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Swollen Eyes in Dogs
Written By Kevin Hughes
Published: 07/25/2017Updated: 07/29/2024
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
What are Swollen Eyes?
If your dog’s eye is swollen, don’t ignore it. It’s important that you consult your veterinarian as soon as possible for further advice and for a consultation. Swollen eyes in dogs can occur due to a number of causes — some more serious than others.
If your dog’s eye is swollen all of a sudden, or your dog’s eye is swollen shut completely, you’ll need to pay an immediate visit to your vet, and treatment could be urgent. In this guide, we’ll delve into more detail about what can cause swollen eyes in dogs, and how to treat swollen eyes in dogs.
Why Swollen Eyes Occurs in Dogs
‘Why is my dog’s eye swollen?’ is typically a pet parent’s very first question when they see their pup with an eye issue. The answer is — it could be for lots of different reasons. From an allergy to an infection, or even a more serious underlying health condition, a swollen eye (or eyes) could be a symptom of many potential problems.
Some of the most common causes of your dog’s eye being swollen include:
Some of the most common causes of your dog’s eye being swollen include:
- Conjunctivitis
- Glaucoma
- Foreign object or injury
- Allergic reaction
- Tumors
- Infection
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis (swelling of the lining of the eyes) is a common condition that can make a dog's eye swollen. It can be caused by either external irritants or eye infections; conjunctivitis occurs when there is inflammation surrounding the tissue that covers the eye.
Swollen eyes in dogs are a common symptom of conjunctivitis, which can affect either one eye or both eyes. A viral or bacterial infection will usually lead to both eyes being affected and swollen. Allergens may affect one eye or both if the irritant enters the eyes.
Some signs to look out for to determine if your dog’s eye is swollen because of conjunctivitis are:
Some signs to look out for to determine if your dog’s eye is swollen because of conjunctivitis are:
- Red or swollen eyes
- Repetitive blinking
- Squinting
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge
- Redness to the eye membrane
- Behavioral changes such as withdrawal and inactivity
- Mucus or pus discharge from the eyes
There are different types of conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is usually seasonal and not contagious to other dogs. It is typically caused by environmental irritants such as dust or pollen.
Viral conjunctivitis is caused by a viral infection which can take up to a month to recover from. It is highly contagious to other dogs.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by a bacterial infection and is also highly contagious. There are other causes of conjunctivitis too, such as dry eyes and entropion (malformation of the eyelid which causes the edges to roll inward).
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a serious eye condition, caused when there’s insufficient drainage of the aqueous fluid rather than the overproduction of fluid. There are two classifications of glaucoma — both primary and secondary glaucoma result in increased, even abnormal, pressure in the eye. This inevitably triggers a bulging of the eye and can result in a dog’s eye appearing swollen all of a sudden. Does your dog have glaucoma? Tell-tale signs can include:
- Physical swelling of the eye
- Bulging of the eye
- Watery discharge
- Eye pain
- Cloudy cornea
- Blindness
- Squinting
- Tearing
Glaucoma can be a sudden, or chronic, condition. In the most severe of cases, if not treated urgently, glaucoma can lead to irreversible eye damage, and even blindness. It’s thought some dog breeds — including the Basset Hound, Cocker Spaniel and Beagle – are more susceptible to glaucoma than others.
Foreign object or injury
If your dog’s eye is swollen all of a sudden, without warning, it could be because of an injury, or the impact of a foreign object. What’s a foreign object? It’s when something — an object — penetrates the eye, causing damage. Dogs can easily suffer damage to the cornea of the eye due to lacerations and ulcers.
Some active dogs love to explore and shove their faces into bushes when out and about, so there’s always a risk of a branch or stick scratching their eye. Grass awns, dust, grains of sand — all can infect the eye and lead to discomfort.
Symptoms of a foreign object or injury causing your dog’s eye to become swollen can be:
Some active dogs love to explore and shove their faces into bushes when out and about, so there’s always a risk of a branch or stick scratching their eye. Grass awns, dust, grains of sand — all can infect the eye and lead to discomfort.
Symptoms of a foreign object or injury causing your dog’s eye to become swollen can be:
- Watering of the eye
- Redness
- Discharge
- Excessive blinking
- Rubbing at the eye
Allergic reaction
An allergic reaction can make a dog’s eye swollen all of a sudden. When an allergy affects the eyes, they can quickly turn watery, look red and become itchy. Your dog might typically react by scratching the affected eye, which in turn can make the situation even worse and possibly lead to an infection. An allergic reaction — which could be to an insect bite or sting — can also result in a swelling of the throat, something that can become very serious, very quickly, so don’t hesitate to call your veterinarian.
Tumors
A dog’s eye that’s swollen can be an indicator of a serious condition. Tumors in a dog’s mouth or face can increase pressure on the eyes and make them swell and protrude. There may not necessarily be any pain, but this symptom cannot be ignored as the long prognosis for a dog with a tumor is poor — especially if left undiagnosed and untreated.
What to do if your Dog is Swollen Eyes
If your dog develops swollen eyes, it’s critical for them to be assessed by a veterinarian as quickly as possible. How urgent the situation is depends on what you can see; with a slight soreness or swelling, you may decide to monitor your dog’s condition during the day to see if there’s any improvement.
However, in many instances you’ll need to speak to your vet — especially if your dog’s eye is swollen all of a sudden or your dog’s eye is swollen shut.
However, in many instances you’ll need to speak to your vet — especially if your dog’s eye is swollen all of a sudden or your dog’s eye is swollen shut.
It’s important to understand what’s causing your dog’s eye to be swollen, and your vet will take steps to do that.
Firstly, share as much information with your vet as you can. When did the swelling start? Has your dog eaten anything that might have triggered the swelling? Has your dog come into contact with something that could have caused an injury to the eye?
Your vet will conduct a physical examination of your dog. Administering a liquid anesthetic to the eye can help to numb any discomfort, while your vet looks for signs of an injury, or the presence of conjunctivitis.
A fluorescent stain can be used to detect any injuries to the cornea, and if a foreign object is spotted — a sliver of stick, a grass awn — your vet can remove it. That could clear up your dog’s swollen eye very quickly.
Your vet will conduct a physical examination of your dog. Administering a liquid anesthetic to the eye can help to numb any discomfort, while your vet looks for signs of an injury, or the presence of conjunctivitis.
A fluorescent stain can be used to detect any injuries to the cornea, and if a foreign object is spotted — a sliver of stick, a grass awn — your vet can remove it. That could clear up your dog’s swollen eye very quickly.
Treatment for swollen eyes
How to treat swollen eyes in dogs varies, depending on what your vet has diagnosed as the cause of the swelling. If your vet has determined that your dog’s swollen eye or eyes are a result of allergies, you’ll probably be prescribed antihistamines to give to your pet. These will reduce the inflammation and irritation. If it’s due to conjunctivitis caused by a bacterial or viral infection, your dog may be given oral antibiotics and eye drops to help reduce the symptoms and eliminate the cause. For a fungal infection, expect an anti-fungal ointment to form the basis of treatment.
Glaucoma presents a different treatment challenge — and treatment has to be swift, to reduce the risk of permanent damage and even blindness. Your vet will need to reduce the pressure within the eye immediately. Medications may be prescribed to decrease fluid production and prompt drainage in the eye, while analgesics are also prescribed to reduce the discomfort and pain your pup is in.
Surgery might be required in the most severe of cases.
Prevention of Swollen Eyes
A lot of common health issues with dogs can be prevented — a regular deworming program will reduce the chances of your pet getting worms, maintaining vaccinations can stop common canine diseases such as distemper and parvovirus.
Preventing your dog’s eye becoming swollen isn’t always as easy.
The best advice is to remain observant when it comes to your pet. If your dog has been off-leash, tearing around a park or in the countryside and happily exploring, when you get home check his or her eyes for any signs of dirt or debris that shouldn’t be there. Use a warm compress to bathe and gently wipe your dog’s eyes, reducing the chances of an infection.
If glaucoma is causing your dog to have swollen eyes, there isn’t much you can do by way of precaution. Just take quick action and book a veterinary appointment if you suspect your dog has this condition — early diagnosis of glaucoma means earlier treatment.
The best advice is to remain observant when it comes to your pet. If your dog has been off-leash, tearing around a park or in the countryside and happily exploring, when you get home check his or her eyes for any signs of dirt or debris that shouldn’t be there. Use a warm compress to bathe and gently wipe your dog’s eyes, reducing the chances of an infection.
If glaucoma is causing your dog to have swollen eyes, there isn’t much you can do by way of precaution. Just take quick action and book a veterinary appointment if you suspect your dog has this condition — early diagnosis of glaucoma means earlier treatment.
Cost of Swollen Eyes
Swollen eyes can be expensive to treat. The cost of treating your dog’s eye when it’s swollen varies according to the condition your pet is diagnosed with. Antihistamines for an allergy or oral antibiotics for conjunctivitis won’t cost much — the price of the vet appointment plus the medication itself — but treatment for a more serious condition such as glaucoma could run into thousands of dollars.
A pet insurance plan can help you to meet the cost of treatment for your dog’s swollen eyes. Use free Wag! Compare to search for and compare plans in seconds.
A pet insurance plan can help you to meet the cost of treatment for your dog’s swollen eyes. Use free Wag! Compare to search for and compare plans in seconds.
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Swollen Eyes Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Blue nose pit bull
Six Years
16 found this helpful
16 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
White Part Of Her Eyes Are Swollen
dog has a swollen eye. The white part of one eye is swollen but not the pupil. No change in food, treats or interaction. Have yet to visit the vet. Is this just an infection or something more serious. Looked as if the white part was swollen on just one side of the eye almost bulging out a little over the pupil. Advice??
Sept. 29, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
16 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Sometimes what you are describing can be caused by an allergic reaction of some type, especially if it is both eyes. Having her seen by your veterinarian would be a good idea, as she may need some medicated drops. I hope that all goes well for her.
Oct. 3, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Goldendoodle
Eight Weeks
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
She has a red/swollen eye its sensitives and she has restless sleep.
Sept. 29, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. If her eye is red and swollen, and it is not getting better, it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. She may have an infection, or a problem with her eyelid or eye, or something in her eye. They will be able to look more closely and see what's going on, and get any treatment that she needs. I hope all goes well for her.
Oct. 3, 2020
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Chihuahua mix
Nine Years
9 found this helpful
9 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Slight Under Eye Swelling On Left Eye.
There was a morning where my dogs under eye on his left eye was very swollen. I gave it a day in case it was an allergic reaction. It went down by end of day, but has never gone completely down. He eats just fine and even likes to chew rawhide bones with no problem. But the slight swelling hasn’t gone all the way down. It doesn’t seem to hurt him when I touch it. Should I see a vet? It’s been about a month.
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
9 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I do think, if it has been a month and it has not gone away, that seeing a veterinarian would be a good idea. They will be able to examine your dog's eye closely, see if there is a growth or an infection or some other problem, and let you know if treatment is needed. I hope that all goes well for your dog.
Oct. 6, 2020
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Golden Retriever
Over 1 year
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swollen Eyes
I don't know what to do.. I found my dog with swollen eyes
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in response, there is a delay in receiving these emails sometimes.
If her eyes are still swollen, it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian. She may be having a reaction to something, or she may have an infection or irritant in her eye. They will be able to look at ehr eyes and see what might be going on.
I hope that all goes well for her!
Oct. 7, 2020
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Australian Cattle Dog
Ten Weeks
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swollen Eyes And Lethargy
We’ve had our puppy for less than 36 hours. She’s developed bilateral swollen/puffy eyes and lethargy in the last hour. She won’t open her eyes or respond to our voice.
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
She sounds quite sick, and it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian right away.
I hope that she is okay.
Oct. 8, 2020
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Boxer
George
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swollen Eye, Itching
Boxer dog one eye is swollen almost shut. This happen all of a sudden he is already on meds for allergies, now this! Seems really red at corner and eyelid area swollen I gave him 25 mg of benadryl 5 hrs ago did not really help alot but he is 64.5 lbs so may need to go to 2 of the 25 mg tablets. Dr. Callum Turner DVM that has gave great advice on here I have seen. Can you tell me if I should keep trying benadryl or what I can do. Times are hard now because of COVID-19 pandemic and be great if there is home remedy I could try or should I be running back to his vet like immediately! He has no other apparent symptoms
Labrador Retriever
Denzu
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swollen Eyes
My dog is suffering from diabetes and is on insulin for more than an year and also he is loosing his vision due to cataract. From the past one week his eyes has been swollen. when fist we saw we informed the veterinarian and he gave medicine and within a day he got recovered but now the same problem is aroused. I don't trust the doctors at all. They are minting money and too I am saying because his condition got worsened just because of doctors so I always check on internet.
