bloodshot eyes

Question
Hi, I have a St.Bernard puppy of 8 months old and I'm a little concerned about his bloodshot eyes?  Is this a standard with St.Bernad breed?  Thank you for your help

Answer
Hi Michelle,

If your puppy has red eyes, they might be a little irritated. Try flushing his eyes with a sterile saline solution, the same kind used by contact lens wearers.

If the redness continues, have your vet examine your puppy's eyes to rule out a possible problem such as a scratched eye, something trapped in his eyelid, allergies, high blood pressure, or glaucoma.

St. Bernard breed are prone to two eye disorders, called entropion and ectropion. Entropion and ectropion are conditions that involve the eyelids. With an entropion the eyelids roll inward and rub against the cornea of the eye. This can cause a great deal of discomfort for the dog. Ectropion is the opposite of entropion, the eyelids droop exposing the cornea. With both conditions, symptoms include red or inflamed eyes, possibly including excessive tearing. So you'll want your vet to rule out these conditions because untreated, these conditions can effect the general health of the eyes.


Best of luck,

Patti