Dog has swollen eye: causes & prevention

5. Corneal injury

Does your dog occasionally get into fights with other dogs or other animals, or does he occasionally go out alone? Then you should pay particular attention to the eye area after the walk, because the four-legged friends are one of them Risk group for corneal injuries.

All it takes is an unfortunate scratch or bite, a sharp twig or a thorny bush. The cornea is scratched and can no longer fulfill its protective function.

Dangerous emergency

A corneal injury is a dangerous thing must be treated immediately. Without help as quickly as possible, there is a risk of permanent damage and even blindness!

The first symptoms of such an injury are still rather imprecise; the owners often do not even notice that something is wrong with their pet: the four-legged friends often just blink significantly more and often have tears in their sometimes cloudy eyes.

At advanced course However, there is also redness, swelling and sometimes purulent discharge – especially because the cornea has already been attacked by germs.

6. Glaucoma (green star)

At a glaucoma the outflow of aqueous humor in the inner eye is disturbed. Since it continues to be produced, it increases eye pressure like in a cauldron. In the long term, the optic nerve becomes more and more affected, and at some point the connection is so disrupted that the dog goes blind.

Unfortunately, the symptoms of glaucoma are not always recognizable to laypeople, They often look like a simple eye infection: affected four-legged friends show redness and swelling, and cloudy colors can often only be seen with a trained eye.

The following breeds are particularly at risk:

  • American Cocker & English Springer Spaniel
  • Border collie
  • German hunting terrier
  • Entlebuch Mountain Dog
  • Flat Coated Retriever
  • Shar Pei.

Source: Hofheim Animal Clinic.

Most cases of glaucoma in dogs are so-called primary glaucomas. They are genetically determined, the chamber angle is then from birth deformed. Unfortunately, they occur on both sides, meaning the dog's entire eyesight is at risk.

In addition to the breeds mentioned, other dogs can also develop gene mutations. It is a good idea to ask the breeder whether the parents have been diagnosed with glaucoma – if this is the case, your four-legged friend will probably also be affected.

7. Misalignment of the eyelids

If your dog is constantly dealing with swelling, it could also be one Misalignment of the eyelids be behind it.

Veterinarians also speak of one “Entropion”. One eyelid – usually the lower one – is then turned inwards, so that problems arise when closing it: eyelashes, hair and occasionally foreign bodies such as dust particles then get on the cornea and permanently irritate it.

Prof. Dr. Corinna Eule from the FU Berlin about entropion and treatment options. Source: Thomas Wengenroth / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blCpxzPXMK4 .

Affected dogs often have to deal with watery eyes and redness. They are also significantly more susceptible to swelling.

However, there are also acquired misalignments that are not present from birth. These can be caused, for example, by traumatic injuries, chronic inflammation or malnutrition due to being underweight.

You should definitely not underestimate this misalignment: Due to the constant irritation, the cornea is gradually destroyed, and without corrective measures many four-legged friends will eventually lose their eyesight.

This is another misalignment Ectropion. The eyelids are then turned outwards, the phenomenon is also known as “hanging eyelids”.

8. Allergic reaction

In many cases there is simply one allergic reaction behind it. If the eyes are affected, it is usually due to environmental influences that cause the body to overreact.

Typically these are plant allergens such as pollen or grass. They cause symptoms that are very close to hay fever. The eyes become red and occasionally swollen, and tearing is also common.

In some cases, such an allergy also develops into conjunctivitis – especially if plant material gets into the eye.

9. “Cherry eye” (prolapse of the nictitating gland)

So-called are also relatively common Prolapse of the nictitating membrane glands in dogs. He kicks especially in young dogs until the age of two.

The nictitating gland is particularly important for… Tear production important. In some dogs it enlarges or is (still) too weak to remain in the skin. Then it pops out and looks like a swelling – due to its visual appearance, such a prolapse is also known as “cherry eye”.