As a pet parent, ensuring your dog’s eye health is crucial to their overall well-being. Dog’s eye discharge can be a common issue, often leading to the formation of eye crust or boogers that may accumulate around your dog’s eyes. While often harmless, these crusty deposits can indicate underlying issues, such as tear duct problems, infections, or allergies, which may require attention. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the causes of a dog’s eye crust, how to clean a dog’s eye crust effectively, and when it’s time to seek professional care from a vet.
Understanding Dog’s Eye Health
Like humans, Your dog’s eyes are prone to various conditions that can lead to eye discharge, including watery eye discharge, bloody discharge, and yellow-green discharge. While some eye gunk is normal, particularly upon waking up, excessive or unusual eye discharge can signal potential health problems. Let’s explain what you should know about your dog’s eye health.
1. Tear Ducts and Tear Production
Dogs produce tears to keep their eyes moist, healthy, and debris-free. The tear ducts help drain excess tears, but when they are blocked, it can lead to excessive tearing or a dog’s eye crust. Some dogs are also more prone to developing tear stains and excessive tearing due to their breed. Flat-faced dog breeds (such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Shih Tzus) often suffer from tear duct problems, resulting in eye gunk.
- Blocked tear ducts or tear gland problems can cause tears to drain improperly, leading to eye crust buildup.
- If your dog’s eyes frequently water, it’s important to monitor this, as it can be a sign of a blocked tear duct or an underlying health issue.
2. Common Causes of Eye Discharge in Dogs
There are many reasons why your dog may experience eye discharge or an eye crust. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Allergies: Just like humans, dogs can suffer from allergies, which can cause eye irritation and watery eyes. Conjunctivitis or eye surface inflammation is also a common result of dog allergies.
- Infections: Eye infections, including pink eye (conjunctivitis), can lead to yellow or green discharge. If the infection spreads, the eye discharge may become bloody, indicating a more serious issue.
- Foreign Objects: A visible foreign object in your dog’s eye can irritate, leading to watery eyes and crusty discharge. If your dog has been playing outdoors or debris enters their eye, this might happen.
- Dry Eye: Some dogs suffer from dry eyes, whose tear glands do not produce enough moisture, causing eye crust and discomfort. This can lead to a dog’s eye crust buildup if left untreated.
- Injury or Trauma: If your dog has had an eye injury, this could lead to increased eye discharge. A vet should check eye injuries immediately to prevent more severe damage.
How to Clean Dog Eyes Crust Safely and Effectively
When cleaning your dog’s eyes, the goal is to gently remove the eye crust or eye boogers while preventing any further irritation or damage to the delicate eye area. Below are step-by-step instructions to help you gently clean your dog’s eyes and maintain eye health.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Before you begin, make sure you have the right tools to clean your dog’s eyes safely:
- Cotton balls or soft cotton pads: These are gentle enough to use around your dog’s sensitive eye area.
- Saline solution or eye wipes for dogs: These can help soften the crust and cleanse the area without causing irritation.
- Warm water: A damp cloth or cotton ball can help loosen the crusty buildup around the dog’s eyelids.
- Clean towel: This is used to wipe up excess water and keep the area clean.
Step 2: Prepare Your Dog
It’s important to make your dog feel comfortable during the cleaning process. Some dogs are sensitive around their eyes, and it’s important to be gentle.
- Calm Your Dog: Gently pet your dog and speak softly to keep them calm. You may try this procedure when your dog is relaxed or after a play session to prevent sudden movements.
- Position Your Dog: Gently hold your dog’s head in your lap or have it sit comfortably. It’s best to elevate your dog’s head slightly to allow easy cleaning. Keep your dog’s head elevated to minimize discomfort and prevent excess fluid from pooling.
Step 3: Clean the Eye Crust
- Moisten a cotton ball with saline solution or warm water. You can use store-bought eye drops formulated for dogs if you have them. If using a saline solution, ensure it is safe for pets and doesn’t contain added chemicals or preservatives.
- Gently wipe away the dog’s eye gunk by moving from the inner corner of the eye towards the outer corner. Be careful not to touch the eye directly or press too hard on the eyelids. Always use a gentle wipe motion to avoid irritation.
- If your dog has an eye crust on the eyelids or tear stains, use the cotton ball to clean around the dog’s eyelids and tear ducts. You may need a new cotton ball for each eye to avoid cross-contamination.
Step 4: Dispose of the Cotton Ball
After cleaning the dog’s eye crust, dispose of the cotton ball properly. If there’s still more debris to remove, use a fresh one. Never reuse cotton balls for hygiene reasons.
Step 5: Preventing Future Eye Discharge
To maintain your dog’s eye health and prevent future eye problems, consider the following steps:
- Regular Cleaning: If your dog tends to develop eye boogers or dog’s eye crust, regular cleaning with a damp cloth or cotton ball can help prevent buildup. A cleaning routine may be necessary for some dogs, especially those with tear duct problems.
- Balanced Diet: A healthy diet can support your dog’s overall health, including their eye health. Ensure your dog’s diet includes the necessary vitamins and nutrients that promote healthy eyes.
- Protect from Allergens: If your dog is prone to allergies, try to limit exposure to allergens, including dust, pollen, or certain foods that may trigger eye irritation.
- Regular Vet Visits: Routine visits to the vet for eye check-ups can catch potential eye infections or tear duct problems before they become more serious. Always seek veterinary advice if you notice any swelling, redness, or yellow-green discharge that doesn’t improve.
Step 6: Seek Professional Help When Necessary
If your dog’s eye discharge is yellow-green or bloody, or if you notice any signs of infection, such as excessive swelling, pain, or irritation, it’s important to seek professional help. A vet can examine your dog’s eyes and determine if there’s an underlying eye infection or other health issue, such as a blocked tear duct or nasal obstruction.
Early detection of potential issues is key to preventing further complications. If your dog has excessive eye discharge or eye crust despite regular cleaning, it may be a sign of an underlying condition such as:
- Conjunctivitis or pink eye
- Blocked tear ducts or tear gland problems
- Eye infections or bacterial growth
- Dry eye (a condition that reduces tear production)
- Allergic reactions leading to excessive tearing
When Should You Consult a Veterinarian?
Here are some signs that indicate it’s time to take your dog to the vet regarding their eye health:
1. Yellow-Green Discharge Appears
One of the most concerning signs of an eye infection is when a yellow-green discharge appears from your dog’s eyes. This type of discharge is often a sign that the tear ducts are infected, and the body produces pus due to bacterial growth. This discharge can be thick and may have an unpleasant smell, distinguishing it from normal, clear tears.
- Possible Cause: Bacterial infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye) or eye infections could be the root cause. These infections often require antibiotics, so it’s important to consult a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
- When to Act: If you notice that the yellow-green discharge is persistent and is not clearing up with gentle cleaning, it’s time to visit the vet. If left untreated, eye infections can lead to complications such as vision impairment or spread to other parts of the eye.
2. Excessive Tear Staining or Watery Eyes
If your dog’s eyes are continuously watery or their tear ducts seem to be overproducing tears, it could indicate a blockage or other issue. Excessive tearing can also cause tear stains, which are unsightly and can lead to irritation or infection in the eye area if left untreated.
- Possible Cause: A blocked tear duct or tear gland issue may be causing tears to drain improperly, resulting in constant wetness around the eyes. For certain breeds, such as flat-faced dog breeds (like Bulldogs and Pugs), this can be a common problem due to their unique anatomy.
- When to Act: If the tearing becomes excessive and you notice tear stains or that your dog is constantly wiping its eyes with its paws, it’s essential to have a vet examine the tear ducts and consider possible solutions, such as medication or surgery, to improve tear drainage.
3. Pain or Discomfort Around the Eyes
If your dog frequently paws at its eyes, squints, or rubs its face against furniture or the floor, it could indicate that it is experiencing pain or discomfort around its eyes. Persistent irritation, especially when combined with eye gunk or yellow-green discharge, may indicate an infection, injury, or underlying eye condition.
- Possible Cause: Eye injuries, conjunctivitis, or foreign objects in the eye can all cause pain or discomfort. Corneal abrasions (scratches on the eye’s surface) can also cause significant irritation and require veterinary intervention to prevent further damage.
- When to Act: If your dog shows signs of pain, consult a veterinarian immediately. Occasionally, untreated eye injuries can lead to vision loss or more serious complications.
4. Blood in the Eye Discharge
If you notice blood in the discharge or bloody eye boogers, it’s a red flag that your dog’s eye condition is more serious. Blood in the eyes or in the discharge from the eyes may indicate an injury, infection, or more severe health issue.
- Possible Cause: Injuries, eye infections, or more severe conditions like glaucoma or tumours could be the underlying cause of the bloody discharge. In some cases, blood in the eye discharge can result from an undetected injury or a rupture in the eye’s blood vessels.
- When to Act: Blood in the eye discharge should never be ignored. Immediate veterinary care is necessary to diagnose and treat the underlying issue. It may require tests, imaging, or other diagnostic procedures to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
5. Swelling or Redness Around the Eyes
Swelling, redness, or noticeable puffiness around your dog’s eyes can indicate an infection or an allergy. The area may feel warm to the touch, and your dog may show signs of discomfort or sensitivity when you attempt to clean the area.
- Possible Cause: Swelling and irritation around the eyes can be caused by conjunctivitis (pink eye), allergic reactions, or eye infections. Eye injuries or sinus infections can also contribute to swelling around the eye area.
- When to Act: If the swelling around your dog’s eyes does not improve after a gentle cleaning or persists for more than a day, it’s important to have the veterinarian evaluate the cause. Swelling, especially when accompanied by eye discharge, could indicate an infection that requires treatment.
6. Visible Foreign Object in the Eye
If your dog’s eye has a visible foreign object, such as dirt, debris, or a piece of material stuck inside it, you should first try to remove it gently. If the object cannot be easily removed or if it is causing pain, your dog may need veterinary attention to avoid further eye injuries.
- Possible Cause: A visible foreign object such as a stick, small piece of plastic, or grass can cause eye injuries if it scratches or embeds in the eye’s surface. If not promptly removed, it can lead to infection or inflammation.
- When to Act: If the object is embedded or your dog is in pain, seek veterinary care immediately. The vet can remove the object safely and treat any abrasions or infections that may have occurred.
Conclusion
Cleaning your dog’s eye crust and maintaining their eye health is an important part of being a responsible pet parent. Whether your dog suffers from tear stains, blocked tear ducts, or is prone to eye gunk, regular cleaning with the right techniques and products can help keep their eyes clear and comfortable. Always monitor your dog for any changes in their eye discharge and consult a vet if necessary, particularly if you notice signs of infection or discomfort. With proper care, you can ensure that your canine companion maintains healthy and comfortable eyes for years.
References
https://vetericyn.com/blog/how-to-safely-clean-dogs-eyes/?srsltid=AfmBOoogkphtt16sw5Ttc6agsabnkxnLrxoDnKghX5Yqw7pjuBXo0iHw
https://wagwalking.com/grooming/clean-a-dogs-eye-infection
