Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

Why is my German Shepherd's eye squinting and third eyelid showing suddenly?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | 2 years and 9 months old | 70 lbs

Our German shepherds third eye lot recently has had difficulty retracting at times. She also appears to be squinting with the same eye quite a bit. It happened suddenly yesterday.

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on May 6th, 2018

This can be a sign that Cali has an eye infection or may have injured her eye. This is something that needs to be checked out by a vet, as leaving eye problems untreated can lead to vision loss. I would take her into your vet first thing in the morning to have her eye examined and treated. You can try flushing her eye with sterile saline tonight to see if that helps with the squinting. Best of luck.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a red, swollen, itchy eye with discharge. She seems sensitive to light and is not her usual high energy self. I used saline eye wash for a day and it got worse. Now I'm using vetericyn eye gel and it seems to help. When I opened her eyes t
Hi there. I'm so sorry to hear about Cailbur's eye issue! Let me see if I can help. Sometimes, when dog's have an eye infection, it can be secondary to trauma to the surface of the eye called the cornea. In this case, we can get a scratch on the cornea, and over time, if not treated appropriately, it may turn into a large corneal ulcer. The ulcer can make the eye look cloudy. Sometimes it can be after it heals, or sometimes it can happen if the ulcer is very deep. In this case, Calibur would need to go to a veterinarian so they can check for an ulcer, and then get some antibiotic ointment or drops to apply. Another condition german shepherds can develop in the eyes is called, pannus. This is an autoimmune disease, and although we are unsure of the direct cause, it is controlled by daily eye medications. There are several other eye issues that I can think of, but these are the two most common that I see in a dog of Calibur's age and breed. Again, I would make an appointment for her to s
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
German shepherd I believe has cherry eye. What can I do for her. She is 7 years old. Corner of eyes seem to have extra coverage and lots of eye gook. Thank you.
It's uncommon for an older dog to get a cherry eye. If there is an eye ulcer or injury the third eyelid may be up covering the eye to protect it. Since there is excessive discharge she may now have an infection in the eye. Please take her in for an exam. They will make sure there is nothing in the eye, check her tear production, and stain the eye to see if there is a corneal ulcer. Once they know the problem and she receives the proper treatment then third eyelid should go back where you can't see it. Eye problems are painful and she could lose sight in that eye if not treated so please bring her in soon. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Shanis.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, I have a 9 week old Australian Shepherd. She seems to have a very watery right eye and it looks swollen on the far left corner. She also seems to be squinting that eye. What could be going on? And what can I do to help?
Poor puppy! Squinting the eye is a sign of pain. From the photo, the only red thing I see is the third eyelid and that looks inflamed. I am concerned that your puppy has either scratched her cornea, is getting a nasty eye infection or has something stuck under the third eyelid. There’s nothing you can do at home for a scratch or infection other than make sure the puppy does not rub the eye as that will make it worse. An elizabethan collar should be worn at all times to protect the eye. I recommend to have the puppy seen today as it likely is uncomfortable. The doctor will use a special dye to check for an injury to the cornea. You pup will likely get eye medications pending diagnosis. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions. I’m not sure if this is reposted by accident!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I noticed this morning my Anatolian shepherd's eye was off, one was squinting and It was droopy and the was more mucus then normal. Is this just an alergy or should I be rushing him to the vet?
I would have him seen by a vet today or tomorrow. The squinting makes me worried there could be a scratch on his eye (corneal ulcer) and this needs to be identified and treated with prescription antibiotic ointment as soon as possible. Allergies can cause an eye to be red and have some mucus discharge but generally both eyes are somewhat affected and squinting less likely. In the meantime prevent buddy from pawing at his eye so the irritation doesn't get worse. Hope he s felling better very soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dogs right eye is looking funny. She is squinting and when I get her to open her eye you can see her third eye lid is showing.
Moira is probably suffering from an eye infection, a foreign body under the third eyelid or an eye injury, you will need to take her to the vet as soon as possible in order to get the eye checked and treated, it's important to check there is no injury or damage to the eye before treatment can be given.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Looks like my dog might have an eye infection or got something in her eyes
This could be an eye infection (and, looking at the photo the eye lids are very swollen there is a discharge and your dog is squinting because it is painful) caused either by bacteria, inflammation, or possibly even mechanical damage caused by ingrown hairs , or eye lashes. Eye problems are always emergencies. You will need to take Summer to a veterinarian or Pet ER for an exam now, please.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My German Shepard’s eye looks glassy sometimes and waters, could she have hay fever? She is in perfect health otherwise. Eats, drinks plays normally.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is not necessarily a sign of a fever. This could be due to an eye injury or conditions such as a corneal laceration, corneal ulcer, conjunctivitis, dry eye (also known as KCS), allergies, among many other conditions. I highly recommend that you have Bear evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Further therapy would be based on the findings. Good luck and best wishes!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Robin is having a hard time opening her eyes. Since she woke up this morning she has been like this. She is either squinting or closing her eyes. We flushed out her eyes with water and it kinda helps for a few minutes. But Ashe somewhat can kinda kee
Awww. Poor baby. She looks like they are painful. Their eyes stick out more than a lot of other breeds so they are very susceptible to eye injuries, scratches or even dryness. You could try artificial tears or some other straight saline eye drop. No medications unless prescribed by the veterinarian. Eye problems should be addressed quickly so if she doesn’t improve with just some saline flush or tears have her looked at. They will do a thorough eye exam and stain the eyes to look for any scratches
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, I was out with my 1year old rottweiler. As soon as we came home I saw that her left eye was half closed. Lower eyelid was little bit down than usually and her whit of the eye was little bit red. After +- 30minutes her eye looked good. But Aft
It is possible she has been irritated by something out walking or may have scratched the eye with a thorn or twig (the other eye will often react as a reflex to pain and irritation). You could try flushing the eyes with cooled previously boiled water to remove anything which is still in them such as dust but if the squinting continues you should get the eyes checked for injury and ulcers by your vet
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Ruby won’t open her eyes,she squinting n hiding under the blanket
She is likely suffering from an irritating severe eye infection, i would strongly recommend taking her to the vet ASAP in order to get her eyes checked and treated (this will require antibiotic eye drops)
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Eye Care Dog Supplies Dog Food Dog Ear & Eye Care Dog Ear Care Dog Ear & Eye Medicine Dog Health & Wellness Cat Ear & Eye Care Cat Eyedrops & Ear Medication Reptile Skin & Eye Care Curicyn Dog Eye Care Natural Remedies Dog Eye Care Vetericyn Dog Eye Care Angels' Eyes Dog Eye Care Skout's Honor Dog Eye Care Well & Good Dog Eye Care Earth Animal Dog Eye Care HICC Pet Dog Eye Care Angels' Eyes Dog Ear & Eye Care Well & Good Dog Ear & Eye Care
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored