One of our dogs seems to have allergies or she got some dirt/water in them from swimming in the lake. Can we use contact solution Or saline solution to clean her eyes?!
A pharmacy will carry a saline eye flush. Just careful if she is squinting/rubbing that there is not an ulcer brewing. I would probably have your dog see a vet if the saline solution doesnt completely fix it. I have seen too many dogs loose their eyes because owners have neglected to treat ulcers properly. Hopefully that isnt the case and the flush will do the trick!
Another vote for plain saline
DO NOT USE CONTACT SOLUTION IN THE EYES! Treated a dog who’s owners were trying to flush the eyes, but used contact solution. The entire cornea of both eyes developed ulcerations from the solution. It was very painful for both pup and owner, who of course felt horrible!
Plain saline is fine, just if it’s not improving quickly time for a trip to the vet. Eyes can get bad very quickly so it’s not something to generally wait on.
I have a friend whose dog has lost some sight because his eyes stopped producing tears - without the tears, his eyes became so irritated that they actually became injured and scarred in places. The early symptoms were very goopy, nasty eyes, which unfortunately didn’t ring any bells for the owner as the dog is one of those somewhat pop-eyed toys whose eyes are always kind of messy.
There’s a variety of contact solution which is intended to be used only in the case, and never in the eyes - whatever is in it dissolves overnight, so the contacts are safe in the morning, but it could do real damage if used directly on the eye.
I use artificial tears (sterile saline solution) to wash my dogs’ eyes with. I actually buy a big box of the single-use tubes, because I worry about an open bottle becoming contaminated. I always have a big handful or two in my show bag, because there is always hair, powder and sprays at dogs shows and I sometimes need to wash their eyes out. It comes in quite handy, and I feel free to share as needed.
