Why do dogs have red and swollen eyes that cannot be opened

When we find that our usually lively dogs have eyes as swollen and red as peaches, and can only barely open a slit, or even can't open them at all, their painful and helpless appearance instantly pierces the owner's heart. Dogs can't speak. They can't express the discomfort in their eyes verbally, and can only send out distress signals to their owners through their swollen and red eyes and abnormal states. The symptom of swollen and red eyes that can't be opened seems simple, but behind it lies a variety of complex causes. Each cause may bring great pain to the dogs and also make the owners fall into deep worry and anxiety. To help dogs get out of this predicament, we must deeply explore the reasons behind it and use professional knowledge and tender care to safeguard their eye health.

From the perspective of the physiological structure of a dog's eyes, the eyes are a precise and fragile organ. The surface of the eyeball is covered with a transparent cornea and conjunctiva, which not only maintain the shape of the eyeball but also protect the internal structure of the eyeball from external damage. The lacrimal gland is responsible for secreting tears, which play a role in cleaning and moistening the eyeball, and the eyelids are like loyal guards, protecting the eyeball at all times. When any of these structures is damaged or diseased, it may lead to swollen and red eyes that can't be opened.

Trauma is one of the common causes of swollen and red eyes that can't be opened in dogs. Lively and active dogs will inevitably encounter accidents during play. Being scratched by sharp branches, scratched when fighting with other animals, or accidentally hitting a hard object may all cause direct damage to the eyes. Corneal scratches are a relatively common eye injury. When the corneal epithelium is damaged, dogs will feel intense pain, with swollen and red eyes, frequent blinking, and may even be afraid to open their eyes due to the pain. At this time, the injured eye will secrete a large amount of tears, trying to wash the wound and relieve the pain. Watching the dog suffer from the injury and keep rubbing its eyes with its paws, the owner is filled with self-blame and distress, wishing to bear the pain for it. If the trauma is more serious, such as a ruptured eyeball, it will not only lead to swollen and red eyes that can't be opened but may also cause an infection and endanger the dog's vision. In this case, it is necessary to send the dog to the hospital for emergency treatment immediately.

Eye infections are also an important factor that causes dogs' eyes to become swollen, red and unable to open. When pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi invade the eyes, they can trigger inflammations such as conjunctivitis and keratitis. Bacterial infections usually lead to swollen and red eyes and an increase in secretions. The secretions may be purulent and yellow or green in color. These secretions will adhere to the eyelids, making it difficult for dogs to open their eyes. Viral infections, such as eye infections caused by the canine distemper virus, in addition to swollen, red and unopenable eyes, may also be accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever and coughing. Fungal infections are relatively rare, but once they occur, they are more difficult to treat. Symptoms such as itching, swelling, redness, and ulcers will appear in the eyes, and dogs will be restless due to the discomfort in their eyes. No matter which type of infection it is, the inflammatory response will make the dogs' eyes painful and itchy, and they can only relieve the pain by constantly shedding tears and squinting. Watching the dogs listless due to the infection, the owners are extremely anxious and seek medical advice everywhere, just hoping to find an effective treatment method as soon as possible to restore the dogs' eye health.

Allergic reactions can also cause dogs' eyes to become swollen, red and unable to open. The causes of allergies in dogs are diverse. Pollen, dust mites, certain foods, medications, etc. can all be allergens. When a dog comes into contact with an allergen, the immune system will regard it as an "enemy", initiate an immune response, and release substances such as histamine, leading to the dilation of blood vessels in the eyes and the exudation of tissue fluid, causing the eyes to become swollen and red. At the same time, allergies will also make the dogs feel extremely itchy in their eyes and keep scratching their eyes with their paws, further aggravating the swelling, redness and damage. For some dogs with an allergic constitution, the symptoms of swollen, red and unopenable eyes will recur repeatedly during the seasonal transition, which makes the owners feel both distressed and helpless. They can only try their best to help the dogs stay away from allergens and give them careful care when the symptoms occur.

Eyelid problems, such as blepharitis and trichiasis, can also cause eye troubles for dogs. Blepharitis is an inflammation that occurs in the eyelid area, which may be caused by bacterial infections, trauma or the spread of skin diseases. The inflammation will cause the eyelids to become swollen, red and painful. In severe cases, there will be ulcers and scabs, affecting the dogs' ability to open their eyes. Trichiasis refers to the situation where the eyelashes grow towards the direction of the eyeball. The long eyelashes keep rubbing against the cornea and conjunctiva, which is like small needles stabbing the eyes, causing the dogs' eyes to be painful, teary, swollen and red. Some dogs are born with abnormal eyelash growth and are prone to trichiasis problems, while others develop trichiasis due to changes in the eyelid structure after eye trauma or infection. Watching the dogs suffering from eyelid problems, the owners will try every means to relieve their discomfort, take them to the hospital for professional treatment, and hope that they can get rid of the eye torture as soon as possible.

When a dog's eyes are swollen, red and unable to open, it is an urgent distress signal sent to the owner. Every time the owner sees the dog in pain, an infinite amount of distress and concern will well up in their hearts. The bond between us and our dogs becomes deeper when they are suffering from illness. By using professional knowledge to explore the causes of the disease and accompanying the treatment with warm love, we will surely be able to help the dogs overcome eye diseases, let the bright and happy light shine in their eyes again, and continue to accompany us through every wonderful day.