Irritated Eyes - A Little Bit Weepy

[Katdogs]

Stevie's eyes are sore. It could be because Jodie licks them a lot, or it could be Jodie licks them a lot because they're a bit weepy. She's rubbed them with her paw a couple of times that I've seen, but they didn't seem too bad, the 'weep' is clear and there isn't much of it, certainly no sign of infection as such. I thought it was just from being out in cold windy weather. However, I've noticed that the very edges of her eyelids are now looking a bit strange, sort-of dry, and it's been going on for a couple of weeks now (not the Jodie-licking, the extra bits).

Dear DOL bible, should I be looking at vet or home remedy? If home remedy, what?

[Erny]

Wait for other responses to confirm mine, but I can't imagine any reason why rinsing with a very mild salt solution would hurt. A rinse with some saline (which you can purchase from a chemist) would offer comfort and relief, but not as good as mild salt solution (in boiled water - cooled to tepid/room temp) if there is an infection.

If the condition continues beyond 48 hours following two or three times daily of rinse/wash, I'd be trotting off to see the Vet. Earlier, if the condition seems to worsen.

ETA: Are the whites of the eye white, or pink/red?

Is the inside of the lower lid healthy pink, or red?

Edited August 6, 2007 by Erny

[Golden Rules]

Three tried and trusted remedies for basic eye infections/irriations:

Saline (salt mixed with boiled water, cooled)

Stong cold black tea - wipe eyes with a cotton ball dunked in the tea.

Colloidal silver - excellent for many many uses, ears, eyes, general health. Available from health food stores and chemists.

[Katdogs]

Thanks, I'd use saline solution automatically on humans, but don't like just guessing with the dogs!

Whites of the eyes are white except when she's just woken up.

Haven't checked the inside of the eyelids.

Unless it gets a lot worse, I'll hang off going to the vet for a bit longer. We're going overseas and the dogs and cat are going into boarding at beginning of October, so I was going to take them in for a general checkup a couple of weeks before then anyway.