Sore, red eyes - anyone had this?

[SuddenlyOld]

Our 15mo spaniel has had sore red eyes since his walk in the woods on Friday. Not sure if that's the cause - maybe he stuck his head in something that has caused an allergic reaction?

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what was the cause?

They are obviously sore so we've given him calpol (as per vet instructions after he'd cut his paw) and I'll call the vet tomorrow.

Anything to worry about or just an allergic reaction do you think?

My first thought is conjunctivitis - maybe brought on by whatever he did on the walk.

The vet will need to dye the eyeball to check there is no damage, then give antibiotic drops.

Thanks sir sniffs

I was thinking maybe he sniffed something that caused a reaction. His eyes are weeping a bit too, clear tears though not discharge. Do you know if human antihistamines are suitable? Or just wait to see what vet says? I think if it was just one eye I'd consider a scratch or something (typical spaniel runs through bushes) but as it's both eyes I'm thinking allergy

Also wondering if I could bathe them in cool boiled water

Dogs can have human antihistamines in which the active ingredient is loratadine (Clarityn brand and off-brand) between 0.5-1mg/kg

Our vet (and my mother) recommended cold tea for bathing eyes. My spaniel seems to be allergic to deer dust ( from droppings or the spores on it, or hair or skin) and has eye ointment (called simple but not the same as moisturiser) before we walk where there have been deer. The trouble starts when they rub their itchy eyes and damage the cornea. That healing takes ages and doesn't come cheaply.

Well the vet did as sir sniffs said and he has luminous Green eyes now - perfect for Hallowe'en lol

She said it's conjunctivitis and could have been anything that caused the irritation - spaniels!

No sores or scratches though, phew. Eye drops and should be ok in a couple of days

Thanks everyone

Good news - hopefully. Sounds like an easy sort out.

(the green will go away by tomorrow)

Our dog walker recommended bathing eyes with milk for a mild infection. It has worked for us and is easier than trying to eye drops in. Our doggo likes to swim underwater in any patch of water she can find. If she leaps into stagnant water before I can call her, I know she's going to end up with some eye gunk.

@ilovesushi I've been trying to figure out what caused it. He was in the woods for the 1st time in 6 weeks (poorly paw had him on short lead walks) and he could have stuck his head into something like nettles or another dodgy plant. He also likes sticking his head in the water from the hose and he'd been to doggy daycare. Could have picked it up from another dog. He's a typical mad spaniel so could have been any of those tbh

OP: just as a flag for you to keep an eye out (pun intended!) my own spaniel had conjuctivits at about the same age and, in hindsight, it was the first sign of a food intolerance.

Something to keep in mind if you go on to battle infections like this or ear infections. Hopefully not.

Thanks @SirSniffsAlot - he has a few food intolerances we've identified. Wheat/grain, chicken and brewers yeast. He's now on raw food and so much better. I think one of his treats might contain grains (flour) as they're a baked biscuit type so I'm going to stop giving him those. So few training treats available without chicken or grain. Suggestions welcome 👍😁

Pet Munchies do some little soft squares of pure duck or salmon etc that are well priced, small enough for training, soft so quick to eat (important for training) and usually well liked.