Dog eye infection represents a common canine medical problem that usually affects the conjunctiva. Any unusual dog eye discharge should prompt you to take your dog to a veterinarian, in order to have a proper treatment prescribed. Canine conjunctivitis, which is also known as dog red eye, is the most frequent type of eye infection, but there are several other types:
- Uveitis
- Scleritis
- Cherry eye
- Keratitis
Since these medical conditions affect different areas of the eye, the treatment also differs from one type of infection to the other.
Causes of Canine Eye Infection
There are many factors that may lead to the inflammation of the eye. Some of the most common include:
- Viruses such as the herpes virus
- Bacteria
- Allergic reactions
- Chronic irritation
- Lyme disease
Exposing your dog to wind, dust or chemical substances may also lead to an eye infection.
Symptoms of Dog Eye Infection
Depending on the type of eye infection your dog has, the symptoms may vary. However, the following signs are common to most canine eye inflammations:
- Dog eye discharge
- Swollen and red eyes
- Squinting
- Tearing
- Frequent blinking
- Bloodshot eyes
In many cases, the dog will indicate that he has a problem by pawing the eye. In such situations you need to see what is the issue and if any of the symptoms indicate an eye infection you need to take him to the veterinarian. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the vet will decide which treatment is the most adequate for your dog.
Treatment Options
As mentioned before, treatment options depend very much on the area of the eye that is infected. Cherry eye, for example, requires surgical interventions as typical treatment, but the other types of canine eye infection are less dangerous and can be treated with medication.
Conjunctivitis, for example, is often treated with antibiotics, in the form of eye drops. In order to treat a health problem, you need to identify the underlying causes. If dog conjunctivitis appeared as a result of an allergic reaction, allergy medication will most likely be prescribed for your dog. Oral antibiotics are particularly recommended if the dog eye infection was caused by viruses or bacteria. Eye ointments that contain antibiotics are another viable option, provided that the symptoms are not very grave.
Warm, damp compresses can also improve the symptoms of your dog. Applying such a compress for 5 minutes and rinsing thoroughly afterwards will sooth the sensation of pain.
Dogs that have long hair need to be groomed in order to prevent canine eye infection. Long hair around the eyes can easily cause irritations.
Cherry eye, which is a more serious type of eye infection, requires a surgical intervention. Since this particular type of inflammation is caused by dislocated tear gland. The surgical procedure is rather simple and implies the relocation of the tear gland.
Keep in mind that certain dog breeds are predisposed to various types of eye infection. For example, cherry eye is one of the characteristic diseases of Boston Terrier and Lhasa Apso. On the other hand, some canine eye infections can be transmitted from one generation to another, so you need to check the medical history of the parents when buying a puppy.