I'm a newbie to keeping a dog although I've had her for 15 months now with no trouble.

She has a light green creamy substance seeping from one of her eyes. I though it was eye bogies at first but I've been cleaning it and it comes back about 30 mins later. I think it must be an infection.

Do I have to take her to the vet or is there something I can get, or do, to clear it up?

Thanks.

sounds infected - off to the vet with you!

Definitely go to the vets for your own peace of mind and your dogs health

Probably.

Is the eye red and/or causing discomfort for the dog?

Is the dog otherwise well? Eating, toileting, playing - normal behaviour?

If no other symtoms, behaving normally and not in discomfort, if it was my dog I, personally and not being in anyway qualified, would try washing with salt water or cold tea first.

Either brew a strong cup of tea (no milk!!) and allow to cool, or dissolve a good tea spoon of salt in a cup of boiled water and allow to cool. Using cotton wool, really soak the cotton wall and wash the eye. Do this three/four times a day.

If it doesn't clear up in a day or so, or if there are any other symptoms then take her to the vet as she may need anti-biotic drops and an eye exam t make sure there is no abrasion.

I repeat - this is only what I would do if it was my dog. I am not a vet.

Yes I would imagine it needs looking at by a professional and needs treatment in a form of some kind of Ointment or possibly more if needed. Book an appointment now, left longer could get serious.

I would suggest getting an appointment before Easter because if it gets worse 4 days while they are closed feels like a very long time.

Thanks all for the info.

I tried washing it with salt water earlier and it seems to be a little cleaner. No red eye or discomfort for her. She's not even trying to keep it clean herself. She's happy for me to touch it to clean it.

I'll keep an eye on it until tomorrow and, as it's Easter, I'll take her to the vet if it hasn't inmproved.

Thanks again.

Been to the vet this morning and it's conjunctivitis so I have eye drops for her. Should clear up in 5 days or so.

Thanks all for your advice.

Our dog has this! £30 on eyedrops and banned from puppy class for the week so she doesn't spread gunkyeyeitis. Poor pups.

stop putting salt into the eye ! it is going to create more problems than doing any good !
if it was a cut on a paw yes salt water is a good thing but putting into the eye will make it worse !
take dog to vet and he will give eyedrops to clear it up ! you are going to make it more inflamed by putting salt into it.
why do ppl with no experiance in veterinary matters give such stupid advice.
oh just answered my own question lol.

Salt is a great healer, anyone will tell you that.

OP glad to hear your dog has been to the vets and had eye drops to sort the problem out

yes salt is a great healer but not for putting in your eyes ! go put some in your eyes and see how much you like it !
i do know what i am talking about i work in a vets ! as a assistant so i do have some knoledge !

It certainly is.


I would have thought that saline solution would have been widely used in vetinary practice, just as it is in hospitals. It helps promote healing and has excellent antibacterial properties.

I have bathed patients eyes many a time with saline solution and never once had a complaint.

When my children were babies many years ago I was told by the health visitor to use a saline solution when they had weepy eyes, wipe once from the innner to outer - it worked!

It certainly is good stuff. The only thing that I would say is the normal saline solution used in hospitals is 0.9% so if anyone is thinking of making up some saline solution (in otherwords plain salt water) is just use a wee pinch of salt, not tablespoons worth.

Salt water - not neat salt!!

Various of my vets over the years have suggested it - and the cold tea - for eyes and other minor injuries. It is something I have used on myself and children as well as the pets.

So far, so good. No one has been hurt or gone blind.

Ah but it won't make the vets any richer will it if we all start using our common sense

Glad to hear the vet could help tk99uk