What are the reasons for a dog having excessive eye discharge

When we crouch down and prepare to give the dog a hug, we find a large amount of eye discharge piled up at the corner of its eye. Its originally clear and bright eyes seem to be covered with a layer of cloudy gauze. Dogs can't speak, and every subtle change in their bodies is a signal conveying their health condition to the owner. An increase in eye discharge may seem like a minor problem, but it can be an external manifestation of various potential diseases or poor living conditions, tugging at the heart of every owner. Understanding the reasons behind it is not only the key to safeguarding the dog's health but also a concrete manifestation of our care for these furry companions.

From the perspective of eye health, conjunctivitis is one of the common causes of excessive eye discharge in dogs. The conjunctival tissue of dogs is prone to inflammation when it is infected by bacteria or viruses, or when it comes into contact with irritating substances such as dust, pollen, and smoke. The eyes of an affected dog will show symptoms of redness, swelling, and congestion. The eye discharge will increase significantly, and its texture is relatively sticky, usually white or light yellow in color. These increased eye secretions are the inflammatory exudates secreted by the eyes under the stimulation of inflammation. At this time, the dog will blink frequently, scratch its eyes, and even show photophobia due to the discomfort in the eyes. Just like when a human's eyes are inflamed and feel stinging and sour, they are suffering from eye problems. If not treated in a timely manner, the inflammation may spread further, affecting vision and even triggering more serious eye diseases.

Keratitis can also cause an increase in a dog's eye discharge. Compared with conjunctivitis, keratitis is more harmful to a dog's eyes. When the dog's cornea is damaged by external forces, such as being scratched by a sharp object, or when it wears an inappropriate Elizabethan collar for a long time and the collar rubs against the cornea, or when inflammation is caused by bacterial or viral infections, the corneal tissue will be damaged and ulcerated. At this time, the dog's eye discharge is not only in large quantity but may also contain blood streaks, and its color is light pink or dark red. The pain in the eyes makes them dare not open their eyes easily. They always turn their heads to one side to avoid light stimulation, and their eyes are full of pain and unease. Seeing the usually lively and active dog become listless due to eye pain, the owner is filled with distress and anxiety.

Entropion is also an important factor causing an increase in a dog's eye discharge. Some dogs are born with entropion, that is, the edge of the eyelid curls inward, causing the eyelashes to continuously stimulate the surface of the eyeball. This continuous stimulation will trigger eye inflammation and lead to the massive secretion of eye discharge. In addition, if the hair around the dog's eyes is too long and continuously rubs against the eyeball, it will also have a similar stimulating effect. The dog will frequently rub its eyes with its paws, trying to relieve the discomfort, but this often aggravates the eye inflammation and damage, forming a vicious circle. Excessive eye discharge piled up at the corner of the eye not only affects the appearance but, more importantly, seriously affects the dog's eye health.

In addition to problems with the eyes themselves, an increase in a dog's eye discharge may also be related to other health conditions of the body. When a dog suffers from diseases such as respiratory tract infections and colds, the inflammation may spread to the eyes, leading to an increase in eye discharge. At the same time, the dog may also be accompanied by symptoms such as coughing, runny nose, and sneezing. In addition, some systemic diseases, such as canine distemper and infectious hepatitis, will also be manifested in the eyes. For dogs infected with these diseases, the eye discharge not only increases but also becomes thick in texture, yellowish or greenish in color, and the eyes may even be red, swollen, and shed tears continuously. These diseases pose a serious threat to the dog's life and health. Once the owner finds that the dog has related symptoms, they must immediately take it to see a doctor to strive for precious treatment time.

Diet and environmental factors should not be ignored either. If a dog has long-term consumption of foods high in salt and fat, its body is prone to excessive internal heat, which in turn leads to an increase in eye discharge. Just like when humans eat too much spicy and greasy food and have more eye discharge, a dog's body also sends a warning in this way. In addition, if the environment where the dog lives is too dry, dusty, or has irritating odors, such as perfume and cleaning agents, it will irritate the eyes and lead to an increase in eye discharge secretion. Living in such an environment for a long time, the dog's eyes will always be in a state of stress, and its eye health will be affected.

When it is found that a dog has excessive eye discharge, the owner should first stay calm and carefully observe the color, texture, and quantity of the eye discharge, as well as whether the dog is accompanied by other symptoms, such as red and swollen eyes, tearing, sneezing, and listlessness. If the slight increase in eye discharge is caused by diet or environmental factors, the symptoms can be relieved by adjusting the diet structure, providing the dog with light and nutritionally balanced food, and at the same time, improving the living environment, keeping the room clean and moist, and reducing irritating substances. You can use a clean cotton ball dipped in normal saline to gently wipe the dog's eye discharge to keep the eyes clean. However, if the situation of the dog's excessive eye discharge does not improve continuously or is accompanied by other abnormal symptoms, it is necessary to take it to the pet hospital for treatment in a timely manner. The veterinarian will accurately determine the cause of the disease through professional examinations, such as eye examinations, blood routine tests, and pathogen tests, and formulate corresponding treatment plans.

Dogs are indispensable companions in our lives. They warm our lives with unconditional love and loyalty. Every abnormal increase in eye discharge is a health help-seeking signal they send to us. As owners, we should observe carefully and care attentively. With professional knowledge and full love, we should help dogs solve their eye problems, let their eyes regain their bright luster, and continue to accompany us through every happy day.