Conjunctivitis in dogs

Like humans, dogs can also suffer from conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye. It makes your dog’s eyes red and inflamed, which hurts and occasionally results in discharge. Early detection is crucial because untreated cases may progress to more severe eye issues.

Your dog may be squinting or rubbing their face more than usual because they are irritated. Sometimes, you’ll see thick or watery mucus oozing from their eyes. All of these indicate that something isn’t quite right, and conjunctivitis may be the cause.

Thankfully, conjunctivitis is typically manageable with a veterinarian’s assistance. They will determine the underlying cause, which could be anything from an infection to allergies, and then recommend the necessary course of action. Your dog can quickly return to their normal, happy self with the correct care.

Dogs that have conjunctivitis frequently experience redness, swelling, and irritation in their eyes. If untreated, it can result in more severe issues and be brought on by allergies, infections, or foreign particles. Preventing complications requires early recognition of symptoms like excessive tearing or discharge. In order to identify the cause and guarantee appropriate care, a veterinarian should always be consulted. Treatment usually consists of cleaning the eyes and administering prescribed medications.

Causes

In dogs, conjunctivitis can occur as a standalone condition or as a sign of another illness. Furthermore, it’s critical to identify the precise cause of your pet’s conjunctival inflammation. It is hard to select a successful course of treatment without a precise diagnosis. Now let’s examine the primary causes of canine conjunctivitis.

Allergy

More cases of allergic conjunctivitis are reported than others. Dogs can develop allergies to various items such as food, medications, shampoos, helminths, insect stings, and more. The animal not only gets conjunctivitis but also dermatitis, swelling, hair loss, and itching. As the pet heals quickly, it is worthwhile to eliminate the allergens and use symptomatic therapy (antihistamines).

Trichiasis (growth of eyelashes not outward, but under the eyelid)

This also takes place. The disease causes the animal’s eyelashes to grow inward, toward the cornea and conjunctiva on the eyelids. This type of conjunctivitis is caused by mechanical means (rubbing of the eyelashes).

The only thing that will help is surgery. Neglected pets may develop persistent keratitis and conjunctivitis, which could lead to blindness. Just picture how excruciating it must be for a dog to have sharp eyelashes rubbing against its cornea and conjunctiva with every blink. It’s not only uncomfortable, but extremely painful.

Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea)

A disease frequently spreads to another. Eye inflammation "moves" swiftly from the cornea to the conjunctiva and vice versa. As a result, the veterinarian will diagnose keratoconjunctivitis—or alter the diagnosis—very promptly if the pet has conjunctivitis or keratitis. In order to minimize complications, it is imperative that therapy begin as soon as possible.

Follicular conjunctivitis

Many times, this kind of illness is chronic. Follicular conjunctivitis in dogs is frequently brought on by inadequate or nonexistent medical care for other ailments.

The lymph nodes inside the eyelids are impacted by the illness. The nodes can grow to the point where the eyelid literally turns outward if the pathology is ignored. To put it mildly, the sight is unpleasant. Furthermore, the animal itself is not happy with the way things are right now.

The dog’s strongly everted eyelid makes blinking painful, and there’s a persistent, frequently purulent discharge coming from the eyes. Follicular conjunctivitis frequently results in a protruding third eyelid, which causes the animal additional suffering. Veterinarian care for the dog’s keratitis must be provided immediately; otherwise, the animal may lose one of its eyes.

After all, the cornea is damaged by enlarged lymph nodes, which has a negative impact on the animal’s vision. Over time, this pathology may progress. One can only speculate about the feelings of dogs who do not receive proper medical attention.

A dry form of follicular conjunctivitis may develop as a result of ongoing irritation. Thin keratinized scales on the cornea’s surface are indicative of this kind of disease in dogs.

Antibiotics are used in standard drops for the treatment of canine conjunctivitis. However, the follicular form of conjunctivitis is challenging to treat. Furthermore, it is improbable that even the most accomplished experts in the field of eye disorders can ensure a favorable outcome. In any event, though, you ought to accept veterinary care.

Purulent conjunctivitis

The dog’s conjunctivitis is brought on by streptococcus and staphylococcus, two pathogenic aerobic bacteria. The bacteria are dormant when the animal is healthy, but they become active when the conjunctiva is injured. Therefore, allergic or follicular diseases frequently result in purulent conjunctivitis in dogs.

The mucous membrane of the eye is irritated by bacteria, resulting in the development of multiple purulent discharges. The following are other signs of purulent conjunctivitis:

• photophobia;
• pain;
• increased eyelid temperature.

Other causes of conjunctivitis in dogs

Among the disease’s additional causes are:

• Mechanical damage. If a foreign body (hard) gets into the eye, then scratches appear on the conjunctiva and cornea, which become a gateway for infection for bacteria. Because of this, the animal develops serious inflammation. If you notice in time that something is “stuck” in the eye, rinse it, then conjunctivitis can be avoided.
• Burn (thermal, chemical and others). Our four-legged friends can stick their muzzle anywhere. They are very curious whiskers by nature. That is why they can often climb into a can of paint or other caustic substance (vapors are especially dangerous). Chemicals can also get into their eyes. A dog has no place in the kitchen at all! there are too many dangers there.
• Draft. Strong wind, being in a draft can cause inflammation of the conjunctiva. Surely, you remember how your eye starts to water if you are outside in very windy weather or if you catch a cold. Dogs also get colds. And conjunctivitis can be a symptom of it.
• Infectious diseases. Almost all infectious diseases are accompanied by reaction from the eyes. This is due to the fact that the animal"s immunity is weakened, and bacteria with viruses are carried with the bloodstream and lymph throughout the body.
• Fungal infection. Fungi can also provoke the development of conjunctivitis. They are more difficult to remove than bacteria, since it is necessary to use fungicidal drugs for a long course.

Symptoms

What are the most typical signs of dog conjunctivitis?

• Redness of the eyes (not only the mucous membrane of the eyelids, but also the vessels on the white "part of the eye" burst).
• Excessive lacrimation. Not necessarily from both eyes. If the conjunctiva is inflamed in one eye, then tears will flow only from that eye.
• Fear of light. Due to the inflammatory process, the pet is afraid of bright light, closes its eyes when it goes outside or goes into the light.
• Discharge (catarrhal, mucous or purulent) begins to appear in the inner corner of the eye. Over time, the pet cannot even open its eye, because the eyelids are stuck together with dried discharge.
• Body temperature may rise (especially if the dog"s conjunctivitis developed due to some infection).
• Lethargy, weakness, zero appetite. The dog is in practically no mood. The pet does not want to play or go for a walk. Tries to hide in a corner far away and darker.

Examples of dogs in the picture with conjunctivitis:

Treatment

How can I treat my dog’s conjunctivitis at home? Later on, we will discuss this, but for now, keep in mind the most important guideline: never treat someone yourself! It’s possible to misdiagnose the dog and begin treating it for something else, which would hurt it even more.

Conjunctivitis in dogs should be treated by first verifying the diagnosis and figuring out what caused the inflammatory process. It is impossible to recommend a treatment that is actually effective without this. The easiest steps for at-home therapy are:

• This is wiping the inner corners of the eyes with clean gauze (rolled or folded in several layers), soaked in boiled warm water, herbal decoction (chamomile, for example). Some decide to wipe their eyes with strong black non-fruit tea (without sugar)!.
• Be sure to take care of your pet. Keep walks outside to a minimum so that wind, dust and sun rays do not disturb your pet. Improve the conditions at home: find a warm corner for your pet where there is no draft and it is clean.

First things first, for owners? Run to the drugstore, grab some tetracycline eye ointment, and cross your fingers that their four-legged friend’s conjunctivitis will disappear. But this ointment usually just masks the symptoms. Stronger antibiotics are frequently required, and they must be injected intramuscularly for a minimum of five days! Immunostimulants and antiviral medications might also be necessary (particularly if a viral illness is the source of the inflammation).

Don’t overlook the use of ointments and drops for local therapy. Kanamycin, sodium sulfate, chloramphenicol (use caution around infants and expectant mothers), and the well-known drops known as Diamond Eyes. But keep in mind that all prescriptions are only given following a veterinarian’s in-person examination of the animal! What specifically, in what dosage, and for how long should be prescribed is only a doctor’s decision.

Place a special protective collar around the whiskered dog’s neck to keep it from hurting itself by attempting to scratch its inflamed eye.

Suggestions for correctly administering drops to your dog’s eyes:

Dogs frequently suffer from conjunctivitis, which can irritate, discomfort, and cause redness in the eyes. To stop the illness from getting worse, it’s critical for dog owners to identify the symptoms as soon as possible and seek appropriate medical attention.

One of the most important ways to avoid conjunctivitis in your dog is to keep their eyes clear and unirritated. Keeping the environment clean and scheduling routine veterinary examinations can help lower the risk of infection.

It’s best to speak with a veterinarian if your dog exhibits any symptoms, such as red eyes, excessive tearing, or frequent pawing at their eyes. Early intervention can have a significant impact on your dog’s comfort and healing.

Even when your dog has eye problems like conjunctivitis, you can make sure they stay happy and healthy by being vigilant and acting quickly.

Video on the topic

Diseases of the conjunctiva and third eyelid. Boyarinov Sergey #ubvk_ophthalmology

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