Vizslas are a medium-sized, shorthaired hunting dog that is originally from Hungary. They have an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years. And they love hunt games such as rabbits and squirrels. But besides all this, Vizslas are also prone to eye conditions like “cherry eye.” Do you know that Vizsla’s eyes can turn red? This is because they look like they have blood coming out of them.
There are many possible reasons why Vizsla’s eyes might be ready. Such as allergies, conductivities, corneal ulcer, dry eye, glaucoma, foreign attack, or irritation in the eyes. Moreover, you will notice your Vizslas eyes turning red when you leave your dog to swim for a longer time.
Further, this article will discuss the causes of this problem in more detail. I will give you all the necessary information that I know and could find. Sp. I hope this will be informative for you.
Why Are My Vizsla’s Eyes Red?
Vizsla might have various eye colors like blue, brown, or hazel, according to the breed type. When you talk about the Vizsla’s eye color, it is often about their iris, which can range from copper-brown, amber, and greenish-blue that varies at different times of the day due to the reflection of light.
Besides this, the eye color also changes with age. Since the eyes are a window into who your dog really is, the color of your Vizsla’s eyes can tell you a lot about their health.
When it comes to the question, “why are my vizsla’s eyes red?” there is some good news and bad. The answer to that depends on what causes them to have red-rimmed or bloodshot eyes. It might be due to allergies, glaucoma, conjunctivitis, dry eye, or the other common dog eye diseases.
Is It Normal For Vizslas To Have Red Eyes?
Even though Vizsla’s eye color might differ a lot with age, breed type, and even environmental condition yet, Vizsla’s eyes can appear red for different reasons. The most common cause of a Vizsla having red, itchy, and bloodshot eyes are dry eye. And this will also have accompanying symptoms like excessive tearing or discharge from the eye(s).
Along with this, allergies, conjunctivitis (pinkeye), and corneal ulcers can also cause Vizsla’s eye color to change. For instance: an allergen will trigger the release of histamines from your body which in turn might cause redness or itchiness on the surface of your pet dog’s eyes.
So, it isn’t normal for Vizsals to have red eyes. Hence, you need to check your Vizsla’s eye condition and treat it accordingly when you notice your dog’s eye turning red.
What Causes A Vizsla’s Red Eyes?
Being a playful and energetic dog, Vizslas are prone to getting red eyes. There are several causes for this. However, the most common cause to name some, are allergens, dry eye, conjunctivitis, and corneal ulcers.
Allergies
Vizslas are among the breeds that tend to suffer from allergies more than others do. Common allergens for a vizsla are mosquitoes (or other bugs), dust mites, or pollen in the air. Some dogs may also be allergic to food, which is why it’s always important to introduce new foods slowly.
Moreover, seasonal or year-round allergies can lead to red, itchy, and weepy eyes in your Vizsla. Allergic reactions are the most common cause of eye itchiness for dogs. So if you notice itching around their face, licking at their face, and scratching at their face, then they’re probably allergic to something.
If your Vizsla has problems with allergies and is not responding well to over-the-counter medications, talk with a veterinarian about prescription options that may help them feel better.
Glaucoma
The eye condition glaucoma can cause red eyes in Vizslas due to the increase in fluid pressure within their eyeballs. Dogs with this condition may have increased levels of eye discharge and a yellowish discoloration on the whites of their eyes, which can make them appear red.
Conjunctivitis
This is an inflammation or infection that causes swollen membranes around your Vizsla’s eyes, often with discharge and crusting. Common causes of conjunctivitis are bacteria or viruses that cause inflammation by infecting their inner lining (conjunctiva), which can lead to redness in your Vizsla’s eye as well as other symptoms like watery eyes.
Besides bacterial or viral infection, it is also possible that the red eyes result from dry eyes caused by either environmental or hereditary factors. Therefore, there may be a treatment option for this condition.
Dry Eye
A dry eye is a condition where there is not enough moisture on the outer surface of your Vizsla’s eyes, which causes irritation and redness. It might be due to environmental factors or medical conditions such as diabetes, lupus, allergies (dust mites), uveitis(inflammation in the eye’s middle layer), or glaucoma.
You can treat dry Eyes in Vizslas with artificial tears available over the counter at any pharmacy. You should also make sure your Vizsla has plenty of freshwaters every day to ensure their eyes remain moist and healthy.
Foreign Object Or Injury
Vizslas can be very playful and inquisitive. Unfortunately, they’re also a notorious breed for exploring their environment with their mouths, which sometimes land them in trouble. Sometimes the Vizsla’s red eyes are because something caught up near their eye; usually, it will be fairly easy to remove by washing or pulling the item out with tweezers. However, if you fail to remove the object, it could result in eye infection and potential damage to your Vizsla’s cornea. So please make sure you are gentle when removing any foreign objects lodged near his eyes.
If your Vizsla has injuries, its eyes will be red due to constant scratching and pawing. Moreover, something might also get inside their eyes while your dog does so. So, if you don’t know how to remove the object, take them to a veterinarian or emergency vet for immediate assistance.
Corneal Ulcers
Corneal ulcers are a dog eye problem that will require vet attention. Usually, dry eyes, allergies, or glaucoma causes corneal ulcers. Infection occurs after the cornea damages. It becomes more susceptible to secondary infections from bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruoginosa, which in turn causes corneal ulcers. Corneal ulcers can be painful for your Vizsla and cause him to squint or hold his eye closed.
Uveitis
In Vizsla’s case, uveitis is a potential cause of red eyes. It occurs when inflammation in the eye makes it difficult to focus and see clearly. There are three types of uveitis: anterior, intermediate, and posterior. The most common type seen in dogs with red eyes (including Vizslas) is intermediate uveitis.
The symptoms for this type of inflammation in the eye are extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia), pain sensitivity to light, and red eyes with a cloudy appearance.
How Can I Identify Which Of The Causative Agent Cause Red Eyes In My Vizsla?
Many Vizslas have a high incidence of red-eye. The first step is to determine if it’s an infection or something else. So, few tips can help you identify the causative agent that causes red eyes in your Vizsla.
Hence, you can identify the causative agents of your Vizsla’s red eyes according to the symptoms they show. Such as:
- Allergies: Red eyes, tearing, itching, and discharge from the eye.
- Glaucoma: Sudden red eyes, blurred vision, and blindness.
- Bacterial infection, conjunctivitis, and dry eye have the appearance of thick yellow discharge from your Vizsla’s eyes.
- Corneal ulcers: Pain when opening their eyes, decreased vision, and a red appearance of the cornea.
- Uveitis: Swollen eyelids, pain when opening eyes, reddened sclera (the white part around the eye), or cloudy lens.
- Conjunctivitis: Red or pink eye, sore eyelids, excessive tearing, and swelling of the conjunctiva.
- Dry eyes: Mild irritation such as itchiness, stinging, burning sensation, and decrease in natural tear production.
If you notice any unusual symptoms from your Vizslas’ eyes, like redness or swelling, then it’s best to take them to the vet for a check-up.
Treatment Of Red Eyes Of My Vizsla
If you are unsure of what causes the redness, it is best to consult with a vet. According to the causative agent and the severity of the case, there are several treatment options for the red eyes in Vizsla. Such as:
Topical Treatment
You can use topical ophthalmic drops for the treatment of dry eye, conjunctivitis, or allergic conjunctivitis. The Vet also prescribes antibiotic drops if the infection persists, such as butylphthalide eye ointment, erythromycin ophthalmic suspension, and chloramphenicol sodium succinate.
Oral Treatment
Usually, the Vet prescribes antibiotic tablets (orally) in corneal ulcers, uveitis, or other severe cases. Some oral medications for the red eyes of your dog are tetracyclines, erythromycin, and chloramphenicol.
But remember to use it only after the prescription of the Vet when topical fails to work.
Diet
It is crucial to maintain a healthy diet for your Vizsla and keep it from any allergenic substances like dust mites that cause inflammation of the eyes.
Soothing Solutions
Keep in mind to use eye drops every once to relieve any irritation, or use a soothing solution for the eyes.
Surgery
If the cause of red eyes is a foreign object or injury, surgery may be necessary to remove it.
Home Remedies
Some home remedies for minor cases like conjunctivitis and dry eye syndrome are using eye drops more often. Plus, keeping your Vizsla’s environment clean will help keep their eyes healthy.
Are Vizsla’s Eyes Prone To Infection?
The infection in your Vizslas eyes is not really common, but it may happen because of an injury. And when there are other risk factors present like dryness, allergies, or eye injuries. Also, since Vizslas are playful dogs, they are more prone to injuries, which can be a contagious source of infection.
Infection is also possible when your dog has been in contact with other dogs that have the condition or if it frequently visits places where there are high contamination levels (like animal shelters). To avoid such an unfortunate situation, make sure you keep your Vizsla’s eyes clean and free from any irritants.
How Do I Treat My Vizslas Red Eyes?
Depending on the severity and prior treatment for this type of condition. Several treatment options may be available, such as topical ophthalmic drops or oral medications.
- If your vizsla has dry eye, allergies, or glaucoma, a vet may recommend hydration therapy to keep the eyes moist and lubricated. This includes eating soft foods such as fresh-cooked homemade food with green vegetables and potassium-rich fruits to provide the necessary nutrients for good eye health.
- If your vizsla has an underlying condition such as a bacterial infection or autoimmune disease, consult with a vet to diagnose and treat the cause of red eyes first before using topical ophthalmic drops or oral medications.
- Treating mild conjunctivitis may include soothing treatments like warm compresses or ointments such as artificial tears.
- If your vizsla has corneal ulcers, a vet will prescribe an antibiotic treatment to reduce the risk of infection and reoccurrence.
- Similarly, if uveitis is present, the Vet prescribes anti-inflammatory medications for treatment.
How To Keep My Vizsla’s Eyes Healthy?
Eyes are crucial for Vizsla’s health and well-being. They can spot prey from a mile away with their excellent vision and see things that we cannot even perceive with our naked eye. So, to give your dog a qualitative life, it is vital to take care of their eyes.
Therefore, here are few tips to keep your Vizsla’s eyes healthy:
- contact your vet immediately if you notice any change in the color of your dog’s eyes or anything unusual in their eye;
- clean around and under your Vizsla’s eyes with warm water and a cloth to remove dirt and oils from its face;
- let your Vizsla wear a pet safety harness with a quick-release buckle every time it goes for a walk so that you can hold the leash in one hand and carry its food and water bowl in another;
- clean your dog’s eye area at least twice or three times per week.
- keep an eye on his paws for signs of infection (pain, swelling, and redness)
- keep your Vizsla’s nails trimmed to prevent scratching their eyes or face
- choose food with high-quality protein that is easy on the stomach, such as chicken.
Conclusion
Whether your Vizsla’s eyes are turning red for the first time or you have dealt with this issue before, it can be a very worrisome and frustrating experience. You want to make sure that there is nothing seriously wrong with their health and don’t want them in pain.
Fortunately, we have all of the information about what could cause red eyes in your Vizsla so that you know how to care for them correctly. We will start by looking at some common causes of eye inflammation. And then move on to treatment options if they develop any symptoms. Let us know the causative agent of red eyes in your Vizsla below, and we will help guide you through what steps you should take next.
