Why Is My Dog's Eye Red, Goopy, or Squinting?

Red, goopy, or squinting eyes in dogs are usually one of a few common problems: conjunctivitis, a scratch or ulcer on the surface of the eye, allergies, dry eye, or something caught under the eyelid. Squinting and pawing at the eye are the two signs that mean a vet should see your dog the same day, because eye problems can worsen quickly.

What are the most common causes?

• Conjunctivitis (pink eye). Redness, discharge, and swelling of the tissue around the eye. Can be bacterial, viral, or allergic.
• Corneal ulcer. A scratch or abrasion on the clear surface of the eye, often from a stick, cat claw, or grass. Very painful.
• Allergies. Seasonal or food-related, usually affecting both eyes with clear discharge and itching.
• Dry eye. The eye stops producing enough tears and becomes red, dull, and prone to infection.
• Foreign body. A seed, grass awn, or hair trapped under the eyelid.
• Anatomy. Flat-faced breeds, and dogs with hairy or droopy eyelids, are more prone to irritation and entropion, where eyelashes rub the eye.

What do the signs look like?

Clear, watery discharge usually suggests irritation or allergy. Thick yellow or green discharge suggests infection. A held-shut eye, a cloudy patch on the surface, or a red rim around the eye are more serious.

What should I do right away?

Do not use human eye drops unless your vet prescribed them. Some over-the-counter drops contain ingredients that make ulcers worse.

You can gently wipe away discharge with a clean, damp cotton pad, one direction, one pad per eye. A cone collar from your vet, or a soft e-collar, stops pawing while you wait for an appointment.

How does the vet figure it out?

Your vet will usually place a drop of stain on the eye to check for an ulcer. That test takes seconds and changes the treatment completely, which is why guessing at home is risky. They may also measure tear production with a small strip.

Is it contagious to my other pets or to me?

Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis can spread between dogs in a household. Wash your hands after handling your dog's face, and keep bedding separate until the vet has looked. Most dog eye infections are not contagious to people.

When to call your vet

Call your vet the same day, and go to an emergency clinic if it's after hours, if you see:

• Holding the eye shut, or a visible squint.
• A cloudy, bluish, or rough patch on the eye surface.
• Pawing or rubbing at the face.
• Sudden redness with no discharge in one eye.
• Any eye problem in a flat-faced breed, which can escalate faster.

Eye damage that gets treated within hours usually heals well. Left overnight, a simple scratch can become an ulcer that is much harder to fix.

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This article is educational and isn't a substitute for veterinary advice. If you're worried about your dog, call your vet.