Why Is There A Thick Red Vein In My Dogs Eye ?

Have you ever wondered what exactly is going on with your dog’s eyes?

Contents show

Well, there are many things that happen inside the eye that we don’t think much about or consider important.

However, when they go wrong, they pose quite an issue.

Why Is There A Thick Red Vein In My Dogs Eye

What causes a thick red vein in your dog’s eye?

The thick red veins in dogs eyes occur as a result of the eye having been damaged by disease.

This damage can be caused by injury to the eye such as a blow to the head or any sharp object being inserted into the eye.

Sometimes, the thick red vein in your dog’s eye will appear after a cataract operation.

Cataracts are clouded lenses that cause blurred vision.

Cataracts can also develop in older dogs and may lead to blindness if left untreated.

If you notice anything unusual with your dog’s eyes, it would be wise to have them checked out by a veterinary ophthalmologist.

A thick red vein in your dog’s eye is usually harmless but sometimes it can be a sign of a more serious condition that needs medical attention.

What does a thick red vein in your dog’s eye mean?

A thick red vein in your dog’s eye means that something has gone wrong with the eye itself.

The thick red vein can indicate a problem with the retina, optic nerve, or choroid.

These parts of the eye are responsible for sight and color perception.

If the thick red vein in your dog’s eye is accompanied by symptoms such as pain, loss of vision, or decreased movement in the eye, then you should visit a veterinarian immediately.

Why do dogs get a thick red vein in their eye?

There are several reasons why your dog might have a thick red vein in his/her eye.

They include:

Blow to the head
Sudden trauma to the eye
Inflammation of the eye
Eye infection
Laser surgery
Cataracts

Is my dog blind because of a thick red vein in their eye?

No.

A thick red vein in your dog’s eye is not a sign of blindness.

Your dog could still be able to see even though he/she has a thick red vein in his/her eye.

What happens if I leave a thick red vein in my dog’s eye untreated?

Left untreated, the thick red vein in your dog’s eye could worsen.

Eventually, the vein will become so large that it will block the flow of blood to the retina.

This can cause vision problems, including blindness.

How can you treat a thick red vein in your dog’s eye?

If you have noticed a thick red vein in your dogs eye, then it could mean that something is not right with his vision.

This may be because there is an infection, inflammation, or even cancer.

If this is the case, then it is best to consult your vet as soon as possible so that they can diagnose the problem.

A thick red vein in your dogs eye should never be ignored.

Although it may seem like just another annoying condition for your pet, it can actually cause serious damage if left untreated.

So, how do you know if there is anything wrong with your dogs eyes?

There are a few signs that will show if there is something wrong with your dogs eyes.

Your dog has difficulty seeing out of his eyes.
He keeps rubbing his eyes.
His pupils look dilated.
He is having trouble focusing.
He doesn’t want to eat.
He is constantly sniffing around.
He appears lethargic.
He seems disorientated.

Is your dog suffering from glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerve and can lead to blindness.

Glaucoma is caused by fluid buildup in the eye which leads to pressure within the eyeball.

This pressure forces the blood vessels into the front of the eye.

If these vessels become blocked, then there is a greater risk of developing glaucoma.

The most common sign of glaucoma is that your dog will start rubbing his eyes.

He may also experience pain behind his eyes, headaches, and excessive tearing.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, then he needs to visit his vet immediately.

Should you be worried about a thick red vein in your dog’s eye?

A thick red vein in your dog’s eye is usually caused by something irritating the retina.

This irritation leads to inflammation which causes the blood vessels to swell up.

This swelling then creates a red vein within the eye.

It’s important to note that this vein doesn’t affect vision – it just means your pet has some irritation in his or her eye.

While this may sound like a minor problem, it can lead to more serious issues if left untreated.

What Causes a Thicker Red Vein in Your Dog’s Eye?

Your dog’s eyes will always have small blood vessels running through them.

These blood vessels help ensure oxygenated blood reaches the different parts of the eye.

If these blood vessels become blocked, they can cause problems for your pet.

The most common cause of these blocked blood vessels is trauma.

This could come in the form of being hit by a car, getting into an accident, or even a fall.

Another cause of these blood vessels becoming blocked is allergies.

Many animals suffer from allergies to tree pollen, grasses, molds, dust, etc.

This can cause their blood vessels to become inflamed.

Allergies can also lead to other complications such as skin rashes, sneezing, coughing, etc.

Allergic reactions can also cause the blood vessels in your pet’s eyes to swell up and create a thick red vein.

Still another reason why these blood vessels can get blocked is infections.

An infection can travel to your pet’s eye via a scratch or bite from another animal.

Other infections include viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Finally, medications can also cause your pet’s blood vessels to become blocked.

This can occur if your pet takes certain drugs without consulting you first.

What Are Some Symptoms of a Thick Red Vein in Your Dog’s Eye?

If your dog has a thick red vein in his or her eye, you should take action right away.

Not only does it mean that there’s an underlying problem, but it can also be dangerous.

Some symptoms of a thick red vein in your dog’s eye include:

Redness around the affected area
Pain in the eye
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Swelling of the affected eye
Dry eye
Difficulty blinking
Tearing
Crying
Dilated pupils
Nausea
Headache
Blurred vision

As you can see, a thick red vein in your dog’s eye isn’t something you want to ignore.

You also shouldn’t wait until your pet starts showing signs before taking action.

How can you prevent a thick red vein in your dog’s eye?

A thick red vein in your dog’s eye is known as the central retinal vein.
This vein runs through the middle of the retina, which is the innermost part of the eye.
This vein is responsible for carrying oxygenated blood back to the heart.
The retina is very delicate tissue and if this vein becomes blocked up, then this can seriously affect how well your dog sees.
If the vein gets blocked up, it cannot carry blood back to the heart, so instead it will start to fill up with blood.
This blood will spill into the vitreous humour (the clear jelly-like substance) around the retina.
This blood build-up is known as oedema and it causes swelling around the retina, which can make it difficult for your pet to see.
The thick red veins in your dog’s eye are most common in older dogs.

Conclusion: why a thick red vein in your dog’s eye isn’t as bad as it looks

This is one of those cases where the initial appearance isn’t always accurate.

If you look at your dog’s eye, you may notice that their pupils seem dilated.

This is normal and it happens because of the amount of light entering the eye.

However, if you look closely at the eye, you should be able to spot something unusual.

You may see this as a thick red line running through the whites of the eye.

This is called the central retinal vein.

It is a large vein that carries blood from the retina back to the heart.

It is the largest vein in the body, so its presence shouldn’t come as a surprise!

It is also not uncommon for this vein to become inflamed and swollen.

This is often caused by allergies such as pollen or dust.

When this occurs, it causes the veins to swell up and cause the eye to appear reddened.

However, this doesn’t mean that your dog has conjunctivitis or pink eye.

These conditions are very different from each other and require entirely different treatments.

If you have noticed a thick red vein in your dog’s eye, then here are some ways you can help them.

Author
Recent Posts

Megan Turner

Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.

Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.