Eye Boogers In Dogs - Should You Be Concerned? (Part 2)

It turns out that these gooey blobs, or eye-boogers, are more common then you would think. The correct term for them is “eye discharge” and can be caused by a variety of things.

However, some causes can indicate a more serious underlying condition and should not be taken lightly… Here’s Part 1, in case you missed it.

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS)

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is commonly referred to as dry eye. This condition tends to happen when your dog’s tear gland becomes infected or your dog experiences an eye trauma. If you notice a yellowish discharge, swelling surrounding the eye or eyelids, excessive blinking, and the inability to produce tears, you should make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible. This condition can put your dog’s cornea at risk for further infections or damage. The last thing we want is to place our dog’s vision at risk!

Glaucoma

Glaucoma happens when there is pressure on the eye, making the draining of ocular fluid difficult. Dog breeds such as Poodles, Chow Chows, and Cocker Spaniels experience glaucoma more than others. Primary glaucoma is when the eye is unable to drain, causing fluid to get backed up in the eye, this is the one type. The second type of glaucoma is Secondary glaucoma, and this happens when the eye experiences trauma that blocks drainage. If you notice excessive blinking, a bulging eye, clouded eyes, dilated pupils, and/or vision loss, take your furry friend to the closest vet as soon as possible!

How can you help?

There are ways in which you can help your dog avoid eye drainage. You can keep the hair around their eyes short and use shampoos and tick/flea medication with caution. If your pet experiences tears, you can buy dog eye wipes from pet stores and try to use a damp a towel to clear any type of debris around the eye at the end of the day.

You are the one who knows your canine companion the best! So, if you notice anything unusual or behavioral changes around the eye area, rather take a trip to the vet just to be safe!

Feature Image Source: Pixabay