Dogs can suffer from allergies, much like their human counterparts do. Among the long list of annoying and sometimes painful allergy symptoms can be problems with the eyes. Allergy symptoms that affect a dog's eyes should be promptly addressed to prevent damage to the eye.
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Causes
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A wide variety of allergens can affect your dog and his eyes, including grasses, weeds, trees, flowers, and shrubs. Dust, mold, and even food, can also cause an allergic reaction affecting the eyes of your dog.
Symptoms
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Inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis) often manifests in dogs with allergies. Red, irritated eyes that weep or become swollen can be symptomatic of allergy-related conjunctivitis.
Treatments
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It is important to clear the irritants from your dog's eyes with a sterile saline solution as soon as you notice him exhibiting the signs of eye inflammation. PH balanced eye scrubs can also be used to painlessly remove discharge and irritants from your dog's eyes.
Complications
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The intense itching that an allergic response can cause may lead your dog to scratch at her eyes or repeatedly rub her face on the ground. This intense rubbing and/or scratching can allow foreign objects to get into the eye, which may cause damage and subsequent infection for your dog.
Management
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It is crucial to discover the source of your dog's allergies so that offending irritants can be avoided and/or treated. Veterinarians often prescribe allergy shots, antihistamines, steroids, or even a specialized diet to help control the allergic response in dogs. Damage to your dog's eyes can be challenging and expensive to treat, so it is important to treat allergies that may cause eye damage.
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