How To Treat A Dog Eye Infection At Home

Introduction

As a dog owner, you always want your furry friend to be happy and healthy. A big part of that is making sure they’re not in pain or discomfort. If your dog’s eyes are red, watery, swollen or crusty, he might have an eye infection and require treatment from the veterinarian. Let’s take a look at what could cause an eye infection in dogs and how to treat them.

Dog Eye Infections

An eye infection is a common problem in dogs. You may notice your dog rubbing at his eyes or squinting as if he can’t see. Signs of an eye infection include:

Redness and inflammation around the eyes
Discharge from the eyes
Excessive tearing or watery discharge from one or both eyes
Painful eyes that look like they’re bulging out

Types of Eye Infections in Dogs

Conjunctivitis. This is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin layer of tissue that lines the eyelid and covers the white of your dog’s eye. It’s common in puppies and young dogs, but can also be caused by allergies or a bacterial infection. Symptoms include redness, discharge, swelling and pain in their eyes. * Corneal ulcers (corneal dystrophy). Corneal dystrophy is actually a progressive disease where painless ulcers form on your dog’s cornea—the clear covering over his eye—which will eventually cause blindness if not treated correctly. In some cases it may appear as though there are gray spots on your dog’s cornea due to scars from previous infections; other times it could look like an opaque white area surrounded by edema (swelling).
Glaucoma: This condition causes increased pressure inside of your dog’s eyes which damages their optic nerve leading them eventually go blind permanently if left untreated.* Canine distemper: Dogs who have been exposed to canine distemper virus still carry antibodies against this disease when they’re older even though they’re no longer contagious anymore! Their immune systems remember past encounters so that they can still fight off anything similar happening again later down road when needed most―but unfortunately those same antibodies may react negatively against certain medications used during treatment!

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that lines the inner eyelid and covers the white part of the eye. It can be due to organisms like bacteria or viruses, or allergies. Bacterial conjunctivitis is a common infection in dogs; it causes redness, irritation, crusting and swelling of your dog’s eyes.

Corneal Ulcers

If your dog is showing symptoms of a corneal ulcer, you must get him to a veterinarian immediately. Corneal ulcers are open wounds on the surface of the cornea, and they can be caused by bacteria, trauma, allergies or other conditions. Some dogs may be more predisposed to developing this condition than others.

Symptoms include redness, pain and tearing in both eyes. If left untreated for too long (more than two weeks), it can lead to permanent blindness.

Corneal ulcers are a serious condition that requires immediate veterinary attention

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition in which pressure within the eye builds up causing damage to the optic nerve. This can lead to severe vision loss and blindness if left untreated. The increased pressure can be caused by any number of conditions, including injuries or tumors.

Symptoms of glaucoma include redness, pain, swelling around the eye and possibly watery eyes with excess tearing. If you notice these symptoms in your dog they should be checked out immediately by a veterinarian who may prescribe eye drops to lower their intraocular pressure (IOP).

If left untreated this disease can cause complete blindness so it’s important that you recognize these symptoms early on and take action quickly!

Canine Distemper

Canine distemper is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease. It affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. While distemper is rarely seen in developed countries where vaccination programs are in place, it remains a significant problem in developing countries where access to veterinary care is limited or nonexistent. Dogs that survive the initial infection typically develop lifelong immunity to canine distemper virus (CDV).

Cataracts

A cataract is an opacity of the lens in your dog’s eye. The lens, like the lens of a camera or human eye, is clear and allows light to pass through. When it becomes cloudy, vision is hampered by visual distortions or blurring, which can become permanent if left untreated.

Cataracts may be congenital (present from birth) or acquired later in life; they are most common in older dogs and are often associated with other factors such as diabetes mellitus. A cataract can appear suddenly or gradually over time; in some cases there may be no symptoms until after it has grown sufficiently large that vision is impaired

How to Identify an Eye Infection in Your Dog?

If you are concerned that your dog has an eye infection, it is always best to visit the veterinarian. The only way to really be sure that your dog has an eye infection and determine the right treatment is by visiting your veterinarian. However, this list can help you identify possible symptoms of an eye infection:

Redness or discharge in their eyes
Hair loss around their eyes or nostrils
Excessive rubbing or scratching at their face and/or ears

Discharge from the eyes (watery and/or green/yellow)

The discharge from a dog’s eye can be clear, cloudy, or green/yellow. It may be watery or thick. The discharge may be thin and stringy, or it may look like pus-like material with a cheesy appearance. Sometimes the eye will have a combination of different discharges.

Redness, especially around the edges and in the corners of the eye(s)

If your dog’s eye(s) are red and/or swollen, it could be a sign of conjunctivitis. The most common cause of this condition is bacteria or a virus, though allergies can also be responsible. In addition to redness, you may notice that the edges around your pup’s eyes appear pinker than normal (the “corner”).

Conjunctivitis can also occur when something irritates the cornea—the clear part at the front of your dog’s eye that covers its iris and pupil. This often happens when an object gets in your pup’s eye and causes damage; however, it can also occur from excessive rubbing due to allergies or another infection (like an ulcer).

In rare cases, severe conjunctivitis may result from glaucoma—a condition where fluid builds up inside the eyeball causing increased pressure on the optic nerve which leads to loss of vision over time. If you notice any changes (other than minor discomfort) after using one of our recommended medications below then consult with us right away!

Swelling

Swelling can be a sign of any of these conditions:

An infection
An injury to the eye
A serious problem that requires treatment by a vet
An allergic reaction, such as an allergy to flea saliva or pollen

The swelling may happen because of fluid accumulation in the eyelids and around the eyes (edema), which happens after an injury, or it might be due to inflammation from an infection like conjunctivitis. If you see your dog’s eyes become red and swollen overnight, it could mean there is something wrong with them.

Excessive blinking and/or squinting

Excessive blinking and/or squinting is one sign of a possible eye infection. A dog may also rub his or her face on the ground, walls or furniture because of irritation. This can be caused by an infection, but it can also indicate dry eye or corneal ulcers in your pooch. If you notice watering eyes and excessive blinking, you should take your pup to the vet for further inspection.

Treatment:

If your dog has been diagnosed with an eye infection, treatment will vary depending on what kind of infection he has. Antibiotics are usually prescribed by veterinarians for bacterial infections and steroids for fungal infections.

Pawing at the eyes or rubbing them against furniture/rugs/other objects (tearing can also indicate dry eye)

If your dog is pawing at his eyes or rubbing them against furniture, rugs, or other objects, this can be a sign of pain. If he’s tearing constantly and frequently rubbing his eyes against things, consider the possibility that he might have dry eye. Dry eye can also be a sign of an eye infection (which will require treatment).

Tearing and crustiness, especially at night or when sleeping (tearing can also indicate dry eye)

Tearing, especially at night or when sleeping (tearing can also indicate dry eye)

Many dogs do not show signs of discomfort until the tear ducts become clogged or infected. As a result, they often scratch their eyes and rub them against surfaces in an attempt to relieve the discomfort caused by this buildup of tears. If your dog has been scratching his eyes frequently for more than a few days, take him immediately to the veterinarian for an exam.

Cloudiness (can also be a sign of cataracts)

Cloudiness in the eye is not always a sign of an infection, but it is one of the most common symptoms. Cloudy eyes can be caused by any number of things, including inflammation and irritation as well as certain diseases like diabetes or thyroid issues. If your dog has cloudy eyes, it’s important to see a vet for diagnosis so that you know whether or not treatment options are available.

The only way to really be sure your dog has an eye infection and determine the right treatment is to visit the veterinarian.

The only way to really be sure your dog has an eye infection and determine the right treatment is to visit the veterinarian. If you suspect your dog has an eye infection, take him to the vet. If you can’t afford a vet, try to find a free clinic.

Conclusion

To summarize, the best way to prevent an eye infection for your dog is through routine cleanings, examinations and vaccinations. Breeds with protruding eyes should be extra careful because they are more prone to eye problems like dry eyes or even glaucoma. Other than that, if you want to keep your pup’s eyes healthy, try not to let anything get near them as much as possible! If you do notice any of these symptoms in your dog’s eyesight it is important that you take action quickly by contacting a veterinarian before things get worse.