What makes a dogs eyes bloodshot

Belgium - Belgique. Brazil - Brasil. Canada English. Costa Rica. Croatia - Hrvatska. Denmark - Danmark. Finland - Suomi. France - France.

Germany - Deutschland. Greater China - Taiwan. Italy - Italia. Latvia - Latvija. Malaysia Bahasa. Netherlands - Nederland. New Zealand. Norway - Norge. Philippines English. Poland - Polska. Puerto Rico English. Republic of Singapore English. South Africa. Sweden - Sverige. Switzerland Suisse. Switzerland Schweiz. United Kingdom. United Arab Emirates English. United States. Cherry eye is more common in young dogs. A defect in the attachment of the tear gland can prolapse and protrude from behind the third eyelid and appear as a red, fleshy mass.

Cherry eye itself is not painful but exposure of this normally moist gland to the air can dry and irritate it. The most common treatment is surgery to restore it to its correct position. Untreated, cherry eye can lead to keratoconjunctivitis sicca dry eye , conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers which can be chronic, cause pain and even lead to loss of the eye. If your pet is squinting, it may not seem like a big concern.

You may think it is due to the sun or a bit of dust in the eye s. If it continues, though, squinting can be an indicator of something more serious. Squinting is commonly the result of a scratch to the cornea or a corneal ulcer. The cornea makes up the front of the eyeball. Some dogs have a genetic disorder that weakens the ligaments holding this eyelid in place, causing the eyelid to pop up and look like a cherry in the inner corner of the eye. Eye problems in dogs are not always an emergency but do require prompt attention.

When you schedule the appointment, provide a brief history of the redness, including when the redness started and what other symptoms you see.

Do not try to diagnose and treat the eye redness yourself. Also, do not delay taking your dog to the veterinarian. Eye problems can progress to something more serious—and possibly painful—if not treated promptly. The sooner your dog can be seen by your veterinarian, the better.

If your vet suspects corneal damage, she will add a few drops of a fluorescent green dye on the cornea to see if there are any corneal scars or scratches. For example, if your dog has dry eye, your veterinarian will prescribe medications like cyclosporine, which stimulates tear production, or artificial tears. His eyes can become very dry and red. Talk with your vet about your dog's best options and consider if a prescription might be necessary.

Glaucoma is a serious issue caused by fluid and pressure build-up in the eye. If glaucoma is not treated quickly, it can lead to blindness. In some cases, your dog may need surgery or his eye may need to be removed.

These ulcers are usually caused by an injury, such as a scratch to the eye. The thin membrane in front of the eye wears away and causes trauma to the eye. If the ulcers are not severe your vet will prescribe antibiotic eye drops and advise that your dog wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent him from pawing at his eye. For more serious cases, your pup might need surgery or a corneal transplant.

In some cases, your pup might wear a soft contact lens over his cornea until it heals. If not addressed quickly, this condition can cause blindness. Your vet will prescribe a combination of antibiotic ointments and drops for the eyes and oral medications. In very rare cases, eye removal might be necessary. When in doubt, always see your vet!