Dog Eye Redness & Mucus: Effective Eye Drops for Treatm

When your dog's eyes appear red and are accompanied by sticky, mucouslike discharge, it can be indicative of a variety of issues. This condition might simply be an eye disorder, or it could be a result of an infection or secondary infection due to other underlying causes. To determine the appropriate medication, it's crucial to first identify the root cause.

Here are some potential causes of red eyes and mucous discharge in dogs:

1. Eye Conditions

▶ Conditions such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, and corneal ulcers, which can be triggered by trauma, foreign bodies, or allergies;

▶ Dry eye syndrome, where insufficient tear production leads to inadequate lubrication, potentially causing redness and discharge.

▶ Eye structure issues, such as entropion, ectropion, eyelashes growing inward or outward, nasal duct obstruction, and everted palpebral conjunctiva.

2. Infectious Diseases

▶ Canine distemper, which can present with symptoms like fever, difficulty breathing, coughing, and nasal discharge;

▶ Canine infectious hepatitis, characterized by symptoms like watery nasal discharge, abdominal pain, and vomiting.

What to Do:

Given the diverse causes, the medication required will vary. It's advisable to take your dog to a veterinary clinic for a thorough examination to pinpoint the cause before administering any medication.

For simple eye conditions, topical treatments are typically sufficient. However, for more severe cases of keratitis, blepharitis, or nasal duct obstruction that require surgical intervention, it's important to choose a reputable veterinary hospital due to the higher risk involved.

For eye inflammation caused by canine distemper or infectious hepatitis, treatment should address both the eye issues and the overall symptoms. Antiviral medications should be administered to boost the dog's immunity and improve survival rates.

What to Do If You Can't See a Vet Immediately:

Firstly, gently clean your dog's eyes with a medical cotton ball soaked in physiological saline or a petspecific eye wash to remove the discharge.

Secondly, apply a standard antiinflammatory eye drop, such as Beranming (Neomycin sulfate eye drops), three to five times a day. Neomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic effective against most Gramnegative bacteria, such as E. coli, Proteus, and Salmonella, and can be used for conjunctivitis and keratitis caused by bacterial infections.

Lastly, ensure your dog wears an Elizabethan collar to prevent it from scratching its eyes, which could lead to further injury and infection.

If your dog exhibits symptoms like coughing and nasal discharge in addition to red eyes and discharge, it may have canine distemper. In this case, you can use a canine distemper test kit for a preliminary test. If confirmed, administer medications such as Kenjia (Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium), Lianhua Qingwen capsules/oral liquid, and composite vitamin tablets to address the symptoms. Also, consider injecting canine distemper monoclonal antibody or interferon to enhance the dog's antiviral capacity.

Continue treatment for 3 to 5 days, and if the dog's eye symptoms improve, continue until full recovery. If there is no improvement, consult a veterinarian promptly to adjust the medication based on their assessment and advice.