Conjunctivitis in Dogs

Conjunctivitis in dogs is no different than the one which affects human beings. As you know, this ailment refers to a condition wherein the transparent lubricating mucous membrane that covers the eyeball and the undersurface of the eyelid, known as conjunctiva, suffers from inflammation. Conjunctivitis is also known as pink eye as the affected eyes bear a red or pink cast. This appearance is due to the inflammation which gives a more prominence look to the blood vessels. Causes of this common eye problem in dogs are viral or bacterial infections, corneal diseases, infections of the eyelids, issues of the tear ducts, parasites harboring the eyelids or conjunctiva or some foreign substances like fibers, sand, chemicals, etc. Allergies, trauma and certain kinds of skin disorders may also trigger conjunctivitis in canines. While these are known to be the common causes, in some cases, the condition may have no known causes.

Symptoms

Symptoms that might indicate that your dog has contracted conjunctivitis include swelling and redness of the white of the eyes, discharge from the eyes which may be watery or pus-filled, excessive blinking and rubbing of the eyes with paws. It is obvious that your pet would not be able to give you a clear communication of the discomfort it is undergoing. So, it is you who must watch out for all such symptoms and take care of things as early as possible.

Treatment

The treatment is centered around managing the symptoms and the underlying cause of the condition as well. The first thing to be done is a thorough irrigation of the eyes in order to get rid of any foreign substances. If any disorder of the tear ducts is a cause of the problem, then your dog would be put on medicines prescribed by a vet. Medicines are also required in cases of infection of the eyelids. However, if it does not respond well, then in most cases, surgery is an option. Conjunctivitis may risk of a secondary bacterial infection in your pet. To counter this problem your pet might be put on a course of antibacterial eye ointment. To deal with the inflammation of the conjunctiva, anti-inflammatory medicines are administered.

If you notice any of the symptoms described above, wash your dog's eyes with a sterile eye irrigation solution. Make the solution lukewarm before using it. You can also use a clean wash cloth, soaked in lukewarm water for cleaning the corners of the eyes. In this way you can clean away the excess discharge that has accumulated in the eyes and any foreign objects too. If you notice something that appears to have gotten stuck in your dog's eye, it would be wise to call for a vet, instead of taking matters in your own hands.