Care guideEmergency

Eye problems (red, weepy or cloudy eyes)

Call your vet as soon as you notice any eye change, since fast care can save sight. Go now if the eye bulges, is injured or is very painful.

Get your dog to a vet as soon as you can

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Key facts

Verdict: Care guide · Emergency: get help now
Call your vet if: Squinting, blinking a lot or keeping an eye shut, yellow, green or bloody discharge, a red or swollen eye or eyelid, a cloudy eye and an eye that bulges forward. All 8
First step: Call your vet now if you notice any change in your dog's eyes. Without prompt treatment, eye problems can lead to blindness. All steps
Sources: PDSA, VCA Urgent Care, AKC. Reviewed 9 October 2026.

What to do

Call your vet now if you notice any change in your dog's eyes. Without prompt treatment, eye problems can lead to blindness.
Go to a vet right away if the eyeball has come forward out of its socket, the eye was badly hurt, or your dog is in a lot of pain.
If your dog keeps getting eye infections, ask your vet to look for a cause, such as dry eye.

Don't

Don't use human eye drops or other medicines unless your vet tells you to.
Don't wait to see if an eye problem clears up on its own.

When to call your vet

Squinting, blinking a lot or keeping an eye shut
Yellow, green or bloody discharge
A red or swollen eye or eyelid
A cloudy eye
An eye that bulges forward
Blood in the eye, or a change in pupil size or shape
Signs your dog can't see well
A red lump in the inner corner, or the third eyelid showing

Why

Infections, ulcers, dry eye, eyelid and eyelash problems, and high pressure inside the eye (glaucoma) can all affect the eyes. Ulcers and glaucoma can cost the eye or its sight if not treated.

Sources

Guide reviewed 9 October 2026. Page updated 7 November 2026.

General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.