Unveiling the Reasons: Why Dog's Red, Swollen Eyelids A
Redness and swelling around a dog's eye corners is a relatively common occurrence, often stemming from a variety of factors. These can include internal eye infections, external injuries, or allergic reactions, among others. When you notice this in your furry friend, it's important to keep an eye out for additional symptoms such as excessive tearing, frequent scratching at the corners of the eyes, or an increase in eye discharge. These observations can help in making an initial assessment of the cause and provide appropriate home care.
What Causes Redness and Swelling Around a Dog's Eye Corners?
● Injuries: Dogs might accidentally bump into hard objects during play or fights, leading to swelling around the eye corner.
● Eye Infections: Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi are common culprits. Conditions like conjunctivitis and keratitis can result in red, painful eyes and excessive tearing.
● Allergic Reactions: Dogs can be allergic to certain substances like pollen, food, or cleaning agents, which can cause swelling around the eye corners, often accompanied by itching and tearing.
● Other Causes: Redness and swelling around a dog's eye corners can also be related to skin diseases, parasitic infections, or insect bites. For instance, fungal skin diseases, mite infestations, or flea bites can all lead to this issue.
How to Handle Redness and Swelling Around a Dog's Eye Corners?
Firstly, observe if your dog shows other symptoms, such as frequent blinking, tearing, increased discharge, or scratching at the eyes. If the situation is severe, it's crucial to seek veterinary care promptly.
Secondly, if your dog's eyes seem to be in good condition, consider using an Elizabethan collar to prevent them from scratching their eyes, which can worsen the injury or lead to infection.
Next, gently clean the swollen area with physiological saline to remove dust, discharge, and other contaminants. After cleaning, use a hairdryer to dry the wet fur, as moisture can promote bacterial growth.
Finally, apply Baiming (neomycin sulfate eye drops) to the eyes 1 to 3 times a day, one to two drops each time, to prevent eye infections. For the redness and swelling, you can apply erythromycin or gentamicin ointment to the affected area for inflammation. This method is effective for skin diseases around the eye corners caused by injuries or bacterial infections, as well as for blepharitis, conjunctivitis, and other conditions.
What to Remember
▷ Maintain a clean environment to avoid excessive foreign objects or bacteria that can affect your dog's eye health.
▷ Allow your dog to rest adequately, protecting their eyes from strong light or wind.
▷ Regularly deworm your dog to prevent infestations of mites, fleas, and other parasites.
▷ Monitor your dog's condition for about three days after starting treatment. If the redness and swelling persist or worsen, it's advisable to take your dog to a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and targeted treatment. Typically, if the swelling is due to an allergic reaction, antihistamines may be used. For mite infections, medications like ivermectin or selamectin are effective. If the redness is related to fungal allergies, oral antifungal drugs such as itraconazole or terbinafine may be necessary.
