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Why are my German Shepherd's eyes droopy and sensitive to light?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | neutered | 5 years and 2 months old

My German Shepherd, Bailey, is having problems with his eyes. He looks tired like his eyes are closing because he is gonna fall asleep. He can barely keep them open. We have flushed them out with water and have put eye drops in them but they look droopy. I tried to look in his eyes with a flashlight but he kept his eyes closed so I think bright lights hurt his eyes right now. We might go to the vet tomorrow if it is still occurring but I would like to at least know what might be occurring.

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Chad Brown, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 2nd, 2018

Hello and thank you very much for your inquiry. Bailey sure is a handsome fella. I appreciate you sending pictures very much, however I am unable to really get a good look at the eyes. There are so many ocular disease is that German Shepherd‘s can acquire and most of the clinical signs of that disease are things like squinting, tearing, and scratching at the eyes. But there are very few things related to the eye it’s self that makes an animal look sleepy. I am courage you to take him in to the veterinarian as soon as possible so that they can do a thorough ophthalmic examination. The veterinarian may want to do a full physical examination as well to make sure that he doesn’t have anything else going on that would causing him to act sleepy. Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope I have given you some helpful information.

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