Excessive eye discharge? (eye booger)

In the very recent couple of days, Zion started to get excessive discharge on his eyes. They build up and get crusty pretty big on the inner corner of his eyes.

Even if I clean it up, they're back in 3-4 hours. It's been constant and sudden in last 2-3 days. When I check out his eye lining, the flesh/fold is inflamed and eyes are bloodshot.

It looks EXACTLY like when I get my severe spring hay fever (like dog like owner?), but January just ended and it's nothing but snow and ice outside (NYC).

Otherwise he is active, eats, sleeps, plays, & poops well.

What is he allergic to? There hasn't been any changes in diet or anything (well we moved to NYC 40 days ago).

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on February 8, 2011 at 4:23pm

Hi Andrew,

Make sure there's no foreign object in his eye, use saline to wash / rinse the area, warm compress also helps. Since you've just moved, I'll say most likely dust / mites. Turn on your humidifier, it'll reduce dust from flying around. Use a good quality air filter for your central heating, or invest in an air purifier if you don't have CH. I use the Filtrete system for my asthma at home, it works within minutes and saves me from using the inhaler.

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Permalink Reply by Chris West on February 8, 2011 at 4:31pm

Here are a couple of articles that you may find helpful. Also remember that your vet will most often times give free advice over the phone if you call them. Good luck!

Dog Eye Discharge Causes and Treatments

Dog Eye Discharge

Dog Eye Discharge 2

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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on February 8, 2011 at 4:38pm

it could be caused by a lot of different things, if its in both eyes than it is more likely due to an allergy or perhaps an upper respiratory or conjunctivitis rather than an ulcer or foreign body. Maybe try giving benadryl (I believe dosage is 1 mg/pound but look it up online just to be sure). If it is allergies, you should see a bit of an improvement with a benadryl, otherwise it may be a bacterial infection and he may need to see a vet. Eye issues can go from bad to worse pretty quickly so if you don't see any improvement by tomorrow I'd see a vet since its been going on for so long. Also, if you do see a vet, don't clean out the eye goo so the vet can actually see what is going on. Yellow/green goo usually indications bacterial infection, while clear/white is likely more due to allergies. Either way, allergy/infection, the vet can give you some meds to help him out.

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Permalink Reply by Amber and Kirby on February 8, 2011 at 8:52pm

my Kirby had what you described, he has seasonal allergies (even in winter) i give him half of a 25mg tablet of benadryle

(or the equate equivalent) every 8 hours. but always check with your vet first

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on February 8, 2011 at 11:27pm

Gwynnie often had clogged tear ducts when she was young. Tear streaks along her fur below the eye. She did not have "eye boogers" or crusty deposits.

Hot compresses worked well: damp washcloth in a baggie in the microwave. TEST IT FIRST ON YOUR OWN LIPS (microwave can leave really hot spots). Hold it over the eyes as long as the dog can stand. We had to do this fairly often, then it went away. Labor-intensive but effective.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle on February 8, 2011 at 11:50pm

I know that this might sound like I am understating what is going on but I wonder if all of the heat that we are having to utilize has anything to do with it....It just takes all of the humidity out of the air....

And by the way we normally do not have that problem. .....and I vow not to complain when it is 98 degrees and 90% humidity......kinda looking forward to it this year!

I have also noticed some eye irriation and my doggies have had little outside time due to rain.