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What should I do if my dog's eye is red? Can I treat it at home?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Male | neutered | 4 years and 2 months old | 16 lbs

What can I put on my dogs eye if it is red?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 13th, 2019

Nothing over the counter, I'm afraid. The only safe medications for a dog's eye is from the vet. Any eye problem needs to be checked out by a vet promptly, as leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. I would take The Coach into the vet in the morning. Best of luck.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Ana M, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on February 15th, 2020
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Zangeer. If he has lost his sight in just a matter of hours, this is worrisome. He needs to see a veterinarian right away. He could have a corneal ulcer or scratch across the surface of his eyes, there could be bleeding within the eye, glaucoma or a bad infection. All of these issues would require treatment. I hope this information helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on June 27th, 2019
It could be Aura has injured his eye or has an eye infection. Any eye problem is considered an emergency because leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. Please take him into a vet now to have this treated. Best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My dog's one eye is red and bloodshot, worse at night. What can I do?

Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach to address your concern. It is difficult to say for sure what the problem could be based on the pictures. From your description and the pictures, this may be an eye infection, trauma to the eye or allergies. Terramycin ophthalmic ointment is one antibiotic ointment that we do use to treat eye infections. I would say that this is safe to use but if the eye is worsening or is no better during or after the course of treatment, I would recommend having Pat examined by a veterinarian. An eye stain test and tear test should be considered. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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My dog's eye is red and looks scratched. How can I treat it safely?

Eyes are very delicate organs. If there is an injury it is always best to have your vet check it. Eye injuries can go from bad to worse quickly and then you risk losing vision and/or the eye itself. I have not seen the eye so it's hard to give advice. It is up to you though what you want to do. If you want to try something at home you can try this eye gel. If no improvement after a couple days of treatment then he needs to see the vet. I would use it 3-4 times per day. ( https://www.amazon.com/Vetericyn-Animal-Ophthalmic-Limited-Version/dp/B07V344K6M/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=B07V344K6M&qid=1564494168&s=gateway&sr=8-1 )

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a red eye. Is it an infection and what should I do?

This could be an eye infection or Joey may have injured his eye. Any eye problem should be seen by a vet promptly as leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. I'd take him into the vet in the morning. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog can't open his eyes. What over-the-counter eye drops help?

No, I would not use this on Snowy, it's not safe. This is for itchy eyes due to allergies, and it could be that he has an eye infection, which makes it a completely inappropriate medication. You should never try to self treat eye problems, as you could accidentally do serious damage to the eye. I would take him into the vet today. The vet can diagnose what is causing his problem with his eyes, and can treat him. It's important to have any eye problem checked out and treated promptly, as leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. Best of luck, I hope this helps.

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My dog has red eyes for two days, but no pain. Should I see a vet?

You need to take Eva into the vet first thing in the morning. It’s not normal her eyes are red, and any eye problem needs to be checked out immediately. Leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. Best of luck.

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My dog's eye is red and watery. What should I do to help my dog?

I am sorry to hear this! His eye does look very irritated- and the area around his eye that has a 'cobblestone' appearance suggests that he has some chronic irritation. I would want to rule out a few things that cause these signs including stray eyelashes that are 'ingrown', eyelid abnormalities, allergies and mites. The good news is that most of these things can be treated successfully! I would bring him in and have a few eye tests done and have them closely examined with magnification (sometimes an ophthalmologist is recommended) and see what kind of treatment plan is needed. Until you can bring him in, over the counter lubricating eye drops may bring some short term relief. I hope this helps!

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Why is my dog's eye red, draining clear fluid, and bothering her?

Unfortunately this cannot be treated at home. Any eye problem has to be checked out by a vet promptly as leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. Plus Loren has been rubbing at it, which means it's bothering her, and she could have scratched her cornea doing this. Her eye needs to be examined to make sure nothing has been damaged. Please take her into a vet in the morning.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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