Why Is Your Dog’s Eyeball Swollen, and What Should You Do About It?

Eye swelling in dogs can have many causes. Allergies, bacterial infections, and injury are some of the more common reasons. But serious eye disease can also cause your dog’s eye to get puffy and can affect their vision. That’s why it’s important for your dog to see a veterinarian at the first sign of a swollen eyeball.

Here are some common causes of swollen eyes in dogs and what you can do to protect your furry friend’s vision.

What should you do if your dog’s eye is swollen?

If your dog’s eye is swollen, visit a veterinarian to determine the cause. Since puffiness or bulging can affect your dog’s vision, you’ll want to address any issues as soon as you notice them.

What causes a dog’s eyeball to swell?

There are several reasons your dog’s eye may swell. Common causes are injuries, allergies, and infections. Some of the most common conditions that cause canine eye swelling are:

Blepharitis

Blepharitis, which means inflammation of the eyelid, is a condition that causes pain, itchiness, redness, and inflammation of a dog’s eyelid. The condition can be caused by allergies, trauma, infection, or inherited eyelid abnormalities.

Conjunctivitis

Canine conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the membrane that covers the white part of the eyeball and lines the inner eyelid. Dogs have a third eyelid located in the inner corner of the eye. If your dog has conjunctivitis, this area may also appear red and swollen.

Conjunctivitis can be caused by:

• Allergies

• Irritants

• Eye disease

• Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection

Chronic superficial keratitis

Chronic superficial keratitis, or pannus, involves darkening and increased blood vessel development on the eye’s surface.

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Dry eye syndrome

Dry eye syndrome, known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), is another common cause of dog eye swelling. A lack of tear production causes dry, painful, and swollen eyes in dogs.

KCS is one of the most frequent causes of corneal disease in dogs. A vet can diagnose it by performing a Schirmer tear test, which uses a small strip of paper to test the amount of tear production in your dog’s eyes.

Corneal ulcers

Some infections can cause eye ulcers on rare occasions, but a corneal ulcer is typically the result of an eye injury. The injury can cause fluid to build up, giving the eye a cloudy appearance.

Corneal ulcers are often caused by trauma to the eye, for example:

• A foreign object getting stuck in the eye (such as a splinter, sand, or grass)

• Repeatedly rubbing the eye

• A branch scratching the eye

Genetic eye disorders

Corneal disorders in which the cornea in both eyes deteriorates are often inherited conditions. These are more common in certain dog breeds like terriers because of the genetic component.

Uveitis

Uveitis causes inflammation in the middle section of your dog’s eye. It can result from eye infections commonly caused by bacteria, corneal disease, or eye trauma.

What can you give your dog to help treat a swollen eye?

Avoid treating your dog’s swollen eye at home with human or previously prescribed medication. Instead, consult a veterinarian within 24 hours to diagnose the underlying cause of your dog’s swollen eye. The vet will perform an eye exam and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Depending on the cause, a vet may prescribe:

• Topical steroids

• Topical and oral antibiotics

• Pain-relieving eye drops, such as atropine

• Anti-inflammatory medication

• Antihistamines

What dog breeds are most prone to swollen eyes?

Certain dog breeds are prone to eye disorders that cause swelling, including:

• Siberian husky

• Bichon frise

• American cocker spaniel

• Collie

• Shetland sheepdog

• Cavalier King Charles spaniel

• Brachycephalic or flat-faced dog breeds (pugs, boxers)

• German shepherd

• Belgian shepherd

• Border collie

When should you see a vet if your dog’s eyeball is swollen?

See a vet immediately if your dog’s eyeball is swollen because eye issues can result in vision loss, pain, and permanent eye damage.

When is a dog’s swollen eye an emergency?

A veterinarian should always examine a swollen eye, but consider it an emergency if you notice any of the following:

• An injury that results in the eye bulging out of its socket

• Sudden cloudiness of eye

• Swollen eye becomes painful to touch

• Bleeding in the eye

• Discharge coming from the eye

• Your dog is unable to close their eyelid

• A foreign object in the dog’s eye

• An object has penetrated your dog’s lens

• The eye is ruptured or appears to have a hole in it

• A corneal ulcer

• Significant swelling of the eye within the socket

• Sudden loss of vision

Take your dog to an emergency vet or veterinary ophthalmologist, since sedation or surgery might be required to save your dog’s vision.

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Written by:

Lauren Lee, BA, MA

Lauren Lee, BA, MA, is a writer specializing in animal care and pet health content. Since she was a young child, her passions have been writing and anything to do with animals.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

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