Dog conjunctivitis is a condition that affects the eye conjunctiva, which becomes irritated and swollen. The canine conjunctivitis will be signaled by symptoms such as red eyes, thick ocular discharges, excessive production of tears, pawing and scratching of the eye area. In more severe cases, the dog’s eyes may be swollen and he will not be able to open or close his eyes completely. Conjunctivitis may be treated at home using some simple remedies; however, it is important to determine the cause of the conjunctivitis.
Causes of Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis may be caused by several factors; detecting these factors is essential in determining the most suitable type of treatment.
Conjunctivitis may be caused by allergies or may also be caused by canine respiratory infections.
In some cases, the conjunctivitis may occur if the dog has a foreign object stuck in one of his eyes. The object needs to be removed before applying any treatment, as the presence of the object may worsen the condition and may also be dangerous for the pet. Don’t try removing the foreign object yourself, as the dog’s eyes are very sensitive and you may cause additional damage. Consult a vet to remove the foreign object.
Cleaning the Eyes
Before applying any treatment, you will need to clean the eyes from possible discharges and dust or dirt. This can be done using lukewarm water; pour the water on the dog’s eyes. Get a piece of cloth and wipe around the dog’s eyes.
Home Treatment for Conjunctivitis
If the conjunctivitis is mild and no ulceration is present, you can safely treat your pet at home.
The easiest way to clean the eyes and treat the eye irritation is to use distilled water. The distilled water may also be combined with certain herbal tinctures that are made of Euphrasia, Pulsatilla, Calendula, Chamomile, Red clover, St. John’s wort or Sanicula.
Warm up the distilled water, but make sure it is not too hot; add a few drops of tincture and use an eye dropper to rinse the pet’s eyes. The solution may be used 3 to 4 times per day and clean the excess solution around the eyes.
Herbal Tea Compresses
If your dog is not cooperative, you may replace the eye drops with eye compresses; make a herbal tea or soak a compress in distilled water mixed with one of the above mentioned tinctures. Apply the compresses 3 to 4 times per day and hold them on the dog’s eyes 5 to 10 minutes.
If these remedies will not improve the dog’s condition in 2 weeks, you need to get veterinary help.
Vitamins
Vitamins may also help to reduce swelling and irritation. Get vitamin C and E to reduce the inflammation and vitamin A for the cornea. Vitamin A may be found in cod oil as well, so you can apply 1 drop of cod oil per day.
Additional Treatment
The main cause of the conjunctivitis needs to be treated as well to prevent the recurrence of the conjunctivitis; an infection will require antibiotic treatment, while allergies may be managed with antihistamines, corticosteroids or allergy shots.