examination, etc., and may also perform systemic tests such as blood tests to determine the cause.

II. Treatment of congestion caused by trauma

• Clean the wound

Use saline or pet-specific eye cleaning solution, dip a clean cotton ball and gently wipe around the dog's eyes to remove dust, hair and other foreign objects that may have entered the eyes to avoid further irritation.

• Cold compress

If the eye is congested due to mild trauma, apply a cold towel or ice pack (wrapped in a towel to avoid freezing your dog's skin) around your dog's eye for 10 - 15 minutes at a time, 3 - 4 times a day to help reduce swelling and congestion.

• Use of medication

Use antibiotic eye drops or eye ointment, as directed by your veterinarian to prevent infection. Oral antibiotics may also be needed if the trauma is severe.

Eye Drops for Dog Allergies and Cats Conjunctivitis

For the treatment of conjunctivitis in cats and dogs, neomycin eye drops for dogs and cats can reduce the harmful effects of conjunctivitis, and early use of the medicine can control the development of the disease and reduce eye congestion and photophobia, and other uncomfortable manifestations.

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III. Treatment of congestion caused by infection

• Bacterial infection

For eye congestion caused by bacterial infection, antibiotic eye drops are usually required. Follow your vet's instructions and apply the drops 3 - 4 times a day for about a week. Common examples include tobramycin eye drops.
Keep your dog's eyes clean and remove eye droppings and other discharges in a timely manner to prevent bacterial growth.

• Viral Infections

Eye congestion caused by viral infections such as distemper requires systemic antiviral treatment. This may require the use of medications such as interferon, along with moisturising and anti-inflammatory eye drops to relieve eye congestion and discomfort.
Isolate the sick dog to avoid spreading the infection to other animals, and follow the veterinarian's treatment plan for regular review and adjustment of medication.

IV. Treatment of allergy-induced congestion

• Avoid allergens

If you suspect that the eye congestion is caused by allergy, you need to find out the allergens. For example, if it is an allergy to a certain food, stop feeding the food; if it is a pollen allergy, reduce the time your dog goes out during the high pollen season or wear a special mask for your dog.

• Use of anti-allergy medication

Under the guidance of your veterinarian, use anti-allergy eye drops, such as sodium cromoglycate eye drops, to reduce the symptoms of allergic reactions and congestion in the eyes. Oral anti-allergy medication, such as loratadine, may also be administered (calculate the appropriate dosage according to your dog's weight).

V. Treatment of congestion caused by systemic diseases

• Treatment of primary disease

If the dog's eye congestion is caused by a systemic disease such as high blood pressure or endocrine disorders, treatment for the original disease is needed. For example, for dogs with high blood pressure, antihypertensive drugs may be needed, and after the primary disease is controlled, the symptoms of eye congestion will gradually improve.

Take your dog for regular medical check-ups to monitor the development of systemic diseases so that the treatment plan can be adjusted in time.

Why Dogs Get Bloodshot Eyes After Surgery or Injury?

After surgery or an injury to the eye, dogs may experience bloodshot eyes as part of the healing process. In these cases, it’s important to follow your vet’s post-surgery instructions and ensure your dog gets the proper care to avoid complications.

• Managing Bloodshot Eyes in Specific Breeds

Some dog breeds, such as those with flat faces (e.g., Pugs, Bulldogs), are more prone to eye issues, including bloodshot eyes. If you have one of these breeds, regular eye checkups and special care may be needed to prevent problems.

• Diet and Bloodshot Eyes in Dogs

A well-balanced diet is crucial for eye health. Certain nutrients, such as Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin E, and antioxidants, can help maintain the health of your dog’s eyes and reduce the risk of bloodshot eyes caused by dry eye or other conditions.

When Bloodshot Eyes Signal an Emergency

If your dog’s bloodshot eyes are accompanied by symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, or difficulty breathing, it could signal a serious health issue that requires immediate veterinary attention. Don’t wait to seek help if you suspect an emergency.

FAQs

How to flush a dog's eye?

An assistant can be asked to hold the dog gently with one hand securing the dog's head to keep the dog's eyes open and to keep the dog as quiet as possible. If there is no assistant, you need to use one hand to fix the dog's head, and at the same time stabilise the dog's body with your body or other objects (e.g. walls) to prevent it from moving around.

Hold the head of the syringe or rinser at a distance of about 1 - 2 cm from the dog's eye and start rinsing from the inner corner of the eye (the side near the nose), allowing the saline to flow slowly over the surface of the eye and towards the outer corner of the eye. The rinsing should be done at an angle that avoids direct impact on the centre of the eye to reduce potential damage to the eye.

Gently squeeze the syringe or rinse to allow the saline to flow out at a gentle, steady stream. The amount of rinsing depends on the condition of your dog's eye, generally 5 - 10ml of saline per rinse is appropriate. If the eyes are heavily contaminated or there is a lot of discharge, the amount of rinsing can be increased appropriately. Repeat rinsing 2 - 3 times if necessary to ensure that any foreign bodies, secretions or irritants on the surface of the eye are thoroughly removed.

Should I be worried if my dogs eyes are bloodshot?

If your dog's eyes are bloodshot, there is something to be concerned about.

If the eyes are congested because of trauma, such as being scratched by other animals or hitting a hard object, although mild trauma may gradually recover after proper treatment, severe trauma may damage the internal structure of the eye, such as corneal scratches and dislocation of the lens. These injuries may affect your dog's vision or even lead to blindness, so they need to be taken seriously.
For example, a deep scratch to the cornea may cause an infection that further develops into a corneal ulcer, and the healing process can be long and complicated.

When a dog is infected with a bacterial, viral or fungal infection, the eyes tend to become congested. Conjunctivitis, for example, may be accompanied by a lot of eye droppings, itchy eyes, and frequent scratching of the eyes by the dog, which not only aggravates the symptoms of congestion, but may also spread the germs to other parts of the body.
Like canine distemper virus infection, in addition to bloodshot eyes, there will be fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhoea and a series of systemic symptoms, a serious threat to the life and health of the dog.

Does Benadryl help dogs with red eyes?

Conclusion

Bloodshot eyes in dogs can stem from various causes, ranging from mild irritations to more serious conditions. Early detection, proper treatment, and preventive measures are key to managing this condition and ensuring your dog’s eye health. Whether you choose at-home remedies or veterinary care, always stay vigilant and consult your vet for the best course of action.

Also Read: Dog Bloodshot Eyes: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment