Why Does My Puppy Have a Swollen Eye That Is Red & White?

Few dog lovers can resist the soulful, wide-eyed stare of a puppy. Unfortunately, not every puppy has healthy eyes. Early detection and treatment of eye disorders can ensure plenty of soulful gazes in the future, long after your puppy becomes a fully grown dog. Not all eye disorders are readily visible, but when the eye and surrounding areas are swollen and white with red discolorations, it's time to seek help.

  1. Injury

    • Physical trauma to the eye or the surrounding areas can cause swelling, redness and opacity in a white color. Blunt force trauma stemming from accidental injury or intentional abuse causes blood vessels in and around the eye to burst, leading to inflammation. When the delicate structures of the eye are injured, the eye becomes cloudy or white in color. Redness comes from irritation due to the presence of pressure or foreign bodies or may be the result of broken blood vessels.

    Illness

    • A puppy with a swollen, red and white eye may be ill. Ocular illnesses relating to the formation and structure of the eye that present with inflammation and red and white discoloration include cataracts, glaucoma, pannus, corneal dystrophy, retinal dysplasia and collie eye anomaly. Some forms of cancer can also cause an opacity and redness to occur on the eye, with or without inflammation. A condition called nictitans gland prolapse, or cherry eye, occurs when a dog's third eyelid slips out of place. Entropion occurs when the dog's eyelid flips inward, and ectropion occurs when the eyelid flips out. Cherry eye, entropion and ectropion can all cause severe inflammation, cloudiness and redness or irritation. While certain canine eye disorders like collie eye anomaly or cherry eye have a strong genetic component, there are documented cases in most breeds.

    Infection

    • Viral, bacterial and fungal infections can cause a puppy to have a swollen, red and white eye. Canine herpes virus is one example of an infectious virus that can affect a dog's eyes. Blastomycosis is a fungal infection that is caught when a dog comes in contact with contaminated wood or soil. Bacterial infections can also cause inflammation and discoloration. Keratoconjunctivitis, or dry eye, routinely occurs secondary to an infection. Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is also a secondary illness routinely caused by infection. Uveitis, which is a swelling of the layer of tissue that supplies blood to the retina, is also known to occur as the result of infection. Conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis and uveitis can also occur as the result of injury or trauma.

    Warning

    • If your dog exhibits a swollen eye with white and red discolorations, seek emergency veterinary medical treatment. The risk of permanent eye problems up to and including blindness are reduced when help is sought sooner rather than later. A veterinarian is able to accurately diagnose and effectively treat eye disorders.