What are the reasons why puppies have red eyes

When we look down at our beloved puppy, those eyes that were originally bright and clear now turn an abnormal red, as if covered with a layer of mist, instantly tugging at the owner's heartstrings. Puppies can't speak, and every abnormal change in their bodies is a silent distress signal. Red eyes may seem like a minor symptom, but they can be an external manifestation of various health problems. Only by the owner's careful observation and in-depth exploration can the root cause be found, and timely care and treatment can be given to the puppy.

From the perspective of the eye's own problems, conjunctivitis is one of the common causes of a puppy's red eyes. Conjunctivitis, that is, inflammation of the conjunctival tissue, is usually caused by bacterial or viral infections. When a puppy is exposed to a contaminated environment, such as allergens like dust, pollen, and mold, or comes into contact with sick animals, it may trigger conjunctivitis. At this time, the puppy's eyes will show symptoms of redness, swelling, tearing, and increased secretions. Just like the discomfort in human eyes when suffering from conjunctivitis, the puppy will also frequently rub its eyes with its paws due to the stinging and itching in the eyes, and may even show a restless mood. If not treated in a timely manner, the inflammation may spread further and affect the vision.

Keratitis is also an important trigger for a puppy's red eyes. Keratitis is more serious than conjunctivitis and is an inflammation of the corneal tissue. When a puppy is playing, its eyes may be accidentally scratched by sharp objects, such as branches or the edges of toys, or long-term wearing of an inappropriate Elizabethan collar may rub against the cornea, which may all trigger keratitis. The sick puppy's eyes will be obviously red and painful, and the symptoms of photophobia and tearing will be aggravated. In severe cases, the cornea will become cloudy and ulcerated. This not only makes the puppy suffer great pain but may also lead to blindness. Seeing the puppy not daring to open its eyes due to pain and always hiding in the corner, the owner's heart is filled with distress and anxiety.

In addition to eye inflammation, ingrown eyelashes are also a factor causing a puppy's red eyes. Some puppies are born with abnormal eyelash growth directions. The ingrown eyelashes that turn inward will continuously stimulate the surface of the eyeball, causing redness, swelling, tearing, and inflammation in the eyes. Just like how a person feels uncomfortable when a lash gets into their eye, the continuous stimulation of the puppy's eyelashes on the eyeball will make the discomfort persist, seriously affecting their quality of life. The puppy will blink frequently and scratch its eyes, trying to relieve this discomfort, but this may further aggravate the eye damage.

The redness of a puppy's eyes may also be related to health problems in other parts of the body. Nasolacrimal duct obstruction is one of the common causes. The nasolacrimal duct is the passage for tears to drain. If the nasolacrimal duct is blocked, tears cannot be drained normally, and they will accumulate around the eyes, breeding bacteria, causing inflammation, and leading to red eyes. At the same time, the puppy's eyes will also show an aggravated tear stain, and its originally clean little face will become dirty. In addition, some systemic diseases, such as canine distemper and infectious hepatitis, will also be manifested in the eyes, causing red eyes and increased secretions. These diseases not only threaten the puppy's eye health but also pose a serious threat to their lives. Once the puppy is found to have other symptoms such as fever, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea, the owner must attach great importance to it and seek medical attention immediately.

In addition, environmental factors and living habits may also cause a puppy's eyes to turn red. Staying in a dry and dusty environment for a long time, or using poor-quality pet supplies, such as an inappropriate dog bed or a rough towel to wipe the eyes, may all irritate the puppy's eyes and cause redness. In terms of diet, if a puppy has long-term consumption of foods high in salt and fat, it is likely to cause excessive internal heat, and the symptoms of red eyes will also appear. Just like how people get excessive internal heat after eating too greasy and spicy foods, the puppy's body will also send a warning signal through red eyes.

When it is found that a puppy's eyes are red, the owner must not take it lightly. First, carefully observe the puppy's symptoms, including the degree of redness of the eyes, whether there are secretions, the color and texture of the secretions, the puppy's mental state, and appetite, etc. This information is crucial for the veterinarian to diagnose the condition. If it is mild redness of the eyes, it may be caused by environmental irritation or excessive internal heat. You can first use a clean cotton ball dipped in normal saline to gently wipe the puppy's eyes, keep the eyes clean, and adjust the diet to reduce the intake of salt and fat, and observe whether the symptoms improve. However, if the puppy's eyes are severely red, accompanied by increased secretions, eye pain, photophobia, listlessness, and other 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 ocular fluorescein staining and cytological examination, and give corresponding treatment.

Puppies are the little angels in our lives, accompanying us with unconditional love and loyalty. When their eyes turn red, it is like a health red light is on. As owners, we should understand and care for them with our hearts, use professional knowledge and warm love to help the puppies dispel the haze in their eyes, let their eyes regain their bright luster, and continue to run and play happily in the sun, sharing the wonderful moments of life with us.