Springtime allergies and conjunctivitis?

[Carina43]

I know various allergies generally show up as skin conditions, but last April both Cooper & Daphne got slightly teary eyes. It lasted about a month, then cleared up. Since that's the time I take everyone in for vet checks & HW testing, I asked my vet about it and he said many of his clients mentioned this in the springtime.

Now, April is almost over, and all three Rotties (Phoebe is ancient & doesn't spend much time outside) had somewhat teary eyes for the last few weeks. We were on vacation and had to board Dutch - his eyes are totally fine now; he was inside most of last week. The other two spent most days outside, and their eyes are just starting to get a bit better. No redness, no cloudiness, only a little clear discharge.

Is anyone else seeing this? I have not treated the dogs at all, my vet didn't feel it necessary, & they don't seem bothered by it. But is anyone has some OTC/home remedy they can share, I'd appreciate that too.
Thanks!

[mmgy]

So long as it stays pretty clear-looking, we just tolerate it with Maggie, one of my beagles. Delilah had some tearing this year and last, but same thing, it stayed clear, and dissipated after a month or so.

I think allergies are getting worse for dogs, and humans, in general. Maggie will get it again in the fall, and so will her brother Harry. But Harry doesn't have the springtime version....go figure!

[moondog]

Luna gets a little bit of "goobie" in her eyes, but I think with her it's more diet related because of her intestinal disease. Plus, that discharge is the body's way of rinsing tiny particles of dust, etc out of their eyes, so I don't think a little bit of discharge is a bad thing.

I did have a Springer Spaniel who developed the worst eye goobies when she got up to age 15 or 16. Her eyes were loaded every day, but that still doesn't correspond with springtime allergies that you're referring to. Her problem was old age and a tendency for her tear ducts to not function all that well.

Now that I've completely not helped you at all, :D , what I really wanted to say is that for the Springer, I would make up a sterile eye wash using 1/2 tsp of USP Boric Acid powder to 8 oz of water and boil it for 5-10 minutes. Makes a really soothing eyewash that can be squeezed in using a cotton ball or an eyedropper (I know because I use it on me, too!) :)

[CarolineS]

Dresden's eyes tear quite a bit (her bottom eyelids are a little droopy). She used to get gunk along with the clear stuff. I started to supplement her with evening primrose oil and the gunk disappeared and the tearing was cut by about half. Evening primrose oil might be worth a try and I doubt it would hurt.:)

[LORHEL]

Yes, Makita has this also right now. She has had the tearing, and goop more in the last week or so, don't know if that is because of the springtime, there are alot of things flying in the air now, with alot of flowering trees around us...

She has not been sneezing, which is surprising, so I guess that is good. We had alot of that for a short period, but it is hot and dry in the house, and with a cold winter..

Thanks for the tip on primrose oil, where can we get this?? Is this something at the vet or a GNC type store??

:)

[Carina43]

Ah - thanks Caroline, I'll try the primrose oil. I've seen it even in the "women's health" section in the supermarket, it's currently being touted as some sort of menopausal supplement. Maybe me & the dogs can share it, haha. Also the boric acid tip...I was going to try some "eyebright" from the local HFS too.

Like I said, if last year was an indication, it will start clearing up shortly; they're already getting a bit less gunky. So it's not a big worry or anything, but I imagine their eyes must feel a tiny bit itchy if they're tearing up.

[CarolineS]

I've seen the evening primrose oil at health food stores, drug stores, grocery stores and at Costco.

I didn't know EPO was being touted as a menopausal supplement...being a woman of a certain age myself maybe I should give it a try. ;)

[Carina43]

Primrose oil info:
http://www.fatsforhealth.com/library...mrose_Oil.php3
:)

[sable375]

Sophie has some eye gunk too. My vet recommended 1mg per pound of Benadryl. She also has funky ears b/c of allergies. I give Sophie 75mg twice a day but you can go up to three times a day. Good luck :)

[livertw]

Daisy gets one drop of Bausch & Lomb or Visine moisturizing artificial tears in each eye morning and evening. Be sure it's NOT the allergy or "red out" drops. We have done this Spring and Fall for multiple dogs over the years on the advice of our vet. Works like a charm! :D :p

[MontanaRott]

The pugs have allergies and we deal with this too. Lots of goo, goes green now and again. Artificial tears do work wonders, but make SURE they are preservative free! I have a friend who is an eye surgeon and he stressed that point to me when talking about using them to help the pugs, They tend towards dry eye because of the antihistimines. It has made a huge difference in getting through the allergy season!