Finding your dog with red eyes is a situation that worries any guardian. Is it serious? Does it need a lot of care? What can it be? The truth is that knowing the origin of your dog's red eye is often difficult and requires the help of a veterinarian (preferably specialized in ophthalmology), even to start the most appropriate treatment. However, some problemsend up being more common, as is the case with conjunctivitis and glaucoma in dogs. With that in mind, we have separated the main reasons behind a dog with red eyes and other symptoms that can help you understand what it is about. See below!

1) Dog with red eye may be a symptom of conjunctivitis

As with humans, conjunctivitis is also an eye disease that can affect dogs. A dog with a red and watery eye is one of the most obvious signs of the disease, but other symptoms that can also be observed are excessive tearing, difficulty keeping the eyes open and scratching of the ocular membrane. If this is the case with your dog, it is extremely important to take care of it.It is important to see a vet as soon as possible to prevent the progression of the disease which, if left untreated, can lead to blindness. The sooner it is diagnosed, the easier and quicker the treatment will be.

2) Red eye in dog is sometimes caused by a corneal ulcer

Another reason behind a dog with a swollen and red eye is a corneal ulcer. Although it is less common than conjunctivitis, it is still a cause for concern. Some breeds, such as the Pug, Shih Tzu and French Bulldog, are more prone to developing the disease. Besides the dog with a red eye, other clinical signs of corneal ulcer are: severe pain in the eye area,sensitivity to light (photophobia), decreased pupil size, eyes blinking too fast and too often. Diagnosis should be made by a specialist and treatment may vary according to the severity of the situation.

3) A dog with a red, itchy eye can be a sign of an allergy.

Allergies in dogs can manifest themselves in different ways and one of them is leaving the dog with a red eye. Several reasons can be behind this allergy: it may have been something that the puppy ate or even a little dust that may have got inside his eye. Contact with allergenic substances such as cleaning products, weeds and pollen also often cause the eye to turn red.It is not exactly a worrying situation, but it is still good to be very careful with everything that comes into contact with your pet, as even a simple allergy can end up evolving into a more serious condition.

4) Dog: red and swollen eyes are symptoms of glaucoma

Glaucoma in dogs is a rather serious problem that needs a lot of attention. There are several stages of the disease and the first one manifests itself mainly with the dog having a swollen and red eye. Then other symptoms that can be observed are blueness or greying of the cornea, frequent lacrimation and enlargement of the eyeball. The puppy can also start to present withcompulsive behaviors and frequent scratching of the eye area. It is essential to take the dog to the veterinarian if there is any suspicion of glaucoma, as the progression of the disease may end up leaving the dog blind.

5) Dog with red and swollen eye may also be uveitis

Like glaucoma, uveitis in dogs is an eye disease that often leaves the dog with a red and swollen eye. More common than you might think, the problem consists of inflammation of the uvea, the layer of the eye that vascularizes the eyeball. In addition to tearing and sensitivity to light, another sign of uveitis is apparent bleeding points. Treatment of the disease usually consists of the use of anti-inflammatory drugs.inflammatory drugs, analgesics and antibiotics.

Eye drops for dogs with red eyes need to be prescribed by a veterinarian

Regardless of the cause behind your dog's red eye, never try to treat the problem on your own. Self-medication of pets is quite dangerous and instead of helping your four-legged friend, you may even end up harming his health. Therefore, do not hesitate to seek advice from a veterinarian. Only the veterinarian will be able to identify what caused the redness in the eye.Under no circumstances should you look for homemade recipes on the internet or any other alternative without the advice of a doctor, as the eyeball is a very fragile area that must be treated with great caution.