Dog eye infection

She awoke with both eyes droopy and squinting. Went on morning walk and came back inside. Both eyes have a whitish haze.

Hi Joe,
It sounds like Sierra’s condition has been worsening over the past 2 weeks. Without a photo, I do not know if the whitish haze is due to mucous over the cornea, discoloration of the cornea or pus inside her eye in the anterior chamber.

You did not mention if her pupils are dilated or constricted. Dilation of the pupils can indicate retinal disease. Constriction of the pupils can indicate uveitis.

Uveitis is a severe inflammation of the iris and uvea of the eye, and can result in diminished vision. And she may have diminished vision now, since she bumped into a chair, or because she was squinting. Squinting means that she is in pain.

I would advise taking her in to an emergency clinic today, or as soon as possible. Charlie’s eye does not sound very bad. He could wait until regular appointment hours are available.

The upper respiratory viruses or bacteria common in children are not that contagious to dogs. I do not think that Sierra ‘caught’ anything from your kids, nor do I think that she is contagious to humans.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Thanks Dr Tillman,

I took Sierra in to the Animal Emergency Clinic early in the afternoon. Her pupils appear to be dilated, but I don’t really see that big of a change from before. I did have to open her eyes with my fingers to check them when I wrote this.

One of the first things the doctor asked was about rat poison which is something I suspected since one of out neighbors has trapped the other neighbor’s cats, we have had rats in the neighborhood since. She did have a red area on her belly about 1 1/2 weeks ago, the size of a silver dollar. Told the Doc that but she left it at that. I did ask about conjunctivitis but she did not think it was that.

She was given an Eye-corneal stain, tonometry test, Tear Test Schirmer along with a PT and PTT. Doctor said that all the test came back normal except that the left eye has lower pressure so there is some concern (13, believe is the number she stated from the test). No scratches and its not glaoucoma.

She said that the redness and swelling is of some concern and it is possible that it is the allergies. But she suspects it is an ulcer injury that healed and the whiteness is scarring from the injury. She said no visible ulcer showed up during the exam and that it would not if it healed already and the residual red and irritated eyes is from the infection that occurred after the injury.

She was given antropine opthalmic drops for pain (1-2 drops once daily)and BNP opthmalmic ointment with HC (every 8 hours). She instructed us to have her visit our vet in 7 days and monitor and take her in if it gets worse.

Since visiting the vet, she has laid most of the time on the couch with her eyes shut and only partially (1/4) opens her eyes for a treat. But I have caught her in the hallway playing with a ball.

I applied the BNP opthalmic ointment with HC again tonight and her eyes appear NOT to have the white haziness. Not sure if that is do to the lighting in the house and not seeing them in day light.

Do you think I should take her in to he regular vet sooner and get his opinion or just monitor?

Thanks for your help,
Joe

Hi Joe,
Yes, I would take Sierra back in 2-3 days, not wait 7 days, just to have your regular veterinarian become familiar with what is happening. With all of the testing that was done, and the emergency veterinarian gave a diagnosis of a corneal wound with an infection, it might also be prudent to consider seeking the help of a holistic veterinarian.

I would advise boosting her immune system, with the addition of some dog dietary supplements, such as OrthoMolecular Specialties, Mega C Powder, 1/3 tsp to the food one to two times daily and Immuplex from Standard Process, one capsule on food 2 times daily.

Homeopathic remedies that might be useful would be Belladonna, Apis, or Silicea, but a holistic veterinarian would need to evaluate Sierra in person.

Hopefully, her diet is a healthy one. See our page on 10 best Dog Food Options, and consider a raw dog food diet for her.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Related Pages:
– Dog Eye Problems,
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Eye Problems Section