Possible Causes of a Dog Eye Discharge

Some dog eye discharge is normal among particular breeds. In other situations, it can be the result of disease or infection, and will require attention in order to improve or cure the condition. Some of the possible causes of dog eye discharge include those listed below.

Tear Duct Issues

Something as simple as a clogged tear duct can cause problems in a dog's eye. If a tear duct can't drain properly, it can prevent normal tear drainage. This leads to an excess secretion of fluid or oozing from the eye.

Eye Pain

Eye pain is another possible cause of excessive eye discharge. The pain causes the tear ducts to produce more tears than normal, which will account for the excess discharge your dog is experiencing.

Eyelid Inflammation

Eyelid inflammation can cause the same issue in your dog because of the discomfort he's experiencing. There are eye drops you can get from the veterinarian that can help treat the inflammation.

Cornea Inflammation

Inflammation of the cornea causes eye pain in dogs. The pain and discomfort can lead to excess seeping of fluid in a dog's eyes.

Inflamed Blood Vessels

Inflammation of the blood vessels in the eye usually results in your dog suffering from a great deal of pain. The pain will cause the tear ducts to produce more tears than normal, thus increasing the amount of discharge that your dog's eye produces.

Corneal Ulcers

Corneal ulcers are not particularly common, and are usually the result of an eye injury of some sort. While a corneal ulcer will resolve itself in time, the condition is very painful. The pain of the ulcer will cause a dog's tear ducts to produce more tears, which causes the eye to ooze until the ulcer heals. This can take two weeks or longer, depending on the size of the ulcer.

General Eye Defect

There are several types of generalized eye defects that can cause a dog's eye to seep excess fluid. Generalized eye defects include lens displacement and other eyelid issues.

Scratches or Cuts on the Eye

Dogs can get scratches and cuts on their eyes. The injuries themselves may cause excessive eye discharge, and should the injury become infected the discharge will likely increase and change color, which will look more like pus.

Foreign Object in the Eye

It is also possible that a dog could end up with a foreign object in his eye. If you notice your dog's eye seems to have more discharge than normal, carefully examine the eye to see if you can locate something in it that may be the source of the irritation. If you can't see anything, then it's likely one of the causes listed above is responsible.

If your dog's eye is exhibiting excessive discharge, it's important to pay attention to how long it has been happening and how much fluid there is. The color of the fluid is another important observation. If the substance is a color other than clear, or if it appears bloody, you're most likely dealing with a more serious eye issue than just a scratch or inflammation.

 

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