Older Lab's Third Eyelid Suddenly Covering the Eye
by kelly
(vernon ct)
Reader Question
i have a 12 yr old lab when we woke up this morning her eye was swollen and part of the nictitatin membrain was cover a part of her eye, what can i do to help it go back into place
Answer from Our Team
Please don't try to push it back. When the third eyelid suddenly comes up over the eye, it's usually a sign of something else, such as eye pain (from an ulcer or a foreign body), swelling behind the eye, or a nerve problem called Horner's syndrome, which also causes a small pupil and a droopy eyelid.
With the eye swollen as well, she should see a vet within a day. The vet can stain the eye to look for an ulcer, check the pressure, and look for a cause behind the eye.
Our page on dog eye infections lists signs that need prompt care.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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