Your dog didn't get those red, watery eyes from staying up all night. More likely, she's suffering from conjunctivitis. The conjunctiva is the lining of the eyelids and the tissue surrounding the edge of the eye. Inflammation of these tissues is called conjunctivitis—a common disease in both dogs.
Risk factors and detection
Causes of conjunctivitis include bacterial infections; viral infections; allergies; environmental irritants, such as dust or chemicals; foreign bodies; abnormal eyelashes that rub the eye; and other eye diseases, including glaucoma, corneal ulcers, dry eye, and uveitis.
With conjunctivitis, the normally white or pink conjunctiva appears pink or red and may be swollen. Symptoms may appear in one or both eyes. In response to irritation, the eye will produce excess tears, and the discharge may be watery or mucus-like, appearing yellow or green. Your dog may rub her eye, squint, or keep the eye closed.
A watery discharge usually indicates an allergy or environmental irritant.
Thicker discharge often indicates an infection. A dog with infected conjunctiva should see a veterinarian immediately. Squinting, holding the eye shut, or other signs of pain indicate a more serious problem and require immediate medical attention.
Neonatal conjunctivitis affects puppies less than 14 days old who still have their eyelids closed. The eyes bulge and may produce a thick discharge. More than one dog in a litter can be affected. A veterinarian should treat these puppies immediately to avoid corneal damage and blindness.
Treatment
Treatment of conjunctivitis varies greatly, depending on the cause. In most
cases, your dog needs a topical antibiotic, antiviral drug, or corticosteroid. Your veterinarian will remove such irritants as foreign bodies or abnormal lashes. When conjunctivitis accompanies other conditions, such as dry eye or glaucoma, your veterinarian will also treat the primary condition to prevent recurrence of those red, watery eyes.
