Are Your Dog's Eyes Watery? Possible Causes to Be Aware of

Whether your dog's watery eyes happen all the time or they have just recently become an issue, you may find yourself wondering what could possibly be going on to cause this eye problem. There are many potential causes of watery eyes in dogs. Get to know some of the health issues that can cause your dog's watery eyes, then you can get them to the vet or animal hospital as soon as possible to get your dog the treatment they need. 

Allergies

One of the most common causes of watery eyes in dogs is allergies. If your dog's watery eyes coincide with increased allergens in the air outside or are accompanied by sneezing, a runny nose, and general itchiness, they may be suffering from seasonal allergies. 

If this is the case, there are a few steps you can take with the help of your veterinarian. One option is to give your dog a daily allergy medication like Benadryl. Another option would be to have your dog get allergy shots to help reduce their body's response to allergens. This is more of a long-term solution while allergy medications are a short-term solution. 

Foreign Object

Another possible cause of watery eyes in your dog is if they possibly have a foreign object embedded in their eye. Something as small as a piece of hair or fur in the eye can get lodged against the surface of the eye and get stuck there. This can cause the eye to produce excess discharge.

If the discharge of your dog's eyes is somewhat thick and sticky, they could have something in their eye causing this mucus-like discharge to form. Look closely at your dog's eye or eyes. Try to see if there is anything detectable on the eye. If there is, you should wait to allow your veterinarian to remove it as they will have the tools to do so safely, but you will be able to let them know where the object is causing trouble. 

Glaucoma

You may not know that dogs can get some of the same eye disorders that people suffer from. One such issue is glaucoma. Glaucoma affects the optic nerve and occurs when there is excess pressure on the optic nerve. When this pressure occurs, the fluid does not drain properly from the eye. 

Because of this, the eyes can seem to water excessively as the fluid in the eyes has nowhere else to go. If glaucoma is the cause of your dog's watery eyes, it is important to get them treatment from a veterinarian as soon as possible. When glaucoma is not properly treated, it can cause permanent blindness. 

With these causes of watery eyes in mind, you can be sure you get your dog the best possible care for their eye problems. Contact a vet hospital like Animal Emergency Clinic for more information.