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Why is my dog's eye red, painful, squinting, and leaking discharge?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | spayed | 10 months and 19 days old | 61 lbs

Lab X Bull Arab, 10 months. She had tearing eye yesterday, no swelling or pain. Further leaking and viscous discharge from the eye. Cleaned her eye with a cloth and salt water bath. Eye now squinting and even more obviously red than before. Going to vet tomorrow but what sort of thing does this seem to be? She only seemed irritated after the eye bath. I have her in a dark room sleeping now to encourage normal eye tearing and function.

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3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Christie Long, DVM

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on July 20th, 2017

Squinting (blepharospasm) and tearing are non-specific signs of eye pain. Indie could have a corneal abrasion (scratch) or ulcer, or something (like something foreign, such as plant material) could be stuck under her third eyelid or elsewhere in her eye. Eye problems can rapidly progress, and I urge you to get her to the vet as soon as you can - even sooner than tomorrow if possible. Indie is also likely quite painful (I've been scratched in the eye by a cat and it was tremendous pain) so she needs pain relief as well as a diagnosis, in order to get the proper treatment.

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    Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Poor Indie! Some of the most common causes of eye discharge, redness, squinting and light sensitivity include corneal ulcers and eye infections. Your vet will be able to examine her eye and will likely need to stain her eye with a drop to check for the presence of any scratches or irritation on the cornea caused by an ulcer. From there, she will be prescribed with either antibiotics and/or steroid eye medications based upon the exam findings. Until Indie goes to her vet, be sure to keep an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent any scratching or rubbing of the affected eye, as this can make matters much worse. I hope that all goes well!

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    Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    She likely has an ulcer on the cornea due to trauma to the eye. The salt water bath may not have caused it, but it isn't going to resolve the issue either, because eye ulcers quickly lead to an eye infection, which requires antibiotics until the the ulcer heals. Your vet should be able to prescribe a topical eye antibiotic ointment to get this to heal. Best wishes at the vet and I hope Indie feels better soon. An Elizabethan collar can be placed on her in the meantime to prevent her from scratching the eye and causing more irritation.

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