red eyes
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red eyes
Submitted by Anonymous on April 20, 2010 - 11:30pmA few days ago I noticed Bella's left eye was really red and it looked like her 3rd eyelid was swollen. I thought maybe allergies since we've had santa ana's and no humidity so I gave her benedryl. It got better as the day progressed but the next day not only was her left eye swollen and red again, but both eyes. I put lubricating drops in her eyes and also gave her some benedryl. Her eyes looked immediately better and stayed that way for a while. Today her eyes are red again and swollen and I've noticed her eyes are extremely droopy. I've looked at her eye lashes to see if they were irritating her but her eyes are so droopy that her bottom lashes aren't even close to her eyes. She's had eye boogers but nothing abnormal, although they've been staying in her eye due to her eyes being droopy. It doesn't seem like she's in any discomfort.
Is this a vet visit for some antibiotics or should I continue the drops and benedryl to see if it gets better on their own?
Is this a normal thing that happens due to bad allergies?
Thank you in advance to any and all responses that can help her get better.
Attached is a picture we just took before we put more drops in. She just got out of the bath so she was a little peeved we were trying to take pics of her hahaha Miss Attitude!! 
Dry-eyes and Santa Ana winds are a difficult combo...
and its not so much the allergies (altho this could be a contributing factor) but I'd guess that the dryness is the major irritant. You can and should be putting artificial tears in her eyes at least 3-4 times a day, and remember that when you see that goop, you flood the eye with 2-3 drops, wipe away the goop gently, and then always finish with another drop so you don't leave the eye "dry". If you have or stop by the pharmacy and get some eye lubricant (non-Rx)that seems to stay in the eye a bit longer and its recommended for overnight moisture...about a 1/2inch strip laid inside the lower eyelid (pull it down slightly to make a trough and lay the ointment in that strip). Natural blinking will distribute the product.
The weather is supposed to improve (moisture-wise) next week so you may choose to keep using artificial tears for a few more days and then if its not better by Mon-Tues, talk with your vet about possible KCS. The two most popular medications for KCS are cyclosporin and tacrolimus, both are Rx and both are a bit costly, need to be used for a lifetime (bottle lasts 4-6wks depending if needed for one eye or both) but it DOES help. Bet news would be that its just allergies or temporary condition.
Thank you....
for your reply. Now that the rain is here they dont look as bad, but I am continuing the drops.
Thanks again for the much appreciated info.
P.S. If anybody out there knows of a good bully vet in the ventura cnty area pass their name my way. I haven't agreed with Bella's vet the past few times Ive gone. Time to move on to someone with a little more experience with our special breed!
Thanks in advance.