AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to FacebookFacebookFacebookShare to TwitterTwitterTwitterShare to PinterestPinterestPinterestShare to MoreAddThisMore40
Another common question asked in everyday small animal veterinary practice is, “Why does my pet dog or cat have runny eyes?” Both canine eye discharge and feline eye discharge can have lots of causes. In some breeds of family pets such as the Persian cat or Boxer, the flattened conformation of the face typically leads to tear buildup in the skin folds in the corners of the eyes. Many times these moderate discharges bother the owner a lot more than the pet, and so I typically encourage clients to leave such problems alone.
Other times eye discharge can often indicate bacterial or viral infections, or can be frequently seen in family pets with allergies. If the discharge is thick or discolored yellow or green, then a veterinary examination is certainly recommended. often such family pets can also have upper respiratory symptoms of sneezing and nasal discharge, which is normally best diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian. Many other family pets can have eye discharges because of clogged tear ducts, which again is best examined by your veterinarian who can typically flush the tear ducts to allow the tears to flow easier, avoiding buildup in the corners of the eyes.
Many weaken colored breeds will typically have dark discoloring under their eyes because of certain pigments in the tears and/or clogged tear ducts, and lots of clients will typically ask about medications to improve the dark discoloration under these pets’ eyes frequently seen in breeds like the Maltese. There is a very effective product called Angels’ Eyes for dogs and cats that does in fact work quite well; however, it counts on the use of using an oral antibiotic called Tylosin, which in my opinion if used long term can cause imbalance of bacterial populations in the digestive tract and antibiotic resistance of bacteria. That is why I like not to use such a product long term. lots of dogs develop conditions where their eyes don’t produce appropriate tears called dry eye or keratitis sicca, which can cause a thick mucous buildup on the surface or cornea of the eye. I have found lubricants such as Puralube Vet Ointment and LiquiTears often a a lot more functional economic alternative than the a lot more expensive Optimmune prescribed by lots of veterinarians. also I have discovered that using a drop or two of Nordic Naturals Pet Cod Liver Oil directly in the eyes 3 to 4 times daily, as well as giving it orally can also help soothe inflamed, dry or ulcerated eyes.
If the above treatments do not help or your family pets eyes are badly red or light sensitive, or develops a reluctance to open the eyes or they appear in spasm, it’s always best to have a veterinary examination to policy out a lot more severe eye infections or ulcers, as well as deeper illness of the eyes such as glaucoma or uveitis. For basic infections or eye ulcers, I have found the low-cost prescription antibiotics such as Terramycin or B.N.P. Triple Antibiotic Ophthalmic Ointment as effective as some of the a lot more expensive prescription drugs. Neo Poly Dex Opthalmic eye drops are terrific for those allergic eye inflammations, as long as your vet has ruled out corneal ulcers or scratches first.
Due to the value of the eyes and the potential for a lot more severe eye conditions, if a client is ever in doubt, it is always best to have a proper eye examination by either a general veterinary practitioner, or a veterinary ophthalmologist, who focuses on eye diseases, in buy to policy out a lot more severe illness of the cornea and inner sections of the eyes.
Eyes