Using Benadryl (generic name diphenhydramine) is quite common in canine medicine. The tablets are 25mg (50mg are Rx only) and the customary dosage for allergic response is 2mg/kg orally @8hrs. Quoting from my Veterinary Drug Handbook,"In veterinary medicine, diphendhdramine is used principally for its antihistaminic effects, but also for other pharmacologic actions as well. Its sedative effects can be of benefit in treating the agitation (puritis, etc.) associated with allergic responses. It has also been used for treatment and prevention of motion sickness and as an antiemetic <<motion sickness>> in small animals."

Your vet may recommend another antihistamine but a great many of us here have had success with this one. The pills are quite small and easy to administer in cream cheese or other soft food. I would suggest to you that your adult dog is likely at least 40lbs and you can use the '2tab dose' but if you are hesitant, try using one tab in AM and PM and see if that is enough to provide relief. Some bulldog owners have said that they think the Autumn is worse on airborne allergies than Spring?!!

Elaine, you understood what I was trying to say - the actual eye orb and third eyelid are fine and not red. However, the soft tissue around the eye - above, below, and on the corner nearest the nose - are pink/reddish and swollen. There is also one or two tiny little areas that almost look like acne heads or something (but no pus). He is a white bulldog, which I heard were more susceptible to allergies, and the area I live in (Central CA) seems to be prone to allergies in people. However, I have never seen fleas or ticks on the dog - our climate seems to be not humid enough for them to thrive.

These eye problems are driving me crazy, but it's nice to hear an alternate theory rather than just more Cherry Eye. I appreciate your response and suggestion, but I don't have any Benadryl at home and I think I will just have to take him back to the Dr. this week.

Thanks again for your reponse!

Am I understanding correctly, that the redness and irritation is on the face around the eye opening, but not inside the eye at all (either on the orb or the soft tissue/conjunctiva or third eyelid)?? If this is true, it does sound like some allergic response and while the Neo-Poly-Dex wouldn't have hurt anything, it may not be helping a facial irritation. Try giving a Benedryl tablet tonight and one again tomorrow morning and see if the irritation is better. If this dog has some allergies or sensitivity to something "in the air" it could be rubbing the eye in response to some itching. In that case, some eyedrops specifically for allergies may be in order, or at least rinsing the eye with artificial tears several times a day would give some relief. Remember when using artificial tears, don't substitute lens wetting solutions or anything else...just "artificial tears" in any number of different brands...and when wiping away excess moisture from the face after giving 1-2 drops per eye, remember to not wipe out the moisture from inside the eye. I always give one extra drop after the first 1-2 drops followed by a tissue-wiping...I like to end up with the eye "a little wet".

I look at Mack's eye in your photos - my puppy's is a different problem, I think. It seems like to me that Mack's problem is with the "third eyelid" (or whatever it's called), but luckily, something less than Cherry Eye. My puppy's eyeball and "third eyelid" doesn't seem to have the same type of redness/irritation as Mack's - at least from what I can see. Rather, the problem with my puppy is the actual skin AROUND the eye socket. Mine is a white bulldog, and I think if he had the same dark face coloring as Mack, you would not be able to even see it on him. I'm sure both dogs have similar problems, since they got the same meds, but I share your concern. Please let me know what you hear from your vet.

Hi there! If you scroll down a little on this page you will see "help red eye" I posted some pics of my boys eye. It sounds just like what you are describing. Mack is 1yr and he has had cherry eye in this eye a few times, but it goes right back in on its own right away(after he blinks a few times) so the vet felt surgery was not needed, just eye drops. A few days ago his inner eye skin looked red and swollen so I took him in, no scratch was found and we are using the same drops as you are. He actually looks worse today(after 2 days of drops). The redness and swelling seem to be on the skin inside the lower eyelid and in the corner, but no cherry eye has popped out. My vet thought irritation or maybe an allergy, I think it might be something more b/c he is not responding to the drops. I'm going back to the vet tom. I'll post what they tell me. Let me know if you find anything out as well. Good luck!

Hi there! If you scroll down a little on this page you will see "help red eye" I posted some pics of my boys eye. It sounds just like what you are describing. Mack is 1yr and he has had cherry eye in this eye a few times, but it goes right back in on its own right away(after he blinks a few times) so the vet felt surgery was not needed, just eye drops. A few days ago his inner eye skin looked red and swollen so I took him in, no scratch was found and we are using the same drops as you are. He actually looks worse today(after 2 days of drops). The redness and swelling seem to be on the skin inside the lower eyelid and in the corner, but no cherry eye has popped out. My vet thought irritation or maybe an allergy, I think it might be something more b/c he is not responding to the drops. I'm going back to the vet tom. I'll post what they tell me. Let me know if you find anything out as well. Good luck!