Questions about eyes and eye drops

[MangasPeeps]

I read the sticky thread about eye care. It's a little unclear to me what eyedrops we should use for regular maintenance. I see the following at Petsmart: Nutri-Vet Eye Cleanse and Gold Medal Pals® Clean Eyes™ Soothing Eye Solution. Does anyone know about these? Are they good, or should we get something different?

Now, lately, Manga's eyes have been slightly red and we've gently cleaned them with warm water and gentle soap on a washcloth, drying her creases with a soft tissue. They seem to get better for a little bit, but each morning she has a discharge around her eyes. Is this normal? Can we get OTC drops to help? Or do we need to take her in to the vet for an evaluation?

Thanks!

[jstpugginalong]

Hi and welcome to the Village! I am speaking from personal experience here and I'm sure there are many others that will have more advice but first of all I wouldn't use any soap around her eyes, but a soft, damp clothe is good. It sounds like she may have what is called Dry Eye, but only a Vet could diagnose that. I use an ointment twice a day for my guys to help keep the eyes moist and they do great! My favorite is Puralube Vet Ointment for the eyes, and I prefer the ointment to a drop simply because it stays in the eye instead of running down their face ( ;

[Rosiepug]

I would not use any soap around the eye. Johnsons or Vitacoat brand of 'Diamond Eye' is a tear stain remover and facial fold cleanser, I use this daily... not to be used inside the eyes!!!

Grey matter can be found in the eyes after sleeping and usually means that the eyes are a little dry. You mention that your pugs eyes are a little red, this would suggest an eye infection or allergy and warrants a visit to the vet. You could ask at the visit for a Schirmer Eye Test to see if there is sufficient tear production. If necessary the Vet will prescribe suitable meds, otherwise you could ask what eye lube he recommends.

[CountryPug]

Many of us here use Genteal severe eye gel or the Genteal pm ointment. The Genteal pm ointment has the same ingredients as the Puralube you can get from the vet's office. You can buy the Genteal at Walmart. Keeping the eyes lubed really helps with the eye boogers and other irritations.

[Mountain Mom]

Joy's eyes were very much what you're describing. Her nose roll is pushing her lower lashes up against her eye and causing irritation. I'm using a Rx gel in the morning and Genteal afternoon and bedtime. I couldn't see what was causing the problem but my vet zeroed in on it right away. It's getting better as she gets older so we're hoping that it may correct itself as her little face grows and changes. If not, she'll need surgery down the road.

[Pugpillow]

I use Natural Tears II or Tear-Gel, both which you get OTC at the drugstore. White or greyish eye goop is not uncommon for pugs and occurs when there is insufficient tear production to flush normal debris from the eye. This is a condition known as "dry eye" or KCS (stands for keratoconjunctivitis sicca) potentially caused by eyelashes rubbing on the cornea either because of distichia (an eyelash growing in the wrong place) or entropion (the lower eyelid folding inwards towards the eye). Drops or ointment will help keep the eye moist and forestall progression of the dry eye but if there is dictichia or entropion going on, the underlying problem needs to be eliminated either by eyelash removal in the case of distichia or eyelid surgery in the case of entropion. These procedures are not uncommon with pugs and one of mine, Gooey, actually had both done.

If tear production is very low (14 or under on the Schirmer Tear Test), OTC products are not sufficient and the vet will prescribe something like Optimmune (which helps tear production) or tacrolimus drops/ointment. BTW, while you can still use OTC drops/ointment as well as prescription meds, ensure you wait about half an hour between applications as giving them at the same time is painful for the dog.

If the eye discharge is green, that signifies an infection and you need to apply antibiotic eye ointment and get to the vet ASAP. Infections coupled with a scratch on the cornea can turn ugly very quickly and you run the risk of the dog losing the eye.

[barbs pug]

I just had that problem with Audrey. She had pink eye and they gave me some gentamyacin (not sure of the spelling) to put in her eyes twice a day. Be careful though, I contacted pink eye from her by putting the eye drops in her. Both of us are alright now.