Why Does Your Springer Spaniel Have Red Eyes? 4 Causes

Our eyes are one of the most essential organs in our body, as they help us hunt, protect us from danger and gain information throughout the many millenniums of human existence. The same is true for your Springer Spaniel. Your dog’s eyes should not be red, and if they are, they should not be left untreated.

Your Springer Spaniel may have red eyes due to uveitis, conjunctivitis, a foreign body, or even dry eye. Red eyes can be indicative of a severe disease or something a lot less sinister. If your dog has red eyes, the best option is always to have them seen by their veterinarian.

In this article, we’ll discuss each possible cause for your Springer Spaniel’s red eyes, the symptoms to look out for, and what kind of treatments you can expect.

1. Uveitis

Uveitis is inflammation in the structures that make up the uvea in your dog’s eye. The most common type of uveitis, called anterior uveitis, is usually not dangerous and should go away on its own if their symptoms aren’t severe.

Trauma can cause uveitis, as well as the leaking of proteins from a damaged lens, resulting in cataracts. Cancers in the eye can also be a cause.

Both of these are severe causes and need medical care immediately.

Unfortunately, the cause for anterior uveitis is typically not known, and it can occur even if your dog is very healthy. If uveitis reoccurs, it could result from an underlying illness such as an infection, metabolic disease, or an autoimmune disorder.

Symptoms of Uveitis

If your Springer Spaniel has red eyes and shows any of these symptoms listed below, they may have uveitis.

A lot of tears coming out of the eyes
Pain
Shutting the eye
Staying away from light

How to Treat Uveitis

Whether your Springer Spaniel has severe or mild symptoms of uveitis, it is essential to take them to the veterinarian. They need to examine your dog and perform the necessary tests to diagnose uveitis.

Their diagnosis will help them prescribe the appropriate medication to relieve your dog’s pain and discomfort while reducing the inflammation.

If your Springer Spaniel has uveitis, you’ll be required to put prescribed drops into your dog’s eyes a few times a day. Once the veterinarian has ruled out any underlying conditions, they may prescribe tablets.

Although anterior uveitis can typically resolve on its own, you should take your Springer Spaniel to the veterinarian to get checked and treated. It is possible for untreated uveitis to cause complications, such as glaucoma, a retinal detachment, or other serious problems that lead to blindness.

2. Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an eye condition that your Springer Spaniel may be experiencing. It’s also a condition that either you or someone that you know has probably experienced.

Commonly known as “Pink Eye,” conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the eye’s conjunctiva, which can be caused by allergies or infection. The infection may either be bacterial or viral and can be contagious.

Remember to wash your hands after touching your Springer Spaniel if they have conjunctivitis.

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

It’s common for one eye to start showing symptoms before the other. The second eye usually starts getting irritated around 2 – 4 days after the first eye.

You’ll want to look for the following symptoms:

Red eyes
Swollen and puffy around the eyes
Very itchy eyes (pawing at their eyes)
Blinking a lot
Mucous coming from the eyes

How to Treat Conjunctivitis

According to Nikki Graham from the Nottingham Animal Hospital, eye problems in animals can get better quickly if they are treated correctly and in timely manner.

Conjunctivitis should go away with the correct medication for the eyes. However, it can reoccur frequently if your dog has allergic conjunctivitis.

Instead of trying out the home remedies you found on the internet, have your Springer Spaniel examined by a veterinarian. They’ll most likely prescribe an antibiotic or antihistamine eye drops to resolve conjunctivitis.

3. Foreign Body

Having a foreign body in your eye is one of the most frustrating experiences, and this is no different for your Springer Spaniel. Although their third eyelid usually prevents foreign bodies from getting to the eye, it is still possible.

Foreign bodies irritating the eye may be caused by an eyelash, a speck of dust or debris, or even a shard of rust. Foreign bodies can damage the cornea and need to be removed by a veterinarian quickly.

Although removing the foreign body from your dog’s eye yourself is suggested on the internet, I don’t recommend it as it can lead to more damage than good.

Symptoms of Foreign Bodies

Here are the symptoms of foreign bodies that might be stuck in your dog’s eye. If you see this, you may want to either look for yourself or take it to the vet.

Redness
Extreme tearing
Pain
Lack of appetite
Pawing at the eye
Swelling
A visible foreign body

How to Treat Foreign Bodies

Your Springer Spaniel may need to be put to sleep under an anesthetic to remove the foreign body safely. Otherwise, the veterinarian may numb the eye with drops before removing the foreign body by flushing the eye out with sterile water or with forceps.

Your dog will typically be prescribed antibiotics, and pain-relieving eye drops.

4. Dry Eye

A dry eye may not sound like a big deal, but trust me, it can affect your dog’s life terribly. This condition occurs when the eyes don’t make enough tears to lubricate the eye, which causes dryness and pain.

Dry eye is caused by aging, an unbalanced tear film, eyelids not closing all the way, or diseases that prevent your dog from making tears.

Symptoms of Dry Eyes

Your Springer Spaniel might be experiencing dry eyes if they show the following symptoms:

Redness
Pain
Sticky eyes
Crusty eyes that are difficult to open
Excessive blinking
Pawing at their eyes

How to Treat Dry Eye

You nor your veterinarian can cure your dog’s dry eye. However, it can be managed through prescribed drops, artificial tear drops, antibiotic eye drops, eye wipes, and if nothing brings relief, possibly surgery.

To keep your dog’s eyes comfortable, never stop using the eye drops prescribed by your veterinarian and keep your dog out of the wind and away from heaters, fans, or air conditioners.

Conclusion

Several conditions may go away on their own, but your Springer Spaniel may have a severe case that may lead to complications, or they may have underlying conditions that need to be treated.

If your dog is in discomfort or pain, take them to the veterinarian. Most eye conditions can be treated and resolved if caught early.

Not all red eyes can be cured, but they can be managed. It is important to regularly place the eye drops into your dog’s eyes throughout the day, and it will be a lifelong requirement to keep them comfortable and healthy.