Dog's eyes may swell for many reasons, and dog owners should see a vet before trying to treat them at home as the treatment depends on the problem, according to Dr. Alison Clode, assistant professor of veterinary ophthalmology at North Carolina State University. Your veterinarian can prescribe eye drops, ointments or oral medication to treat the causes of swollen eyes at home.
Things You'll Need
- Cotton balls
- Warm water
- Eye drops
- Ointment
- Oral medication
- Elizabethan collar (if recommended by a veterinarian)
Instructions
Instructions
Soak cotton balls in warm water if your dog's eyes are swollen and crusted shut, Clode suggests. Gently wipe his eyes until they are able to fully open and blink.
Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian or an emergency clinic if your dog's eye continue to swell, as it can be a sign of a serious underlying problem.
Use an eye-drop solution as prescribed by your vet. Wash your hands before touching medication or your dog's eye. Stand beside or straddle your dog. Tilt the dog's nose up with one hand. Put the other hand on his forehead and squeeze a small amount onto the eye. You do not need to put a lot in the eye.
Use an ointment as prescribed by your veterinarian. Some dogs will do better with drops, while others will prefer ointments. Do not put the ointment on your finger. Instead, pull the dog's lower eyelid down and put a small amount of the ointment on the lower eyelid from the tip of the tube. The eyelid will snap back and deposit the ointment directly on the surface of the eye.
Give your dog oral medications as prescribed by your veterinarian. Tell the veterinarian what other medications your dog is taking to make sure there are no complications, especially if you are going to an emergency clinic. Follow the veterinarian's directions, and make sure to use all of a medication, even if symptoms disappear after a few doses.
Offer your dog treats or other forms of positive reinforcement to prevent her from fighting the medication as time goes on.