6 Causes Of Red Eyes In Your Golden Retriever

Among the most popular breeds to bring into our home is the Golden Retriever. You can notice that they sometimes have red eyes.

Can a Golden Retriever have red eyes?

Golden Retrievers, just like humans, can get red eyes. There are very many possible causes of redness of the eyes in Goldens. Some causes of red eyes in Golden are Glaucoma, allergies, dry eyes, and the presence of a foreign object.

We curated this article using information from dog encyclopedias, advice from popular vets, and our personal experience as dog parents. Read on to learn how to manage red eyes on your golden retriever.

Can Golden Retrievers Get Red Eyes?

Yes. Golden Retrievers, just like humans, can get red eyes. There are very many possible causes of redness of the eyes in Goldens.

Causes of Red Eyes In Golden Retrievers

Dog vision is remarkably comparable to human vision. Normally, when a Golden’s eyes are normal and healthy, they interpret light into images. However, if those eyes get inflamed and red, they cannot function properly and are quite painful.

If you find that your dog’s eyes are red, it’s important to understand the cause of the redness and how to address your dog’s eyes.

Allergies

Allergies are among the typical causes of red eyes in your pawed buddy. Your dog may experience itchiness and irritated eyes, similar to how allergies can make us feel uneasy. Their eyes may appear puffy and red if your canine is allergic to certain environmental allergens or dog food.

Pet allergies are primarily brought on by exposure to the skin flakes that pets shed. Some other frequent causes of canine allergies include pollen, smells, foods, fleas, dust mites, household cleaners, feathers, and smoke.

 The best course of action for treating red eyes brought on by allergies in dogs is to take them to the veterinarian for allergy testing. This way, you’ll find exactly what your dog is allergic to.

After that, you can remove the troublesome items from your home and, if necessary, change your dog’s diet, or your vet might advise giving your Golden medication.

Foreign Object

If your dog has an eye injury or you notice that their eyes have turned red, a foreign item might be in there. A stick poking your dog in the eye could be the culprit, or something smaller like a sand grain.

Foreign items are frequently seen on the cornea, the top part of the eye, the tissues lining the eye socket, or the eyelid.

In addition to being exceedingly irritating, these can affect the cornea directly, resulting in a corneal ulcer, or indirectly, since animals may damage the cornea while pawing at or scratching the eye to remove the item.

See if you can spot the contraband by looking into your dog’s eye. Don’t attempt to remove anything that may be in your dog’s eye if it looks a bit troublesome to get out. Take your dog to the vet right away.

If it is something small, you can use saline solution or a dog eye wash to clean your dog’s eye. To stop your dog from biting and scratching at their eyes might need to put a collar on it. It is imperative to have your dog’s eyes evaluated by a veterinarian to make sure everything is in order.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is the medical term for inflammation of the conjunctiva tissue. Pups have a third eyelid at the inner corner of their eyes called the nictitating membrane, which is also covered in the conjunctiva. 

A healthy dog’s eyelid conjunctiva is not easily noticeable and has a light pink tint. Conjunctivitis causes the conjunctival membranes to get red and bulge.

Hazy, yellowish, or greenish eye discharge, frequent blinking or squinting, and redness or swelling around the eyes are the most typical clinical symptoms of conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis can infrequently affect one eye, even though it commonly affects both. 

Conjunctivitis may sometimes accompany other clinical symptoms such as nasal discharge, sneezing, or coughing.

If your dog has pink eyes, take them to the vet. The veterinarian can identify the precise root cause of the issue. In the course of treatment, which is targeted at the particular reason, oral and topical medications are possible. 

Alternatively, you may need to get your pup specific anti-inflammatory medications or an antibiotic ointment if a bacterial infection is present.

If the situation is dire, your Goldie may need surgery. If a clogged tear duct is the cause of the issue, your veterinarian will be required to clear the blockage.

The prognosis for dogs with conjunctivitis is excellent in most situations. The prognosis for severe, persistent, or recurrent conjunctivitis can vary depending on the diagnosis.

Dry Eye

A dry eye happens when the eyes produce insufficient tear film. The cornea becomes dry and irritated without tears, which keeps it moist and free of foreign objects or infectious agents. The inflammation is very uncomfortable and makes the eyes appear red. 

The most common cause of dry eyes is immune-mediated adenitis which destroys the tissue that produces the watery component of the tear film.

 You can use a variety of eyewashes to help keep your dog’s eyes hydrated and clear. The best solutions for your Golden Retriever in this situation can be discussed with your vet, who can assess whether a dosage or just plenty of water would be warranted.

Glaucoma

An accumulation of fluid and dangerously high eye pressure results from an imbalance between the generation and drainage of fluid from the eye, causing glaucoma. The extra pressure could wreak havoc on the optic discs and retina.

There are two types of glaucoma:

• Open-angle glaucoma is the chronic loss of vision or the gradual, painless spread of blind patches.
• Closed-angle glaucoma is a dramatic rise in eye pressure accompanied by blindness, intense pain, and redness.

Your dog must be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible if it displays any glaucoma. Glaucoma can be evaluated and treated by a veterinarian using a variety of methods. Depending on the type of glaucoma present, either medication, surgery, or—most frequently—a mix of both will be employed.

Uveitis

Uveitis is an eye tissue inflammation that causes your dog pain and redness. This condition could result in blindness if it is not treated quickly.

Your veterinarian will advise a set of antibiotics, eye drops, and ointments. In exceptionally rare situations, your Golden may require eye extraction.

Within twenty-four hours, most uveitis patients respond favorably to treatment, albeit the final result will depend on the core reason. If the eye is cloudy or if there has been ocular bleeding, it can take a few more days for this to go away.

Complications are more common with particularly severe or recurring cases of uveitis.

How to Keep Your Dog’s Eyes Healthy

Dogs will always be dogs, and there is very little you can do to help them from hurting their eyes or developing any complications. Yet, there is still a small chance of protecting them that can make a tremendous difference.

Take Them In For Routine Checkups At The Veterinarian

Preventive medical care can considerably enhance your dog’s overall and eye health. Annual eye exams will enable you to keep track of your dog’s eye health as they mature.

As with other canine health issues, the most crucial factor in dog eye care is to pay attention to your dog. You can learn much about them by monitoring their appearance and behavior changes.

Don’t forget to check into your Goldie’s eyes critically. Making eye contact with your closest buddy is a great way to deepen your bond while also helping you discover any underlying issues.

Reduce The Hair Around Their Eyes

For long-haired breeds, keep the hair around their eyes tidy and cut. These long hairs trap dust, dander, and other unwanted objects which could easily fall into the Golden Retriever’s eyes, making them red.

Remove Any Eye Smudges As Necessary

Use a wet, soft cloth to delicately clean the pup’s eye, being mindful to avoid touching the eyeball. These smudges may fall into the Golden Retriever’s eyes if not removed.

Keep A Watch Out For Eye Rubbing Or Scratching

While infrequent rubbing and eye scratching is normal for pups, if they start doing it a bit more often, it is a sign of a problem. Once you notice any excessive scratching, call your vet immediately.

Protect Their Eyes From Harm

Despite how beautiful it may look, dogs who dangle their heads out the window of a car frequently suffer eye damage. If you have to, purchase a pair of doggles or, better yet, roll up the windows before your upcoming road trip to prevent them from sticking their heads out.

Key Takeaways

• Preventive medical care can greatly improve your dog’s general and visual health. You can monitor your dog’s eye health with annual eye checkups.
• If anything appears difficult to get out of your dog’s eye, don’t try to remove it. Immediately take your dog to the vet.
• Red eyes are definitely signs of a major or minor problem in your Goldie. Once you notice anything, call your vet.