What to do if the dog has red eyes?

Viral diseases

Redness of the eyes can indicate both inflammation in the “mirrors of the soul” themselves (for example, conjunctivitis and keratitis), and be one of the symptoms of dangerous diseases that can be accompanied by fever, purulent discharge and be extremely dangerous for the dog. For example, red eyes are one of the symptoms of such a dangerous disease as distemper (plague of carnivores), which, even with timely treatment, can bring the dog to the grave.

Red eyes also become when the dog is infected with parasites. So, redness of the eyes is observed when the parasite Toxoplasma enters the body and multiplies inside the animal. Infection of pets with telazia threatens with no less terrible consequences. These parasites live in the eyes and can lead to complete loss of vision. With such diseases, surgery is often required to keep the pet healthy.

Injuries, tumors, allergies

Eyes become red when injured (for example, a strong blow or damage to the eye in a fight), especially if your dog managed to quarrel with a cat. The condition of the eyes is usually very disturbing for the dog, she rubs them with her paws, whines, shakes her head and tries to hide in a safe place, from her point of view.

Red eyes can also be one of the symptoms of both benign and malignant tumors. Blockage of the tear duct, as well as ingrown eyelashes, which injure the eye and cause pain and discomfort to the dog, also lead to reddening of the eyes.

Red, swollen and itchy eyes are well-known symptoms of allergic reactions. Redness in the eyes of a dog may react to a new food, shampoo, washing powder or fabric softener. Such symptoms can be quickly removed with antihistamines, but owners will have to identify the allergen to which the animal has reacted and remove it in order to prevent unpleasant consequences.

When redness of the eyes is a variant of the norm

However, red eyes can also be a variant of the norm – or rather, not a dangerous symptom of the disease, but a short-term reaction to external stimuli. For example, with reddening of the eyes, pets, however, like their owners, can react to a strong wind, especially carrying sand and dust, or to cold. In any case, when you see reddened eyes in a dog, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. An in-person visit to the clinic may not be required – in the Petstory application, you can describe the problem and get qualified assistance (the cost of the first consultation is only 199 rubles!). By asking questions to the doctor, you can exclude the disease, and in addition, you will receive recommendations for further solving this problem.

If the animal is healthy, and the redness of the eyes is the result of severe stress, for example, then a zoopsychologist will help, whose advice can also be obtained in the Petstory application. You can download the app link.