Dog Eye Infection or Something Else?

by Amber
(Cerritos, CA, United States)

The area around my dog’s left eye started getting crusty a couple of days ago. After I cleaned it, I could see some swelling and that his eye was red. A few days later, it looked like new crust had appeared with some scarring. He holds his eye shut, sometimes squinted. Is this an infection or something worse?

Editor Suggestion For Possible Causes of Swelling and Scarring Around the Eye

Hi Amber,

When you see symptoms like redness, swelling, crustiness, around your dog's eye, it's important to have them seen by a vet as soon as possible. The vet can perform a thorough examination and potentially some diagnostic tests to determine what's causing these symptoms, and can then recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

I'm also assuming that you aren't seeing other symptoms such as immediate pain or discomfort, other symptoms not related to the eyes such as difficulty breathing, vomiting or overall weakness.

Possible causes include:

Trauma: A wound or injury to the skin around the eye could cause redness initially and scarring as it heals.

Infection: Bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections can cause skin inflammation and potentially scarring. Common parasites that affect the eye area include mites (leading to conditions like demodectic or sarcoptic mange) or fleas.

Allergies: Some dogs may react to certain substances (like certain foods, environmental allergens, or specific materials) with skin inflammation, which may appear as redness or even lead to scarring if the area is repeatedly rubbed or scratched.

Dermatitis: This refers to inflammation of the skin, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including irritation from a foreign substance or an allergic reaction. Dermatitis can lead to redness, itching, and potentially scarring if it's chronic or severe.

Autoimmune disorders: Certain autoimmune conditions, like lupus or pemphigus, can cause skin problems, including redness, sores, and scarring.

Blepharitis: This condition is an inflammation of the eyelids and can cause redness, swelling, and crustiness around the eyes.

Chronic eye conditions: Chronic or recurrent eye conditions that lead to rubbing or scratching at the eye can cause irritation and potential scarring to the surrounding skin.

Given the range of possible causes, it's important to get your dog evaluated by your vet. The vet can help identify the underlying cause and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. It's crucial do do this as soon as possible, as many of these conditions can worsen over time if left untreated.

Please keep us updated on your dog's condition.

Jeff
Editor and Publisher
Dog Health Guide