- Are your dog's eyes red and irritated?
Chances are it's not because
he was out partying last night.
Keep watching to find out the most likely reasons
that your dog has red eyes.
And by the way, if you want free raw
and cooked recipes you can make at home,
just check out the link in the description for more details.
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- I'm Vanessa from Dogs Naturally
and today I'm going to tell you the top 10 reasons
that could explain why your dog's eyes are red
so you can get him the treatment he needs.
We all love the gaze of puppy dog eyes,
but when those eyes are red, it may be cause for concern.
Let's talk about the most common reason for red eyes,
starting with one that is not such a big deal.
Keep watching 'til the end to learn more serious causes
that warrant a trip to the vet.
The first reason for red eyes is exposure
to environmental irritants such as smoke and pesticides.
Swimming in the ocean or a chlorine pool
could also cause red eyes.
This should clear up on its own
once you move away from the irritant.
Another obvious reason for red eyes
is if your dog has an injury to the eye while playing.
Just like when you accidentally poke yourself in the eye,
this causes swelling, watery eyes, squinting and redness.
If it wasn't too hard a hit,
your dog should recover within 12 to 24 hours.
If it's a severe trauma, however,
like running into a tree at high speed,
you may notice severe swelling
and even bleeding in the white of the eye.
In this case, get to the vet as soon as possible.
The third reason your dog might have red eyes
is due to allergies.
Just like people, dogs can get hay-fever like symptoms.
Speak to a holistic vet to figure out
what your dog might be allergic to.
Another cause of red eyes is conjunctivitis,
an eye infection caused by bacteria or a virus.
The key sign to look for with conjunctivitis
is a tomato red eye with mucky discharge.
The cornea is a clear membrane over the eye.
If something gets into the eye and scratches this membrane,
it can be opened to bacterial infection
that becomes very painful.
In addition to the redness, squinting and discharge,
you may notice your dog scratching at the eye.
You need to get to the vet right away for treatment.
Fast action could save your dog's sight.
Number six is uveitis or inflammation of the whole eye.
This infection is less common
than the others we've talked about
and is usually the result
of an underlying systemic infection
or disease like diabetes.
If your dog seems to be in pain
and tries to avoid bright light, this may be the cause.
You'll need your vet's help to find the underlying problem.
The next reason for red eyes is related to breed.
Dogs with loose skin and face folds
are prone to eyelid problems.
Sometimes the eyelid folds out, leaving the eye unprotected.
Or it can fold inward, which causes the eye surface
to be irritated by the eyelashes.
This problem usually requires surgical correction.
Skin problems like mange and pyoderma
can also cause reddening of the eyes.
A lifelong condition that can cause red eyes
is dry eye syndrome.
This autoimmune disease causes the tear glands to dry up
and is more common in certain breeds,
including pugs and cocker spaniels.
The key symptom to look for is very dry eyes,
sometimes accompanied by sticky discharge.
Consult your vet for the best course of treatment.
Our final and very serious cause for red eyes is glaucoma.
This happens when there is increased pressure
in the eyeball.
It can happen in both eyes.
A sign to look out for is swollen blood vessels
in the whites of the eyes and enlarged eyeballs.
The pupils may seem different sizes
and your dog may show signs of vision loss.
You need to get to the vet very quickly
as glaucoma can progress to blindness.
So there you have it,
the top 10 reasons for dogs to have red eyes.
Anytime you're concerned for your dog's eyes,
try to see a veterinary ophthalmologist if you can,
just to be sure your dog gets
the best specialized care possible.
If you have any questions in general
or about dog food ingredients,
make sure you leave a comment below,
we're always here to help out.
And if you like this video,
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Thanks for watching.