Bloodshot eyes in dogs can signal anything from a minor irritation to a sight-threatening emergency. Knowing the difference could save your dog's vision.
When your dog's bright, clear eyes suddenly become red and inflamed, quick action is essential. This guide will help you determine when bloodshot eyes in your dog require immediate veterinary attention and what steps to take while getting help.
Top Questions About Bloodshot Eyes in Dogs
When Is a Bloodshot Eye in My Dog an Emergency?
Bloodshot eyes in dogs become an emergency when accompanied by severe swelling, thick discharge, obvious pain, or changes in vision. Dogs with these symptoms need quick veterinary attention to prevent potential vision loss. Eye problems can worsen within hours, especially when caused by injury, pressure in the eye, or bleeding inside the eye.
What If My Dog's Eye Is Red and Painful at Night?
Call an emergency veterinary clinic right away if your dog's eye becomes red and painful at night. Describe all symptoms to help the veterinary team determine urgency. Many eye conditions worsen quickly without proper treatment, so don't wait until morning if your dog shows signs of discomfort.
Can I Wait Until Morning or Do I Need Emergency Care Right Away?
You need emergency care right away if your dog is squinting, pawing at the eye, has cloudy eyes, or shows signs of vision loss. Other urgent signs include green or yellow discharge, severe redness, or visible bleeding in the eye. Mild redness without other symptoms might wait until morning, but when in doubt, call an emergency clinic for guidance.
Why Dogs Get Bloodshot Eyes
Bloodshot eyes happen when blood vessels in the eye become enlarged or inflamed. Common causes include allergies, minor irritants like dust or smoke, or mild infections. More serious causes include pressure in the eye, sores on the eye surface, or injury. Some whole-body conditions like high blood pressure can also cause bloodshot eyes in dogs.
Spotting Mild Cases
Mild cases of bloodshot eyes typically show slight redness but minimal discomfort. Your dog may occasionally rub their face but continues normal activities like eating and playing. Clear, watery discharge might be present, but the eye remains clear and the dog can see normally. These cases often clear up within a day or two with appropriate care from your regular veterinarian.
Recognizing Serious Cases
Serious cases involve intense redness, swelling around the eye, or visible cloudiness of the eye itself. Your dog may keep the affected eye closed, paw repeatedly at it, or show signs of pain when touched near the eye. Thick yellow or green discharge suggests infection, while blood in the eye (appearing as a red pool) requires quick emergency care.
What To Do
Step 1: Watch for Important Symptoms
Note when the redness began and whether it affects one or both eyes. Watch for squinting, discharge, cloudiness, or changes in the size or shape of the pupil. Pay attention to your dog's behavior, including any signs of pain or vision problems like bumping into objects.
Step 2: Call an Emergency Clinic for Guidance
Call an emergency veterinary clinic to describe your dog's symptoms and get professional advice. Be prepared to answer questions about how long the eye has been red and what other symptoms you've noticed. The clinic can help determine if your dog needs quick care or can wait to see your regular veterinarian.
Step 3: Prepare Your Dog for Safe Transport
Keep your dog calm during transport to minimize stress and prevent further eye injury. Avoid touching the affected eye or applying any medications not prescribed by a veterinarian. Use a carrier or harness rather than a collar to prevent pressure on the neck and eyes during travel.
Potential Life-Threatening Conditions
High pressure within the eye can quickly lead to permanent blindness if not treated promptly. Dogs with this condition often have very red, painful eyes with a cloudy appearance and dilated pupils. Bleeding inside the eye appears as a red pool of blood visible in the eye and may result from injury or serious internal disease. Both conditions require emergency veterinary care to save vision and relieve pain.
Helping Your Pet Before the Vet Visit
Initial Care Steps
Keep your dog from rubbing or scratching at the affected eye to prevent further damage. You may gently wipe away any discharge with a clean, damp cloth, working from the inner corner outward. Offer small sips of water and call your veterinary clinic for guidance on feeding instructions until your appointment.
How to Keep Your Dog Comfortable
Create a calm, quiet environment with dimmed lighting to reduce eye strain and discomfort. Prevent your dog from playing roughly or engaging in activities that might worsen the condition. Keep other pets away from your affected dog to avoid accidental bumps or scratches to the sensitive eye area.
Preventing Future Redness
Check your dog's eyes regularly for early signs of redness or irritation. Keep your dog's face clean, especially breeds with prominent eyes or facial folds. Avoid exposing your dog to smoke, strong chemicals, or dusty environments that might irritate the eyes. During walks, be mindful of tall grass or bushes that could scratch your dog's eyes.
We're Here to Help
Our hospitals provide comprehensive care for dogs with eye emergencies through teams of emergency veterinarians and specialists. Having multiple specialists and diagnostic capabilities available means your dog can receive complete care when needed. If you're not sure whether your dog's bloodshot eyes constitute an emergency, call us — we can talk you through the situation.
Key Takeaways
- Seek emergency veterinary help if bloodshot eyes come with pain, discharge, cloudiness, or vision changes.
- For mild redness without other symptoms, monitor closely and call your regular veterinarian for an appointment.
- Remember that eye conditions can worsen rapidly, so when in doubt, call an emergency clinic for advice.
The information contained in the article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of the advice of a veterinarian.
