Bulldog eye dialated PLEASE HELP!

I have a 5 year old english bulldog that has had a curious eye infection for a week and a half. I have never had any eye issues from my dog before, so I was very prompt on following up with a vet appointment. This infection started 2 days after my dog had a scrotal ablasion surgery. First, his third eyelid started to cover approximately 1/3 of his eye, becoming reddish over the weekend. That Monday he was at the vet and it was determined he had an ulcer. We underwent treatment for this by giving him anti-bacterial ointment in his affected eye 3 times a day. The ulcer was gone quickly but the irritation and redness perpetuated. So, upon his eye check up, the doctors added a dilation ointment to be used before bed and antiinflammatory eye drops for the irritation (flurbiprofen, 3 times a day), AND we continued the original antibacterial ointment 2 times a day. I only used the dilation ointment once, and my dog's eye is still dialated today (4 days later)! He had a checkup yesterday (3 days after the dilation ointment had been used) and my vet gave little concern to the still dialated eye, simply stating not to be too concerned, it should go back to normal (possibly and idiopathic case of horner's). ***it should be noted that a full blood panel, eye pressure tests, tear production tests, thorough eye exam (no object or debris visible in eye), etc., have all been done for my dog and have all come back normal. He also is not too bothered when you go around his eye, but clenches his eye really hard any time we give him eye medicine.*** My dog is still perfectly happy, eating well, and wants to play more than I'm allowing him to right now. He is of good weight and eats organic dog food. I love my dogs dearly and want to get him the most immediate relief possible. If you can help me figure out why my dog's eye infection seems slow to heal and, more importantly, why his eye is still dialated (and what I should do!!!), PLEASE send me a speedy response.

I know in people, the speed at which an eye returns to normal after getting dilated varies widely. I am very nearsighted, and so every other year, the doctor want top dilate my pupils and check everything out. I hate it, and complained bitterly every time, as it takes literally hours for my eyes to get back to normal, and in the meantime, I am pretty useless. And I do mean hours - like 8 or so, i usually gave up and went to bed, and by the next morning - 12 or more hours after the dilation, they were finally back to normal.

So being married to me for so long, when they finally wanted to dilate my husband's eye to check when he got his very first pair of glasses (for driving only), he was understandably trepidatious. Well, his eyes returned top normal within 5 minutes. He came home laughing.

Having a dilated pupil doesn't hurt, I promise. I should know. And your bully isn't gonna be worried about being able to read or use a computer, so it's fine. Just keep him out of bright sunlight for extended periods for the time being, as it lets in more light and can be annoying.

Bulldogs are known for having eye problems, due to the shape of their head and eye sockets. Just be careful and consistent, and hopefully the infection with go away finally as well.

You could try a veterinary opthimologist if there is one in the area. General vets are IMHO about as good as general practitioners for humans. They're good for vaccinations and check ups but don't ask them to go beyond that.

As Karen said, a dilated eye does not hurt, just keep out of bright places. And each person returns to normal at different times.

Follow your vet's instructions, and consider seeing an eye specialist.

Dilated eyes are no worries, just kind of painful if you're exposed to sun. I don't get mine dilated anymore because, like Karen, it takes FOREVER for mine to go back and I usually develop a migraine from it.

My eye doctor told me it takes longer for brown eyes to return to normal, I don't know if that is your case too Karen, but that was mine :p.

I promise your dog will be fine though, just give him some time.

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Originally Posted by Roxyluvsme13

Dilated eyes are no worries, just kind of painful if you're exposed to sun. I don't get mine dilated anymore because, like Karen, it takes FOREVER for mine to go back and I usually develop a migraine from it.

My eye doctor told me it takes longer for brown eyes to return to normal, I don't know if that is your case too Karen, but that was mine :p.

I promise your dog will be fine though, just give him some time.

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It's funny, Bri, my eyes are pale blue/grey, no brown at all. And Paul's eyes are even a little lighter blue than mine! So it is definitely different person-to-person. The last time I went the doc used a much lighter dose of the dilating solution, as she had seen just a year before, so that was nice of her. When you are terribly nearsighted, like I am, they like to dilate it to check for any retina action, as people who are very nearsighted have a higher incidence of retina detaching, which is something I would much rather avoid!

My eyes dilate all the time... :love: :love: :love: :D