Dogs » mongrel with inflamation around eyes

liam	mongrel with inflamation around eyes My mongrel (labrador/german shepherd) of 11 years has inflammation quite badly around her left eye. There is a slight discharge from the eye which I believe has caused the skin around the eye to become so inflammed. The hair has dissapeared in the inflammed area and the right eye is starting to become inflammed but at a lesser degree. She had this problem before about 4-5 months ago but it cleared it's self up but now it has returned and is alot worse. Could anyone advise me on what to do and what the cause of this discharge is? She is neutered; 15+ kg and is fed on bakers complete. Thank-you, liam. 8/3/06 Answer this question
stuart	Conjunctivitis or inflamation of the membranes around the eye can have many causes ranging from local irritation by dust a foreign body or wound to a reflection of internal disease. The fact that both eyes are involved suggests the latter is more likely so consequently I advise you to get her examined by a vet tomorrow. In the mean time you can bathe the eye area gently using fresh swabs of cotton wool moistened with a solution made from a teaspoonful of salt to a pint of boiled water. Dry well afterwards by dabbing with dry kitchen tissue and apply a little vaseline to the scalded areas. 8/3/06
liam	Thanks Stuart.I took you're advice and have just got back from the vet. My dogs eyes have cleared up alone these past two weeks but still slightly inflammed. Well the vet said to me that it is probably an infection of the area that she could have picked up from anywhere. The vet has given me Fucithalmic eye drops to apply to the area 2x daily, and then recommended salt water bathing. So I will try this and let you know what happens within 10 days. However, you are the second person to tell me that it could be an internal problem. I mentioned this to the vet who didn't seem to think that that was so much the case. The consultation was expensive so I wasn't too happy with what she had to say, but I will do this treatment and see what happens. 15/3/06
stuart	The internal diseases I referred to in my initial reply are infectious diseases caused by viruses or bacteria. I am sure that if any were involved in this case you would be seeing other signs by now so do not worry about them. It is more likely that any infection involved is local and has been tranferred fom one eye to the other by rubbing etc. May sure that there is no exposure to dusts or drafts and all being well the drops will sort the problem out. I look forward to the update in 10 days or thereabouts. 15/3/06

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