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Why are my dog's eyes itchy and bothering her? Does she need a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 1 year and 9 months old | 9 lbs

My dog has had weird eyes for a while. I think they itch/bother her, do you know what it is and If I need prescribed vet medicine from my local vet to take care of it? It really worries me. I don't want her to be uncomfortable or in pain

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Shaneez Wallani, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 17th, 2017

It is very important that Cutie be seen by a vet for proper diagnosis and treatment of her eyes. Over-the-counter medications are not recommended for use in treatment of eye disease without a vet’s recommendation, as some types of eye ointments and drops contain steroids that can severely damage the eye if it has a scratch/corneal ulcer. Her vet will need to evaluate her eye, and may recommend testing such as a Fluorescein stain to look for scratched/ulcers, tonometry to test the eye pressures and look for glaucoma, or a Schirmer tear test to evaluate tear production. In some cases a combination of causes can lead to an uncomfortable eye, and as you mentioned some eye conditions can be very painful. Sometimes if eyelashes/ hair are growing in a way that causes them to touch the eye it can lead to pain as well. Cutie looks to have quite large, bulging eyes, which predisposes her to conditions such as dry eye, and if you suspect she is in pain you are likely correct. Please book an appointment to have her seen by a vet, and good luck!

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on November 6th, 2016
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can give her at home for her eye problem. A dog's eye reacts differently to human eye medications than humans, and you could accidentally do harm. Baby girl needs to see a vet immediately. Eye conditions should be considered emergencies, as leaving them can lead to vision loss. Based on the cloudiness of her eye, she could have glaucoma, a serious eye infection, trauma to the eye, or cataracts. She does need to see a vet right away, so I would take her in now to a vet. The vet can determine what is causing her problem and how best to treat it. Try to keep her from scratching her eye with an Ecollar, as she may accidentally do damage to cornea from her claws.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian
Published on February 10th, 2019
Poor Baby! It looks quite bad. I would first start her on benadryl to help with any itching. I would also put a cone collar on her to prevent her from rubbing it on anything and pawing at it and making it worse. You could buy some OTC moisturing eye ointment like genteal and put that around the eye twice a day. If the skin isn't starting to improve with 24 hours after that I would have her seen by your vet. It is most likely that she needs some antibiotics ointment for the eye to help that skin heal. Also, your vet can make sure there is nothing wrong with the eye itself. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Ann Dion, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 2nd, 2017
Hello. A cloudy blue eye can be caused by an ulcer (scratch to the eye surface), or also due to glaucoma (high pressure in the eye), or a luxated lens (less likely in a German Shepherd). In order to protect the eye and not risk her losing vision, any blue eye should be seen right away as it may need antibiotics and medications to help the eye heal properly so that vision isn't impaired. I would take her to your vet. They will likely do an exam, and stain the eye looking for an ulcer, and also check the pressure in the eye if they are worried about glaucoma. Good luck with Lucy.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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