Red Eyes in Cold Weather

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

So, Tenley is 1 year old. We got him last December. He is from Florida, and we live in Washington, DC. It is cold and windy here, and we battled constant eye infections all winter. His eyes would always be irritated in the cold, but when the wind struck that was it... he would get an infection within 24 hours. I cleaned his eyes once a day with saline, and that helped some but it was putting a band-aid on it rather than treating it. If he had an infection, we put the antibiotic drops in too.

They eye infections (and all eye discharge) went completely away all summer. Now, we have our typical mix of fall weather. Some cold & windy days, some warm & sunny days. On the cold and windy days, his eyes flare up and he's already had one infection. On the warm & sunny days, he is totally fine. I think what is happening is that the cold either hurts or irritates his eyes, they get itchy, and he rubs them and gets other stuff in them, which infects them.

Short of moving down south, is there anything that can be done for poor Tenley's eyes? He is an ALD and has cocker in him so he also has slightly droopier bottom eye lids already (NOTHING like a typical spaniel, but I wouldn't call them firm like a lab's). I am not keen on just putting antibiotics in his eyes every day. Appreciate any and all ideas. Is there some sort of moisturizing non-antibiotic drop I can put in his eyes before and after we go outside?

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

I agree it is important to be medically sure of the difference between an actual bacterial infection and viral/allergy/irritation. I would not want to use antibiotics unnecessarily either. If he is clear of bacterial infection, I would try Refresh eye drops. They are great (I use them) and vet approved (but check with your vet, too!). Warm, moist eye pad cotton squares seem to feel good to Rip. Keep him well hydrated. Wipe his paws and face when you re-enter the house. Another thought, if you haven't already, you may consider keeping his head inside the car window. They love the wind, but it could add to his irritation! Hope Tenley is feeling good soon! :-)

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

Thanks. I will have to look into the Refresh eye drops. We already wipe his feet when he comes in, I'll have to start with his face, too. 

Tenley doesn't stick his head out the window in the car but I'm sure we would have a big problem if he did!

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Lucky! It breaks my heart to roll up the window on Rip :). Hey, also thought to wash bedding more freq. I know, just what you wanted to hear, right? But, I did this especially for my older son who has allergies/asthma during these seasons. Makes me want to move to Cali! Sun AND less laundry!!

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

We have a leather couch and I change the human bed sheets every 2 days because I'm neurotic about cleanliness, so that part we don't have to worry about so much. He doesn't like anything on the tray in his crate so no bedding there. 

For awhile I thought he kept getting them because he shoves his head in between the pillow and the headboard when sleeping at night, but he did that all summer too and didn't have red eyes at all.

I hear you about moving to a warmer climate. If this continues we may be doing just that!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I feel pretty certain that this isn't allergies. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

What about goggles?
http://shop.doggles.com/dog/eyewear

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Now I've seen it all, lol!

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

A friend of mine bought these for Mel as a joke. Mel loves to wear them. Mel's are too big on Tenley, but it may actually be worth trying out a smaller pair on him. I'm sure I could train him to rock them!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Kate have you talked to the vet about this? There are Rx eye drops for dry eyes that are not antibiotics. But I think it's important to be sure of what you are dealing with. There is a genetic "dry eye" disease (KCS) that is common in Cocker Spaniels (both American and English) and also runs in Miniature Poodles.  I don't want to worry you, but you do need to rule that out, because if it isn't treated, the cornea becomes thickened and scarred, and blindness results. There is a simple diagnostic test for KCS. It is treated with cyclosporine eye drops, like Restasis in humans. I would talk to the vet about this. 

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

We have talked to the vet last winter multiple times, I have a call into her this morning as well. She isn't in today but is going to call me back at noon to discuss.

I haven't heard of KCS, but I will read about it and ask our vet. The thing is, his eyes were picture-perfect all summer long. Zero redness and a normal, very minimal amount of discharge. And if we have a warmer day or a day without wind, he will have no problems at all. But the second the wind hits, they turn red. I took a picture on Saturday night I will try to figure out how to attach here. I've started taking him out to use the bathroom on the side of our building where there is a sheltered area with no wind and he does much better then. But if we go for a walk and he's exposed to the wind, that's when he has trouble. The wind alone won't cause the infection, it just causes redness. But if he rubs them on the carpet or with his paws, he will get an infection from that occasionally. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

With KCS, (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) the eyes do not produce enough tears. In mild cases, the tear production may be adequate under favorable conditions, but under conditions that require more tear production (wind would be an example), the eyes can't protect themselves and you get the symptoms Tenley is experiencing. There is also a related disease called Exposure Keratopathy Syndrome, in which symptoms only appear under conditions that irritate the eyes. The links I've provided contain some info. 

When the vet calls back, you might mention KCS. 

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

Very interesting and great info, as always. Thanks. I will definitely bring this up to her.