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🐕🐈 Dogs & Cats
Eye Discharge in Pets
Some clear tear discharge is normal in pets, but colored (yellow, green, or brown) discharge, squinting, or redness can indicate infection, injury, or underlying disease. Eye problems can deteriorate quickly, so timely assessment matters.
Use the Interactive Triage Tool
Answer a few quick questions to assess urgency for your pet's specific situation.
🚨 Seek Emergency Care Immediately If:
- ! Eye bulging or visibly swollen
- ! Sudden blindness or bumping into things
- ! Eye appears cloudy or blue
- ! Foreign object visible in the eye
- ! Eye injury from trauma
ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 · Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
When to See Your Vet
- !Yellow or green discharge
- !Squinting or holding eye closed
- !Eye redness lasting more than 24 hours
- !Any sudden change in eye appearance
- !Discharge in only one eye (more likely to be injury/infection)
Home Monitoring & Care
- ✓Gently clean discharge with warm, damp cotton ball (one per eye)
- ✓Never use human eye drops without vet guidance
- ✓Monitor for color changes in discharge
- ✓Prevent scratching with an e-collar if your pet is pawing at the eye
Common Causes
AllergiesConjunctivitis (bacterial or viral)Corneal ulcerDry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)Foreign bodyBlocked tear ductGlaucomaEntropion (eyelid rolling inward)
Related Tools & Guides
Disclaimer:This guide is for educational purposes only. It does not replace professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian for your pet's specific health concerns.