American Bulldog With Pus-Like Discharge and Red Eyes
by Vera
(Tuscaloosa, AL)
Reader Question
My daughter has an American Bulldog who is around 9 years old. In early June, he started having problems with pus-like discharge and very red, swollen eyes. He is being treated by a group of vets who have tried various eye treatment. The first vet explained that his tear ducs probably do not create enough tears and that's what is causing the problem. My daughter has tried 2 different eye ointments that seemed to work awhile, but did not greatly improve his eye problem. Another vet mixed a solution of eye drops and she has used it for almost 2 weeks (twice a day) and we saw great improvement until a few days ago, he's started scratching his eyes. She has also given him benedryl off and on to help with the itching. He takes baby aspirin for joint pain, but I don't think that would be related. Because he is a white dog, the pigment in his skin turns pink if he's out in the sun for very long. He's an inside dog, but likes to use the dogie door to come and go to lay out in the sun. I'm sure it helps his joint pain.
Do you have any suggestions on how to treat his eye condition? See the attached pictures.
Thank you for your assistance.
Answer from Our Team
Thick, pus-like discharge and red eyes that improve with treatment and then flare are typical of dry eye, which your vet mentioned. Dry eye usually needs lifelong tear-stimulating medicine (cyclosporine or tacrolimus) plus lubricating drops, and it can take several weeks to work. Ask your vet to confirm it with a Schirmer tear test and to recheck tear levels on treatment.
New scratching can mean irritation, allergies, an extra eyelash or an ulcer, so have him rechecked. Sun can also damage the eyelids and skin of white dogs, so shade is a good idea.
See dog eye discharge for more on dry eye.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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