Managing Eye Allergies in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Understanding Dog Eye Allergies

Like humans, dogs can suffer from eye allergies leading to irritation, puffiness, swelling, and discharge. These uncomfortable symptoms are often caused by environmental allergens like pollen, mold, dust mites or certain foods.

Catching allergy symptoms early and identifying the trigger is key to providing relief and comfort for your canine companion.

Common Causes of Dog Eye Allergies

Some of the most frequent culrpits of dog eye allergies include:

• Pollen - from trees, grasses, weeds
• Mold spores
• Dust mites
• Food proteins
• Flea bites
• Bacteria or viruses
• Cleaning products or grooming shampoos

Symptoms of Dog Eye Allergies

Signs your dog may have eye allergies include:

• Red, swollen, puffy eyes
• Itchy eyes and face
• Excessive tearing
• Green, yellow, or brown discharge
• Crusting around the eyes
• Squinting or blinking more
• Pawing, rubbing, scratching at the eyes
• Recurrent eye infections

These symptoms can indicate mild irritation or more significant conditions like infection, glaucoma or anterior uveitis requiring veterinary attention.

Treatment for Allergic Dog Eyes

Relieving allergy eye discomfort often involves a combination approach:

• Avoiding triggers when possible
• Over-the-counter eye drops or wash
• Oral antihistamines or supplements
• Prescription anti-inflammatory eye medications
• Allergy immunotherapy shots

Work closely with your veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment plan for your dog.

Over-the-Counter Treatments for Dog Eye Allergies

Mild allergy eye symptoms can often be managed at home with certain ophthalmic over-the-counter products including:

Artificial Tears

Applying artificial tear ointment or eye drops can help soothe irritation by lubricating, rinsing away the allergens, and easing itching and burning.

Eye Washes or Sterile Eyedrops

Sterile saline eye washes help flush out the eye, remove debris, pus or allergens and keep the eyes moisturized. These may also contain soothing ingredients like aloe vera.

Antihistamine Eye Drops

Over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops like Zaditor or Alaway work similarly to oral antihistamines by blocking histamine release and reducing allergy symptoms.

Colloidal Oatmeal

Colloidal oatmeal applied around the eyes with a warm, wet cloth can reduce swelling and soothe irritated, itchy skin from eye allergies.

Be very careful not to touch the drops or ointments directly to your dogs eyes which could lead to contamination. Only use products formulated specifically for dog eyes and seek veterinary guidance on proper use.

Managing Allergies at Home

In addition to medication, several at home measures can provide relief from seasonal or environmental dog eye allergies:

Bathe Regularly

Bathing your dog at least once a week can wash away pollen and other allergy triggers from the fur and skin before they transfer to the eyes.

Wipe Paws

Use pet wipes to gently clean your dogs paws each time you return from outdoor activities to remove pollen, dirt and allergens.

Limit Outdoor Time

When allergen levels are high like during peak pollen seasons, minimize outside time to a few short bathroom walks.

Close Windows

Shutting windows and running an air purifier helps filter out environmental allergens circulating indoors.

Wash Bedding

Frequently washing your dogs bed, blanket, crate pad and any other fabric items removes accumulated pet dander, pollen or dust mite allergens.

Vacuum Regularly

Vacuuming carpets, bare floors and upholstery helps extract dust and pet dander that could worsen allergies for dogs.

Elimination or Hypoallergenic Diets

If your dog has recurring allergy symptoms, your vet may recommend specialized prescription food or hypoallergenic diets which feature:

• Limited ingredients to pinpoint triggers
• Novel proteins your dog hasnt eaten before like duck, kangaroo, or venison
• Hydrolyzed protein sources that are easier to digest

These foods reduce exposure to potential food allergens your dog could be sensitive to. They also contain nutrients tailored to support skin and coat health unlike regular dog food.

Most Common Dog Food Allergens

The ingredients dogs are most commonly allergic to include:

• Chicken
• Beef
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Corn
• Wheat
• Soy

While less likely, even hypoallergenic proteins like lamb, venison, duck or fish can still cause allergies in some dogs.

Tips for Transitioning Food

To transition your dog to a new elimination diet food, follow these tips:

• Mix the new food with your dogs old food, gradually changing the ratios over 5-7 days
• If diarrhea or vomiting occur, slow the transition
• Stick with the elimination diet for at least 8-12 weeks to gauge effectiveness
• Avoid all other foods, treats and table scraps which could skew results

Keep your veterinarian informed if symptoms worsen or fail to improve within several weeks on the diet change.

Allergy Medications for Dogs

If over-the-counter options dont provide enough relief, stronger veterinarian prescribed medications help tackle eye allergy symptoms more aggressively. These may include:

Oral Antihistamines

Veterinary formulations of antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or hydroxyzine block histamine receptors to reduce inflammation. These come in both injectable and oral tablet or liquid forms.

Steroid Eye Drops or Ointments

Corticosteroid eye drops like Pred Forte help control inflammation. Though steroid use has risks with long term use, they offer fast relief for moderate to severe eye allergy symptoms.

Immunosuppressants

In refractory cases, cyclosporine or tacrolimus eye drops calm the immune response. These specialized drugs come with more potential side effects.

Allergen Specific Immunotherapy

Allergy shots contain increasing amounts of the allergen to reprogram the immune system's response. These are around 50-60% effective for environmental allergies in dogs.

When to See the Vet

Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian if you notice any of the following in your dog:

• Green, yellow or bloody eye discharge
• Swelling or eyelid irritation lasting over 48 hours
• Crusty, red eyes not improving with home treatment
• Rubbing, pawing or scratching at their eyes excessively
• Squinting, sensitivity to light or sudden vision changes
• Sneezing, nasal discharge or other respiratory signs

Its important to have your vet examine your dogs eyes and determine whether symptoms stem from allergies, infection, or more serious eye diseases requiring medical intervention.

Preventing Allergy Flare Ups

While curing eye allergies isnt always possible, staying diligent with avoiding triggers and adhering to treatment helps prevent miserable allergy flare ups. Other proactive steps include:

• Keeping up with flea, tick and heartworm preventatives
• Grooming regularly to prevent skin and ear infections
• Visiting the vet annually to catch any health issues early
• Following your veterinarians medication and treatment instructions

Be attentive to eye redness, discharge, swelling or irritation year round. Catching allergy symptoms promptly makes treatment easier and less invasive.

With an accurate diagnosis and properly managed care plan, most dogs can live comfortably despite battling periodic eye allergies.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.