Dog Eye issues

[sharkie]

I think my dog has got conjunctivitas (Sp?). one eye is weeping and red and he is reluctant to open it too much. He has recently been playing with lots of other dogs in long grass. Can dogs get it? and how do I clean it? I heard cold teabags did the trick?

[leelapops]

Hi sharkie, poor woofer. Not sure on doggy conjunctivitis, but human conjuctivitis means a sticky yellow goo that turns into a crust normally; his eye will be itchy, and he will be irritated. You say he's been in long grass, so it may well be a grass seed that's caught in his eye and stayed there, causing discomfort and irritation. If I were you I would get to the vet, it may become infected, and I am sure that could lead to a number of complications.
In the meantime, I am told cold teabags are good for wiping eyes, but be careful, as if it is a grass seed you don't want to embed it further, and if it is conjunctivitis then you don't want to spread it-it's v. contagious, certainly in human form anyway. Keep him away from other dogs, JIC.

[kita1]

It could well be a grass seed.

I would not attempt to do anything myself with the eye, far too much danger of making things worse (and I do alot of first aid on my animals!). If the dog struggles or pulls away at the wrong time you could end up doing alot of damage to the eye.

I would advise a trip to the vet, today would be best as if it is a grass seed they are often barbed and tend to bury themselves deeper into flesh, the more swollen the eye becomes the more difficult it will be for the vet to see what he is doing, if you take the dog early he may be able just to flush the eye out without any sedation of the dog.

[sharkie]

Thanks for your advice guys,

took him to vet and now, �200, a course of antibiotics and two injections later I now have a happy pup!

It was an eye infection that could have been caused by a grass seed although there wasn't one still in there. Have to go back tomorrow but he will be fine,

Thanks

[leelapops]

Ouch sharkie! So you'll be tempted to stay away from grass for now?! Is pup insured?

My dog currently has nother allergy of some sort, so I am not sure what to do. He is going straight to the vet on Monday, as I thought he was getting better but he's not. In the meantime, it's awful watching him scratch and moan his way through the day :S

Glad your dog is better :)