Spring Time Winds & Eye Discharge
Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist
Grey Mucous can be Managed by Simple Eye Cleaning
Question:
I live in the East Mountains and have a 3-year-old healthy Doberman. Just recently with all of the high winds, I’ve noticed that my dog is getting a white, gooey discharge from her eyes after she wakes up in the mornings. Is this an allergy of some sort? She seems fine and does not paw her eyes or rub her face in the ground. Should I be worried?
Dr. Nichol:
The only good diagnosis is made on physical exam. That said, it is very likely that your dog has eye irritation from small particles of dirt and sand that are blown into her face by our delightful spring winds. An anti-inflammatory eye medication may be necessary but as long as the discharge isn’t green or yellow you can probably stay ahead of it just fine by wiping it away with a clean moist tissue.
We see a lot of this in the spring in New Mexico. Assuming that her eyes, along with the rest of her, are healthy, the discharge should stop when the wind does.
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About the author
Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC is a residency trained veterinary behaviorist whose practice is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of behavior disorders of dogs and cats. With extensive experience in general practice and behavior medicine, he works with pet parents to tailor practical, individualized treatment plans to improve the well-being of pets and their people.
Dr. Nichol regularly writes about the treatment of behavior problems, including anxiety, aggression, fear, separation, house soiling, and other common concerns in companion pets.
