Dog with Swollen Eyelids and Watery Eyes

Since he has been itching and scratching his eyes and the eye area, the problem may be due to an allergy. Also, he may have scratched his cornea when itching due to the allergy, and now he has a corneal ulcer, making everything worse.

The ‘dog eye worms’ you were referring to are called Thelazia. They are usually found in outdoor dogs that have flies buzzing around their faces. The worms are about 1-2 inches long and would be seen when you pull down the eyelids like you did one of the photos. Treatment is done by manually removing the worms using a forcep to lift the worms out of the eye. Then provide protection from flies or use fly control outside.

I have never seen them in a small breed, especially if they are mostly indoors, and there would be fewer flies in the winter.

You did not say what kind of food you were feeding him, or what food he used to eat. In general, I would suggest avoiding DRY food, and feed canned and/or a raw diet. This would be much healthier for him. See our page on Raw Natural Dog Food for more information.

You did not mention if the problem started after a vaccination, which may have been given to him at the same time you moved. If this is the case, then treatment for vaccinosis would be important.

For now, you will need to continually rinse/flush both eyes with a saline solution (you can make this at home by adding 1/4 tsp sea salt to 1 cup of distilled or filtered water). Do this VERY frequently, every 2-3 hours (let him sleep during the night), for the first 1-2 days. This will help remove any debris, discharge, and help to ‘cool’ off or decrease the inflammation in the conjunctiva.

TO BE CONTINUED ON PART 2.

To really clean out the eye, you may have to put the saline into a plastic bottle with a spout, and actually squirt a ‘stream’ of saline into the inner corner of his eye or pull down the lower lid area to squirt it there.

After 48 hours, you will only need to rinse or flush his eyes every 8 hours, or 3 times daily. After each flush, then apply 2 drops of cod liver oil into his eye, three times daily. According to Dr. Richard Pitcairn, in Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, “The oil has protective functions, and the Vitamin A in it will stimulate healing.” He also recommends adding 1/8 tsp of Cod Liver Oil to the food two times daily, and Vit E 100 IU (you may have to pierce the capsule and squeeze it into the food) daily.

Your dog may need to wear a ‘cone’ or E-Collar, around his neck. Check out Trimline soft E-Collars. This will help to prevent him from causing more trauma to his eyes.

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

My dog has a similar problem. How long do I continue with the cod liver oil drops in his eyes?

Thanks for your question. I’m happy to help, but we only accept new questions from subscribers.

I’ll then get back to you right away at the bottom of your newly created web page.
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Dear Anonymous,
Thanks for your question. I’m happy to help, but we only accept new questions from subscribers (the original question above was from a subscriber).

But from the description of your problem, and no photo, I am VERY suspicious that your dog has an insect bite or sting that has caused the swelling. Please take your dog to an emergency clinic ASAP!

I’ll then get back to you right away at the bottom of your newly created web page.
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Jakkii,

From your description without a photo, it is difficult to tell you exactly what the problem might be. I suspect she may have been stung on the eyelid by a bee or wasp.

Please take her to an Emergency clinic ASAP to have her checked. She may have scratched her cornea while she was rubbing her eye, causing even more problems.

Dr. Carol Jean Tillman