Bulging eyes is considered a medical emergency. If you notice your dog’s eyes are bulging or swelling or have changed position, contact your vet immediately.

Bulging eyes in dogs occur when one or both eyeballs appear enlarged, or when normal-sized eyes protrude abnormally from the socket. This is a veterinary emergency, as some causes can rapidly lead to vision loss if not treated promptly.

Bulging may affect one or both eyes, sometimes unevenly. The altered appearance may result from changes in the size or position of the affected eye(s). Common causes include trauma or serious eye conditions, such as glaucoma or retrobulbar disease (problems behind the eye). A prompt veterinary examination is essential to identify the cause and to prevent pain or permanent vision loss.

What to do if your dog has bulging eyes

• Cover the eye with a wet and clean cloth for protection. 

• Take your dog immediately to a vet.

Why does your dog have bulging eyes

There are multiple reasons why one or both eyes may appear to bulge.

• Trauma to the globe (eyeball) or surrounding structures causing the eye to move out of the orbit (eye socket)

• Bleeding in the eye socket, behind the eye (retrobulbar), pushing the eye forward

• Retrobulbar abscess: An abscess behind the eye

• Glaucoma: Increase in pressure inside the eye 

• Tumour: Affecting tissues inside or behind the eye

When to contact your vet

Call a vet if your dog shows any of the following signs:

• Swollen eye

• Squinting

• Inability to blink

• Redness of the eye

• Reluctance to open the affected eye or pawing at the face

• Clear evidence of pain - subdued, head pressing, whining.

• Sudden inability to see

• Struggling to eat or drink

Speak to our Joii vets if:

• Your dog’s eyes look different

• You have a blind dog and need help adjusting to their environment

• If you need help applying or giving medication

How to prevent bulging eyes in your dog

Not all causes of bulging eye problems can be prevented. But there are ways to prevent the trauma or injury that may cause the problem. 

• Exercise caution when exercising your dog in areas with long and dry grasses (foreign body risk). 

• Use harnesses instead of collars on short-faced breed dogs (brachycephalic).

• Speak to your vet as soon as you see any squinting, redness or discharge from their eye. 

Outlook is more favourable with prompt veterinary diagnosis and treatment.

What to look out for

Other symptoms of eye problems often include:

• Pawing at the face

• A very red eye

• Rupture of the eye (has a hole, looks deflated, is leaking)

• Unable to completely close eyelid

• Pain opening the mouth

• Cloudy eye

• Dilated pupil

• Reduced vision

How to help at home

After your vet has examined your dog, follow their advice closely. Key measures include:

• Keep the buster collar on at all times to prevent further injury.

• Ensure your dog can eat and drink normally.

• Monitor for any eye discharge.

• Watch for difficulty or inability to fully blink.

Vet treatments for bulging eyes in dogs

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. 

• Medication to be taken by mouth and/or as eye drops: such as anti-inflammatory medicines, antibiotics, and medication to reduce pressure inside the eye.

• Surgery: For example, draining pus from behind the eye, replacing a prolapsed eyeball (trauma), removing a blind and painful eye, removing a tumour or foreign body.

• Cancer treatments: where indicated.

Are some dogs more at risk of bulging eyes than others?

• Flat-faced dogs (brachycephalic breeds) have a higher risk of bulging eyes. Their shorter face and shallow eye sockets make their eyes more prominent, exposed and vulnerable to trauma.

• Multiple medical issues are associated with brachycephalic facial shape: dry eyes, keratitis (corneal inflammation), eye ulcers, and severe bulging (proptosis) with minimal head trauma.

• Dogs who exercise off lead have a greater risk of traumatic injury (road collisions, falls) and foreign bodies in or behind the eye.