Itchy Red Eyes In Dogs: Could It Be Allergic Conjunctivitis
Your dogs eyes are lined with a thin pink tissue called conjunctiva that covers the inside of the eyelids, as well as the white portion of the eyeball. The conjunctiva can become red when irritated or inflamed, and result in a condition known as conjunctivitis. In humans, we know this lovingly as the dreaded pink eye, typically caused by a contagious bacterial or viral infection. In dogs, however, the cause is rarely infectious, and may point to an underlying allergic condition more akin to human hay fever. May is Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month, so our Veterinary Vision Center team would like to share some information about allergic eye conditions in dogs.
Canine eye allergies fall into two categories:
- Follicular conjunctivitis, which affects young dogs
- Allergic conjunctivitis, which affects adult dogs, who typically also suffer from allergic skin disease.
Both conditions result from an immune system overreaction to normal environmental stimuli, and are treated with similar medications. Prior to starting treatment for an allergic eye condition, well perform a thorough eye examination to rule out other common causes of conjunctivitis, such as dry eye, abnormal eye lashes, or abnormal eyelid positioning.
What Are The Best Eye Drops For Dogs
Vets Preferred Eye Cleaner for Dog checks all boxes for efficacy and safety and ranks as the best eye drops for dogs available on Amazon at the moment.
There are a few factors that one needs to keep in mind before buying dog eyedrops:
- Gentle on the Eyes. Eye drops for dogs must be easy on the eyes and not cause any form of irritation even if used over a prolonged period of time.
- Non-Toxic Ingredients. When choosing eye drops, check the ingredients. High-quality eye drops are made with safe and non-toxic ingredients.
- Efficient Cleaning Action. Make sure that the drops are efficient in cleaning the eye of any foreign matter or debris that might have entered the eye.
- Bottle or Package. Applying eye drops to a dog can be a tricky job. Make the process simpler by choosing eye drops in an easy-to-use bottle or package.
- Price. Last but not least, check the price of the dog eyedrops. If your dogs eye condition is chronic, the expenses can quickly add up.
Why Would A Dog Need Eye Drops
Before we get into the what, lets look at why. Eye drops are an important mode of treatment for many eye issues that plague our canine companions. These eye issues can be hard to differentiate as they often show up with the same list of signs.
- Squinting, not wanting to open eyes
- Redness or swelling
- Yellow or green discharge
- Rubbing face with paws or on carpet and furniture
Eye issues may affect one or both eyes at the same time. They may also cause enough discomfort to make a dog stop eating and even some lethargy. All of these signs can be caused by dry eye, allergies, infections, or injuries to any part of the eye. Other less common eye problems include tumors, tear production or drainage issues, and glaucoma.
Always see your veterinarian if your dog is experiencing any eye issues. They will be able to diagnose the cause of their discomfort in order to properly treat it. Not treating eye issues can lead to permanent damage to the eye and a dogs vision.
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What Can You Give Dogs With Eye Allergies
In mild cases, simply flushing the eyes with sterile saline once or twice a day may be enough to remove the allergen and resolve the symptoms.
You should not use contact solution for this purpose.
Although antihistamines provide relief for people with eye-related allergies, antihistamines have a variable effect in dogs with this condition. Therefore, eyedrops containing steroids are often the treatment of choice for dogs with allergic conjunctivitis.
Its important to note that steroid-based eyedrops can be very harmful to dogs with other, similar diseases in the eyes, so you should never start treatment without first consulting your veterinarian.
Severe cases may require the use of oral medications in addition to eyedrops.
Mast Cell Stabilizer Allergy Eyedrops
These are among the newest types of eyedrops. They help prevent the release of histamine and other chemicals made by your body during an allergic reaction.
Mast cell stabilizers are made to prevent your symptoms.
You may be able to use these drops for many months without any side effects. If you wear contacts, mast cell stabilizers may let you wear them longer.
Over-the-counter mast cell stabilizer drops include:
- Ketotifen fumarate
Prescription mast cell stabilizer eyedrops include:
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Allergic Conjunctivitis In Adult Dogs
Adult dogs with recurrent or persistent conjunctivitis that cannot be attributed to another underlying eye disease may have allergic conjunctivitis. Usually, these dogs have been diagnosed with systemic allergies and show other signs, including itching, skin and ear infections, and hair loss, that coincide with conjunctivitis flare-ups. Sometimes only the eyes are affected, and depending on the offending allergen, flare-ups may be seasonal. Similar to follicular conjunctivitis, this allergy causes redness, discharge, and eye rubbing, although lymphoid follicle enlargement is typically not seen.
Tips For Purchasing Dog Eye Care Products
All pet parents want the best for their animals when choosing the right products and care. Before purchasing and using eye drops for your dog, consider the following tips:
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Consult a veterinarian before giving your pet any new medication.
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Always buy products from a verified source.
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Inspect packaging when buying anything in person. If the packaging has been tampered with, its best to avoid it.
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Use eye drops and other medications only as directed.
It may also be helpful to read product reviews before you buy anything. Do remember that every dog is different, and some formulas may work better or worse than others for your pooch.
Recommended Reading: Why Do Allergies Only Affect One Side Of My Face
How Do I Give My Dog Eye Drops
There are a few steps that need to be kept in mind when administering eye drops to your dog:
Are Human Eye Drops Safe For Dogs
Dogs can experience eye problems for much the same reasons as humans. As a result, it is perhaps unsurprising that their human owners will sometimes wonder whether eye drops that have been formulated for humans can be used for dogs as well. Unfortunately, there is no simple and straightforward answer to this question because while humans and dogs might have some similarities between them, those similarities serve to illustrate the vast differences between them. In other words, there are some eye drops formulated for humans such as artificial tears and sterile eye wash that can be used on dogs. In contrast, there are other eye drops that are either useless or outright harmful, with there being no simple way for non-professionals to distinguish between the two.
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Causes And Triggers Of Eye Allergies In Dogs
Like humans, dogs can suddenly develop allergies at any time during their lifetime, even when they previously didnt have any issues.
Any dog of any age can be susceptible to eye allergies, but they are more common in some breeds, Terriers, Retrievers, Setters, and Brachycephalic breeds.
Some of the most common allergens causing eye allergies in dogs include:
- Tree and grass pollen
- Colognes and perfumes
- Certain fabrics and materials
The number of allergens that can cause an allergic reaction in a dog are so wide-ranging and individual to every dog that it’s usually difficult to pinpoint the source of the problem by yourself without proper testing.
You can try to narrow it down by keeping a notebook and noting if your dogs eye allergies get worse after being outdoors, for example. Then you’ll know that the cause is something the dog only has contact with outside, like pollen.
However, allergic reactions also are not always immediate, so the best thing you can do for a dog with eye allergies is to get an allergy screening at your local veterinary clinic.
There will be two types of tests done: a skin test and a blood test. Both tests can cost anywhere from $175 to $300, and there may be additional fees for the consultation and sedation. Some vets tack on office fees, too.
Is Visine Safe For Dogs
When our eyes get itchy, red, or irritated we reach for the Visine. That means it is okay for dogs to use it too, right? NO! It is not FDA-approved for dogs, and it might cause catastrophic damage to your dogs eyes. If your dog is experiencing irritated or itchy eyes, consult your vet and they can recommend a pet friendly eye drop. Learn more below about why Visine is not safe for pups.
Why is Visine Not Safe for Dogs?
Using Visine on a dog with vision problems is not recommended. The primary active ingredient in visine is called Tetrahydrozoline. Tetrahydrozoline is responsible for constricting blood vessels in the eye to alleviate irritation. Visine has not been extensively tested on animals and there are unknown dangers. Irritation may result from using Visine on a dog, and if swallowed, heart and neurologic effects may be seen. Visine is not safe to use on dogs. Never apply any medication to your dog without explicit veterinary instructions. Your veterinarian can prescribe the correct medication for your pet.
Why Do Dogs Need Eye Drops
There are many reasons why your dog may need eye drops. Some common reasons are listed below:
- Allergies dogs can be allergic to pollen, mold, cleaning products, and much more
- Conjunctivitis Area under the eyelid becomes inflamed
- Epiphora an excess of tears from the eye
- Breed specific issues many breeds are more likely to get glaucoma and other genetic eye issues
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Allergy Cough
What Is ‘pink Eye’ In Dogs
Pink eye is the common name used in human medicine for conjunctivitis and can occur in dogs when the tissue that covers the surface of the eye, called the conjunctiva, becomes inflamed.
Red, itchy eyes can occur because of conjunctivitis and/or many other eye diseases. Conjunctivitis may be caused by an infection , allergies, or foreign material irritating the surface of the eye. In all cases, a dog showing signs of an eye problem needs to be seen by a veterinarian because eyes are so delicate that even minor problems can snowball into serious problems quickly.
Depending on the diagnosis, your vet may treat with antibiotics, steroids, anti-inflammatories, antihistamines, or many other medications. There are a few safe and effective measures you can take at home to keep your dog comfortable while you wait for your appointment.
Why Is My Dog Itching His Eyes So Much
You might see your pup blinking excessively, pawing at her eyes, or keeping her eyes closed. The cause of conjunctivitis can be allergies, environmental irritants, or a bacterial infection. Once you bring your dog to a veterinarian, the doctor will examine your dogs eye to see if a foreign body is causing the problem.
Read Also: Do You Cough Stuff Up With Allergies
Antibiotic Eye Drops For Dogs
If your dog is suffering from a bacterial infection such as conjunctivitis, antibiotic eye drops may be prescribed, as they are designed to stop the growth of bacteria.
While the exact drops your vet prescribes will depend on a number of factors, there are several antibiotic eye drops for dogs with conjunctivitis or pink eye. These include:
- Chloramphenicol eye drops for dogs
- Isathal eye drops for dogs
- Exocin eye drops for dogs
- Clorogen eye drops for dogs
- Ciprofloxacin eye drops for dogs
- Remend eye drops for dogs
Essential Remedies For Dog Eye Allergies
Remedies for dog eye allergies fall into two categories: lifestyle and medical.
If you already know the exact cause, different preventative measures will also help stop the allergen from affecting your dog’s eyes.
Most of the treatment for dog eye allergies will be simply avoiding the allergen and some minor changes at home.
If you have a good idea of what is causing your dogs eye allergies, take these steps:
Recommended Reading: Are Allergies Inherited Or Acquired
Applying Allergy Drops For Dogs
Its time to have some fun now that youve been given a prescription for eye drops. Putting eye drops in your dogs eyes can be difficult and upsetting for everyone involved. But staying cool and rewarding your dog with goodies helps speed up the procedure so that the moisture or medication can begin soothing your canines hurting eyes right away.
Clean the eye area before administering the eye drops to your dog. Hold your dogs hand still and draw her eyelid down with one hand while using the dropper with the other. You should hold the bottle close to her eyeball for application but not touch it. This can contaminate the dropper with bacteria from your dogs eye illness.
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How Do Vets Diagnose Dog Eye Allergies
Although a test called conjunctival cytology may reveal inflammatory cells that will confirm a diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis, the cells are not always present. As a result, many veterinarians will diagnose eye allergies through the process of elimination.
Your veterinarian may perform several brief tests to rule out diseases with similar symptoms, like eye infections, dry eye, or corneal ulcers. Other details, like your dogs age, breed, and history of itchy skin, can also help point your veterinarian to this diagnosis.
In rare cases, a biopsy of the conjunctival tissue around the eyestaken while your dog is under general anesthesiamay be needed to achieve a definitive diagnosis, or to rule out other, more serious causes of red eyes.
An emerging test called the conjunctival provocation test has shown promise as a quick and easy test to definitively diagnose allergic conjunctivitis. However, its currently not widely available and would likely be performed by veterinary dermatologistsnot your general practice veterinarian.
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Treatment Of Allergic Eye Conditions In Dogs
Follicular conjunctivitis is self-limiting, meaning the condition will eventually resolve on its own. However, pets with copious discharge, or who cause self-trauma from itching or otherwise appear uncomfortable, may be treated to ease symptoms while their immune system matures and adjusts to tamp down the overactive immune response. Treatment is usually continued for several months before tapering or stopping, and may include:
- Eye flushing Sterile eye wash can rinse away debris, allergens, and discharge, to reduce the immune response and improve comfort.
- Topical steroid medications Steroid eye medications can reduce conjunctival inflammation.
- Topical immunomodulators Eye medications, including tacrolimus and cyclosporine, can help regulate the eyes local immune system and reduce the overactive immune response.
These treatments may also be used for allergic conjunctivitis, especially if only the eye is affected. For dogs with conjunctivitis associated with systemic allergies, other therapies to control their infection may include:
Best Eye Drops For Infections
Eye infections can be a bit more serious than eye allergies. Dogs may have a yellow or greenish discharge, swelling, and redness. They may also be very painful and squinting. Eye infections are best treated by a veterinarian but there are a few over the counter eye drops that you can try if youre in a pinch. Those include:
Also Check: Is It Covid Or Allergies
How Can Dogwood Referrals Help
The team at Dogwood Referrals offers an exceptional level of care and support for dog owners we treat or meet, and we offer advanced treatments with our specialist knowledge in a variety of conditions and illnesses.
If youre a veterinary professional, its simple to make a veterinary referral, simply fill in your details online or now.
We hope you found this guide to eye drops for dogs helpful and that it answers all of your questions and concerns with regards to your dogs eye health. If you need some further advice, please dont hesitate to contact us.
Final Verdict Antihistamine Eye Drops For Dogs
Sometimes, following exposure to certain allergens, dogs develop eye problems such as itching, redness, swelling and so on.
What actually happens, when there is exposure to the allergens, is production of a substance we refer to as histamine. When the histamine gets to the eyes, it causes the various symptoms.
Now what the antihistamine eye drops for dogs do is block the action of the histamine, within the dogs eyes. Once there is blockage of the action of histamine in the dogs eyes, relief tends to follow shortly.
Ideally, dogs should only use antihistamine eye drops that are formulated for use by them. That is as opposed to, say, the antihistamine eye drops meant for human use.
For the antihistamine eye drops to work well, the right dosage and the right application method are essential.
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