Is Epsom Salt Good for a Dog's Swollen Eyes?

Epsom salt is a mild salt that can be used to treat various ailments with humans. However, though your canine companion may be a vital part of your family, he's no human. It's never a good idea to use human medication or treatments on your pet unless directed by your veterinarian. Swollen eyes can be the indicator of a variety of problems with your dog. It's best to visit your veterinarian so that she can properly diagnose the symptoms.

  1. Allergies

    • Dogs can develop allergies just as humans can. Dogs may develop allergies to food, carpet in your home or even items found outside, such as certain plants. Allergic reactions may also stem from animal or insect bites. Inspect your dog's eyes or other areas of its body for bite marks. This could be causing an allergic reaction in your dog. Never try to treat an allergic reaction on your own. It's best to call your vet as soon as possible.

    Eyelid Diseases

    • There are a variety of eyelid diseases that your canine can develop. Many of these are hereditary and there is little that you can do to prevent them. However, some dogs require more eye care than others. Dogs with lots of long fur around their eyes will benefit from a trim as this will help prevent hair and other particles from irritating the eye. Ask your vet if your particular breed of dog requires extra eye care. Dogs with excess skin around the eyes may benefit from drops or other special cleaners to help prevent the buildup of bacteria.

    Pink Eye

    • Dogs, like humans, can develop pink eye. Pink eye is the result of a bacteria that the dog picks up from another animal or insect. Sometimes pink eye can be directly related with other illnesses in canines, so it's best to get your dog to the vet as soon as you possibly can in order to prevent sometimes fatal illness. Keep your dog up to date on all vaccinations, and use flea and tick preventative to ward off potential illnesses that come from these insects.

    Home Remedies

    • It's possible that your vet may give you a list of home remedies that will cure your dog's swollen eye issues. If the remedy is vet recommended, you should try it. However, never take the medical advice from someone other than a professional. Even if a home remedy works for one dog, there is no guarantee that it will work for yours.