English bulldogs should have eyes that are bright, clear and shiny, with no yellow tint. Additionally, the eyelid lining should be pink, free of swelling or discharge. Because this breed is prone to numerous health issues, daily care of your dog's eyes can clue you in to brewing problems.
Step 1
Clean your dog's tear stains several times a week to avoid infections that could spread to the eye. Wet a cotton ball with sterile eye wash and gently rub it in the folds around your bulldog's eyes to clean dried discharge. Repeat with additional cotton balls as necessary until the area is clean. Dip a cotton swab in cornstarch and rub it gently in the bulldog's folds around the eye to remove any moisture and prevent a buildup of moisture.
Step 2
Look for signs of allergies, which can be indicated by runny eyes. This breed frequently suffers allergies from direct contact with an allergen, food, fleas or airborne irritants. See your veterinarian to determine the cause and a proper course of treatment.
Step 3
Watch your English bulldog for "cherry eye." This commonly occurs in puppies when a tear gland bulges out, looking like a red cherry. However, it can occur in dogs of any age from allergies or eye trauma, as well. When caught early, it can usually be massaged back into place with an eye lubricant. Untreated, it becomes swollen and infected and may need surgical intervention.
Step 4
Examine your bulldog's eyes in the morning for "dry eye," which occurs when the eyes are not producing enough tears. A green discharge is usually present, and a hazy blue film can appear on the eyeball. Your veterinarian can perform a simple blotting test to verify the problem, and he might prescribe artificial tears to apply daily.
Step 5
Flush your bulldog's eye with a sterile wash if he develops conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation that causes red, runny eyes, discharge and a desire to scratch at them. It could be caused by an infection, an irritant or an allergen, so see your veterinarian to rule out the cause and obtain a prescription for an antibiotic cream.
Step 6
Ask your veterinarian to look at any unusual marks on your English bulldog's cornea. While a blue haze can indicate dry eyes, it can also indicate an ulcerated cornea from a continued irritation. Untreated, your dog could become blind and even lose his eye.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
References
Resources
Tips
- Use sterile eye wash instead of hydrogen peroxide around your dog's eyes to avoid injury if the liquid comes into contact with his eyes.
Warnings
- Do not leave conjunctivitis untreated; repeated infections can cause the eyeball to retract or the eyelids to turn inward, causing pain and loss of vision.
Writer Bio
Lori Lapierre holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science in public relations/communications. For 17 years, she worked for a Fortune 500 company before purchasing a business and starting a family. She is a regular freelancer for "Living Light News," an award-winning national publication. Her past writing experience includes school news reporting, church drama, in-house business articles and a self-published mystery, "Duty Free Murder."