Dog Eye Infection Spread to Both Eyes

We took our dog annie into the vet about a week ago for her eye that was very cloudy and red (we believe she will loose this eye).

The vet told us it was an infection that was just really severe. They sewed her eye shut and we have been putting ointment in it. The vet also told us there was no chance it would spread to her other eye......well we checked on her today and her other eye is cloudy but not red.

We will be taking her to the vet in the morning but if anyone has any information it would be great.

Vet Comment - Why Dog Eye Infection Spread to Both Eyes

Hello,

Severe eye infections like this can occur in one of two ways: from the outside in, or from the inside out.

When they start from the outside and work their way in (e.g., from a wound on the surface of the eye), they should not spread to the other eye. But if the infection originated from the inside of the eye, both eyes can become affected.

The eye filters blood and if there are bacteria in the blood stream, they can become lodged in the eye and start an infection.

Another possibility is that your dog has an underlying condition affecting both eyes (e.g., dry eye) that predisposes her to developing infections.

Eye problems in dogs can be difficult to deal with. You might want to talk to your vet to see whether or not referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist is called for in this case.

Good luck,

Jennifer Coates, DVM