Dog Eye Discharge: Causes & Medication Options

Doggy eye boogers are a normal part of their physiological metabolism, so there's no need to worry. Just like humans, dogs naturally produce a small amount of oils and tears to lubricate their corneas and clear away foreign particles, all in the name of maintaining eye health.

What Does Normal Eye Discharge Look Like?

Normal eye discharge in dogs is typically minimal, appearing translucent or white, and when dried, it turns brown or black, usually found in the inner corners of the eyes.

This discharge is a mixture of tears, oils, and dust. If your dog's diet is high in fats, salt, or if they're experiencing heat, you might notice an increase in the amount of eye discharge or tears, which may have a darker, brownish hue.

However, if your dog's eye discharge becomes unusually abundant, changes color (such as yellow, yellowgreen, or with blood), or is accompanied by other symptoms (like watery eyes, redness, frequent blinking, or sensitivity to light), these could be signs of a health issue.

Common Causes of Excessive Eye Discharge in Dogs:

● Bacterial Infections: These can be caused by bacteria like rods and cocci, leading to conditions such as conjunctivitis or keratitis.

● Viral Infections: Diseases like canine distemper, canine cough, and canine parainfluenza virus can also lead to eye issues.

● Irritation from Foreign Objects: Substances like hair, dust, sand, or bathwater can be irritating to the eyes.

● Eye Structure Issues: Conditions like entropion (inward turning of the eyelashes), ectropion (outward turning of the eyelids), and dacryoadenitis (inflammation of the tear glands) can stimulate the cornea, causing an increase in eye secretions.

Proper Measures to Address Dog Eye Discharge:

1. Improve Diet

The first step is to choose a suitable dog food for your furry friend. You might consider foods rich in fruits and vegetables or those with duck and pear formulas. Additionally, you can supplement their diet with vegetables like carrots, cabbage, winter melon, broccoli, and pears, which are high in vitamins and can help with cooling and diuretic effects. If your dog is suffering from heat and has symptoms like excessive eye discharge, bad breath, or constipation, consider giving them 1 to 2 courses of Kawaning (Qingwen Baidu Tablets) to clear heat and toxins.

2. Clean the Eyes

When you notice eye discharge, gently wipe your dog's eyes with a cotton ball or pad soaked in sterile saline solution. Be careful not to introduce any secondary bacterial infections. If the discharge is thick and脓like or mucous, consider gently rinsing the eyes with saline solution.

3. Local Medication

For mild bacterial eye inflammation, medication may not be necessary. You can use Bailangming (Sulfamethoxazole Eye Drops) or apply some erythromycin or gentamicin ointment topically to control the infection. If your dog shows additional symptoms like coughing, sneezing, or runny nose, it's best to visit a veterinarian to determine the cause before considering medication.

4. Surgical Intervention

Dogs with conditions like nasal duct obstruction, entropion, or ectropion may require surgical procedures such as nasal duct flushing, eyelash removal, or blepharoplasty to resolve the issue completely.