Here's What You Should Do If Your Dogs Won't Open Their Eyes

Here's What You Should Do If Your Dogs Won't Open Their Eyes

Noticing that your dog won’t open one or both of their eyes can be frightening. Here’s what you need to know about handling the situation.

Canine Eye Pain Causes

Irritation, whether internal or external, can lead to eye pain in dogs. Common causes include:

  • Foreign material or debris on the eye
  • Scratches
  • Corneal ulcers
  • Inflammation
  • Trauma or injury
  • Internal eye socket infections
  • Dry eye
  • Glaucoma

If saline washes and clearing eye debris won’t help your dog open their eyes, then there may be a serious problem and you should see a vet.

Symptoms of Canine Eye Pain

Even if your dog has their eyes open, there are other possible symptoms of eye pain that you should be on the lookout for. These include:

  • Pus-like discharge
  • Red or bloodshot eyes
  • Tearing up
  • Film, haze, or cloudy appearance of the eyes
  • Mucus discharge
  • Squinting
  • Avoidance of bright lights
  • Hiding
  • Swelling
  • Dilation of pupils
  • Constriction of pupils
  • Uneven pupils
  • Cherry eye
  • Jaw pain

Examinations and Conditions

A vet will ask about your dog’s medical history, then use a pain reliever or sedation in order to examine their eyes. There are a number of different tests that a vet may do, after which they may decide to do an additional ultrasound. They may also take blood counts.

The most common canine eye pain cause is corneal ulcers, which are typically a result of injury or trauma. They are difficult, if not close to impossible to treat.

Another common canine eye pain condition is glaucoma, which leads to pressure on the eye that prevents healthy drainage. Untreated, it can become chronic and cause blindness, but even treated dogs have a 40% chance of going blind within a year.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay

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