Dog Eye Discharge: Dealing with Pus in Eye Mucus
Why Do Dogs Produce an Excessive Amount of Eye Discharge? It Turns Out That This May Also Be a Sign of Abnormal Physical Conditions in Dogs. Let's Explore These Issues One by One with Dr. Oxygen, Guiding Pet Owners Through the Possibilities.
1. Dog's上火 (上火: A Chinese term referring to internal heat)
An increase in eye discharge and dark tear stains are classic signs of internal heat in dogs. If your dog's eye discharge suddenly spikes, it's important to consider if they might be suffering from internal heat. This condition often arises from improper and unbalanced feeding practices, such as a diet that's too rich in fats and salt, or when owners excessively indulge their pets with human food like leftovers, chips, and cookies. These fried foods can be taxing on humans, let alone our fourlegged friends.
Dogs with ongoing internal heat issues may exhibit additional symptoms like bad breath, yellowish urine, and a heavy tear stain. Unhealthy feeding habits can also strain a dog's liver and kidneys, and even increase the risk of obesity. It's advisable for pet owners to strictly control their dog's diet, switching to natural dog food, limiting treats, and increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables to supplement vitamins and boost immunity.
2. Congenital Duct Obstruction in Dogs
Congenital duct obstruction can occur in both cats and dogs, but it's more common in dogs, particularly in breeds like Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, Teddy Bears, and Bichon Frises. This condition is often caused by a closed tear duct or a fold of the conjunctiva covering the tear duct. Dogs with this issue may have dirty fur around their eyes, so it's important for owners to regularly clean their pets' eyes and surrounding area to prevent infection. In some cases, surgery may be an option to correct the eye's shape.
3. External Irritation to the Dog's Eyes
Foreign Objects: Urban dogs often come into contact with dust, sand, exhaust fumes, and other foreign particles. Additionally, dogs may experience irritation due to their own bodies, such as eyelashes falling out or eyelids rolling inwards, which can cause constant friction and lead to redness, swelling, and pus.
Injuries: Dogs are naturally playful and may frequently injure themselves. Many of these injuries are hidden by their fur, but fortunately, dogs with shorter eye hair often allow for quick detection and prompt treatment. It's crucial for owners to properly care for wounds to prevent eye inflammation.
Allergies: Both diet and environment can trigger allergies in dogs. Food allergies may require veterinary care to identify allergens and prevent future exposure. Environmental allergies, often caused by mold, dust, or pollen in the air, may necessitate veterinary eye cleaning and medication.
4. Viral Infections
Certain viral infections in dogs can lead to eye issues. Viral eye problems are often easy to identify, as they are usually accompanied by other complications, such as fever, coughing, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, or even neurological symptoms like seizures and spasms. These are all signs of viral infections.
The above reasons are common causes of excessive eye discharge and pus in dogs. As pet owners, it's crucial to identify the root cause rather than just treating the symptoms. Simply wiping away the discharge is only a temporary fix.
