Discharge from the eyes of your dog is a common problem that may be completely normal, while others are associated with potentially serious health problems. Each discharge is an indicator of a different problem. For you to determine when action needs to be taken, we recommend that you first understand the various types of dog eye discharge and what each may mean.
Symptoms of Runny Eyes
For you to know that your dog has watery eyes, the most obvious symptom will be a discharge from the eyes or a watery appearance of the eyes. Moreover, redness of the eye, puffiness, dampness and wetness under the eyes, and rubbing of eyes with the paw, or against other objects due to irritation are common signs to watch out for.
Types of Runny Eyes
Discharges from the eyes are different and each indicates a different underlying condition. Here are the most common types of discharge.
- A Goop or Crust
This is a perfectly normal occurrence whereby the dog has a small amount of discharge in the eyes especially in the morning or a long nap. The crust should, however, be easy to remove. The eyes should not be red and your dog should not exhibit any signs of eye discomfort.
- Watery Eyes
This is indicated by abnormal overproduction of tears which could indicate an attack by bacteria, an allergy or a blocked tear gland.
- Entropion
This is a condition that occurs when the eyelid rolls inward and the lashes on the surface of the eyelid rub against the cornea. This causes excessive tears and irritation
- Conjunctivitis
This condition occurs when there is a swelling of the outer tissue lining the eye.
- Dacryocystitis
This is caused by a swelling of the tear duct which can be genetic or acquired from the environment.
Causes of Runny Eyes
Watery eyes can be caused by a variety of causing agents like bacteria, viruses, facial hair, fungi, glaucoma, allergy to pollen, dust, mold, or other things among other causes.
Remedies
Once your dog exhibits these signs, we recommend that you consult a veterinary officer to run a diagnosis. Once the diagnosis has been done, the medical professional will determine the cause of the irritation and or excessive water and offer the required medication.
Conclusion
Watery eyes in dogs are a serious problem especially if left unchecked. We recommend that you consult a medical professional once these signs are exhibited.
References: Wagwalking, PetMD
