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Puppy's Eye Suddenly Swelled Up After Rubbing It

by Lisa


Reader Question
I was holding my puppy and noticed he was making odd noises and rubbing his eyes. Then I looked down and his whole left eye was swollen, as if someone had hit him. I put a cold towel on it to slow the swelling, used a cone to stop him scratching, and gave him an over-the-counter antihistamine. He usually sneezes several times when I come home from work, then it settles down. He also licked the paw he used to rub his eye. He rubbed his other eye too, but it didn't puff up. His eye is still puffy. What should we do?


Answer from Our Team

Sudden puffiness after rubbing, especially in a dog who sneezes when you come home, is often an allergic reaction or an insect bite. A cold compress and a cone to stop rubbing were sensible first steps.

Please call your vet before giving any human medicine, so they can check that it's suitable and confirm the right dose for his size. Vets often treat allergic swelling with an injection that works quickly.

Go to an emergency vet right away if the swelling spreads to his face or throat, or if he has trouble breathing, vomits or seems weak. Rubbing can also scratch the eye or push in something like a seed, so if he squints, the eye looks cloudy, or the swelling hasn't improved by the next day, have your vet check it with a dye test. If the sneezing and itchy eyes keep happening, ask about environmental allergies.

See swollen eyes in dogs and eye allergies.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.

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