Learn how to identify and treat a stye in your dog's eye. See pictures of dog eye styes and get tips on home remedies and when to see the vet.
My Dog's Swollen, Red Eyelid Bump
Last week, I noticed my golden retriever Sunny pawing at her left eye a lot. Upon closer inspection, I saw a red, swollen bump right on the edge of her lower eyelid. It looked sore and irritated. Sunny kept squinting that eye and tearing up more than usual. I had a hunch it might be a stye.
As a long-time dog owner, I'm always keeping tabs on my pup's eye health. Things like dog eye boogers, conjunctivitis, and dry eye are pretty common. But in all my years, I had never encountered a dog eye stye before. Naturally, I turned to Google, searching for terms like "pictures of a stye in a dog's eye" and "can dogs get styes?" to see if Sunny's symptoms matched up.
What Does a Dog Eye Stye Look Like?
So, can dogs have styes? The answer is a definite yes. Dog eye styes, medically known as hordeolums, are painful red bumps that form along the eyelid margins. They happen when an oil gland or eyelash follicle gets clogged and infected by bacteria. The result is a swollen, pus-filled lump on the upper or lower eyelid.
I found lots of dog stye pictures online that looked just like the bump on Sunny's eyelid. In the images, you could clearly see a defined, raised nodule right on the rim of the dog's eyelid. The bumps were usually bright red and accompanied by general eyelid puffiness. Some pictures of a stye in a dog's eye also showed thick, sticky discharge around the eye.
Besides the visible stye on dog's eye, other symptoms can include:
- Squinting or holding eye partially shut
- Excessive tearing or watery discharge
- Rubbing or pawing at the eye
- Sensitivity to touch around the eye
So in short, if your dog has a red, swollen lump on the eyelid margin plus any of those signs, odds are you're looking at a sty in dog's eye. The dog stye pictures I found were really helpful in confirming Sunny's condition.
What Causes Styes in Dogs Eyes?
So why do some dogs get styes while others don't? Experts say dog eye styes usually pop up when a dog's immune system is compromised or the eye suffers some minor trauma. This allows the normal staph bacteria living on the skin to invade and infect the eyelid glands.
However, the precise underlying cause is often unknown. Certain factors may make a dog stye more likely though, such as:
- Eye allergies
- Debris or extra eyelashes irritating the eye
- Eyelid abnormalities like entropion
- Immune disorders
- Previous eye infections
Older dogs also tend to be more prone to styes and other eyelid bumps. But in reality, any dog can get an eye stye under the right circumstances.
Dog Eye Stye Treatment Options
I know from experience that dog eye issues can go downhill fast. So when I realized my dog has a stye, I wasted no time looking into treatment options. Luckily, most dog eye styes clear up just fine with some simple home remedies or vet-prescribed treatments.
The main goals of treatment are to:
- Encourage the stye to drain on its own
- Control pain and inflammation
- Prevent the infection from spreading
Here are some of the most effective remedies for a stye in dog's eye:
Home Remedies
For a minor stye on dog's eye, home treatment is often sufficient. The key is to apply warm compresses to the eye for 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times per day. The warmth helps open up the clogged gland and draw the stye to a head so it can drain naturally.
It's also important to keep the eye area clean. Use a soft, damp cloth or cotton ball to gently wipe away any crusty discharge. And make sure your pup isn't rubbing or scratching at the stye, as this can make it worse. An Elizabethan collar can help prevent pawing if needed.
Medications
If the dog eye stye is very red, swollen, or painful, medications may help speed healing. Your vet may prescribe a topical antibiotic ointment or drops to combat the bacterial infection. For severe infections, oral antibiotics might be used.
Vets sometimes also suggest anti-inflammatory eye drops to reduce swelling and discomfort. I've had good luck with over-the-counter drops containing a low dose of hydrocortisone for my dog's eye allergies.
Surgery
It's very rare for a dog stye to require surgery. But if the stye is extremely large or not responding to other treatments, surgical drainage may be necessary. In this minor procedure, the vet lances and drains the stye under local anesthesia.
For dogs that get recurrent styes due to eyelid abnormalities, surgery to remove the affected eyelid margin may be recommended. This is called a wedge resection and can help prevent future styes from forming.
When To See The Vet For a Dog Eye Stye
In Sunny's case, I opted to start with warm compresses and OTC eye washes at home, since her stye on dog's eye wasn't too severe. But I still made an appointment with her vet to get things checked out.
It's always best to err on the side of caution with dog eye styes. Sometimes styes can mimic more serious conditions like tumors, lid defects, or glaucoma. An accurate diagnosis is key to proper treatment.
Make sure to contact your vet if:
- The stye is very large, painful, or affecting vision
- The entire eye area is swollen
- Symptoms don't improve after a few days of home care
- Your dog gets recurrent eye styes
- There is colored discharge or other worrying symptoms
Your vet will do a thorough eye exam and may take samples to check for bacteria or other issues. Caught and treated early, most dog eye styes clear up completely within 1-2 weeks with no lasting effects.
Preventing Dog Eye Styes
While not all dog styes can be prevented, there are steps you can take to promote your dog's eye health:
- Keep fur trimmed around the eyes to minimize irritation
- Clean gunk and crust from eyes and lids daily
- Manage any underlying eye allergies or health conditions
- Use an E-collar to stop rubbing and scratching behaviors
- Visit the vet at first sign of eye discomfort
With Sunny, I've realized her seasonal allergies were probably a big factor in allowing that stye in dog's eye to form. So I'm being extra vigilant about keeping her eyes clean, using her allergy drops, and watching for early symptoms. So far, no repeat styes!
The Bottom Line on Dog Eye Styes
So, can dogs get styes? Absolutely. And now I know firsthand what a stye on dog's eye looks like. Those dog stye pictures I found when searching "pictures of a stye in a dog's eye" were spot-on.
If you suspect your dog has an eye stye, try not to panic. While they look nasty, most styes respond well to simple at-home care and clear up without complications. But it's still best to loop in your vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
With a little TLC, your pup will be back to bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in no time! At least, that was certainly the case with my sweet Sunny. Here's to healthy dog eyes!