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Originally Posted by kjc  I think that way too, but sometimes when the eyes are concerned, it's better to seek treatment quickly, to prevent permanent damage.
I just reread your 1st post and saw you did use Saline Solution as your first rinse, which is good. For future reference, the optimal time to take him to the vet would have been right after that. Also, I put a single drop of mineral oil in each eye prior to bathing, or AB eye ointment in a pinch if I don't have mineral oil on hand. This will protect the eyes from bath products getting in there and doing any damage.
It is normal for the eye to produce a lot of gunk the morning following such an episode. If the eye continues to produce gunk, I would get him right to the vet.
As shampoos tend to be alkaline, they can cause burns to the eye, so treatment and medication from the vet would neutralize the shampoo (or chemical) and promote healing.
The only way to tell if his eye has been damaged, or to tell how much damage was done, is by having the vet look at it. If the eye is still producing gunk or pus, or if he is unable to open the eye
completely, there is definitely a problem and he will need to be seen. |
KJC - can you elaborate on the alkalinity of shampoos? Does the bottle give ph balance - I've never noticed. One reason I'm asking is that we camp/hike and swim in the summer; and I often use a biodegradable shampoo and wash pups in the lake. I've not yet had any eye problems, but when they are self rinsing themselves I suppose some shampoo could get in their eyes. In my emergency kit I always have a saline solution,actually one under pressure, that I can use for paws to help rinse out the paws if they get abraded from the terrain. I have another saline solution just in the regular squeeze bottle for eyes.
I may have to rethink the head shampoo if so. Just do the body, and then wade in and hand shampoo and rinse head.
To the OP: it is possible that somehow your dog scratched his eye and that is the root cause of the eye irritation. I do agree with everyone else though, about a quick trip to have eye examined. Better safe than sorry is my motto.
