Is there anything I can use to clean my dogs eyes? They're just a tiny bit gunky. I don't want to go running off to the vet for antibiotics drops - they're not bloodshot or anything.
Can I use Optrex?
Is there anything alternativey I can use?
I know not to take a risk with eyes but is there anything I can use to stop a slightly gunky eye turning into a really gunky one?
Elizabeth Green, Hants
Some dogs do seem to be more prone to this than others, don't they! For many years I have used homoeopathic Euphrasia (which is the herb Eyebright) with great success. It was first recommended to me by the homoeopathic vet to whom my conventional vet referred me when he ran out of options for treating my pup for an eye infection, and it's brilliant stuff!
ReplyDeleteYou need to order it as a mother tincture from a homoeopathic pharmacy - I use Weleda, who offer a good service. You just add a couple of drops to an eggcupful of cooled boiled water and bathe the eyes gently with cotton wool - obviously a clean piece for each eye.
I have been advised that Optrex is safe to use on dogs but prefer the Euphrasia option myself!
If they are just a bit gunky & not infected I know of several people who swear by bathing their dogs' eyes with cold teabags.
ReplyDeleteI've bought some Euphrasia, but the instructions state 3 drops in an 'eye bath' which isn't particularly specific..! What volume of drops to water should I use?
ReplyDeleteI use teabags sometimes, if caught early enough, it can help to clear the eye up. If its gone beyond that I use Golden eye ointment or Brolene eye drops from the chemist :-)
ReplyDeleteAs one of previous comments says "some dogs seem to be more prone than others" But there is s readon for this. Discharge from the eyes (and other orifices - vulva, prepuce,ears)is a sign of excess of waste matter in the system as a whole. This is usually caused by an incorrect diet, usually low quality food which is high in fat, protein and impurities. As all food generates waste products, even overfeeding of a good quality food can be responsible for this excess in the system. The problem is seen most commonly in small breeds. This is probably because they tend to be fed on "luxury" products with high meat and fat content. Also it is hard to appreciate how little food a toy breed needs. My Guide to Natural Health Care explains the numerous possible effects of excess waste products. This can be found at www.burnspet.co.uk in teh section on Petcare
ReplyDeleteAt Burns we have had success with chronic runny eyes using dietary management and we have a team of nutrition advisors for this purpose.
John Burns BVMS MRCVS
Burns Pet Nutrition
Re the Euphrasia, think of about an eggcupful for your three drops. Don't worry about an exact measure!
ReplyDelete