Blood in the Eye in Dogs

If your dog is suffering from blood in the eye in dogs, this can be the result of many different factors. A dog with this condition will have the “whites” of his eyes be dark pink in color or very red in color. Sometimes, blood will actually mix in with the clear fluid on the eye’s surface and can be uncomfortable and painful.

Blood can cover the surface of the eye, which has a very large amount of blood capillaries and pressure. With blood in the front eye in dogs, the pressure can become so great that the blood can fill over the exterior of the outer eye. If this occurs, an immediate veterinarian visit is crucial, as this could be an emergency situation. When taking the dog to the veterinarian, reflect on what he has done that day to cause an irritation in the eye, such as digging in the trash or other possibilities of foreign object penetration. This may not be the case, but it could very well be, and it is imperative to tell the veterinarian of any possible causes at home.

Blood in the front eye in dogs is a noticeable blood-filled eye or eyes that can be caused by several conditions. This condition should be diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible for the best rate of recovery.

Blood in the eye in dogs can be somewhat mild to very serious. Depending on the cause of this disorder for your dog, the signs will vary. Signs include:

• Pain in the eye
• Pinkish tint to bright redness
• Itchy eye
• Watery eye
• Discharge (fluid) draining from the eye
• Swelling
• Lethargy

Types

Blood in the eye in dogs has several different types. The different conditions are all unique in the way the dog feels when he has it and also are treated differently. Other eye conditions can occur in dogs; however, there are certain ones that are associated with blood in the eye in dogs. Types of this disorder are as follows:

• Blepharitis
• “Cherry Eye”
• Conjunctivitis
• Foreign body
• Glaucoma
• Hyphema

There are several unique causes of blood in the eye in dogs. There are, in fact, so many different causes that many professionals put in broad categories. This does indeed help medical professionals come to a conclusion about the cause of the blood in the eye. Causes include:

• Dog eye diseases
• Trauma
• Infections or irritations
• A high amount of pressure
• Various conditions of ophthalmic origin
• Tumor behind the eye

When a dog visits the veterinarian with an eye which is blood-filled, he will treat it as an emergency. Once he begins rapid treatment for affected eye, he will begin to diagnose the underlying condition. The veterinarian will most definitely perform an ophthalmic exam to thoroughly check the eyes. This will check for dilation issues and any interior eye problems, and if the blood is developing within the eye or only on the surface. The veterinarian will also listen to the dog’s complete history and any situations which could have caused the red eye or eyes. The veterinarian will ask detailed questions, such as if the dog could have had any poisons or if he is on any medication. 

After these preliminary tests have been completed, the veterinarian may want more information. He may do a complete biochemistry profile, blood work, platelet count, blood clotting evaluation, urine testing, and any imaging methods.

Treatment for blood in the eye in dogs depends on the underlying condition, if there is a disease or illness that is causing it. Other treatments include:

Eye Drops

Eye drops can be given, either antibiotic or over-the-counter, by the veterinarian. With your dog’s red eye, this may be all he needs, especially if the cause of the red eye was from an irritant, allergy, or scratch.

Medications

If there is an infection present, the veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics or other types of prescription or over the counter medication. He may even prescribe a type of eyewash to keep the eye clean. Anti-inflammatory drugs will be avoided since these medications affect the clotting of the blood.

Removal of Foreign Object

Your dog may have to have the foreign object removed from his eye and the veterinarian will either treat this during the office or possibly as an outpatient surgery. This depends on the severity of the penetration of the object.

When home, your dog should be kept calm and quiet and either restricted to a crate or a room where you are able to watch him. Do not allow him to paw at his eyes, and keep a watchful “eye” on him when outdoors. Encourage your dog to rest and limit exercise so keep the blood flow to a normal level.  He may need to wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent him from traumatizing the eye.  

Be sure to give the dog any medication he is prescribed and continue regular visits with the veterinarian to ensure he is healing properly. Some veterinarians may recommend natural remedies for the eye which can help soothe the dog’s eye in conjunction with his prescribed medication. After a few weeks, your dog will be back to normal again. With support from the veterinarian and the monitoring of his progress, his prognosis should be good, unless his blood in the eye is directly correlated to a cancerous tumor or other very serious condition. Your veterinarian will be able to give you an accurate prognosis.