How To Treat Conjunctivitis In A Dog

Introduction

The eye is a very sensitive part of the body and problems with it can be incredibly painful for your dog. Conjunctivitis, also known as “pink eye”, is a common problem that can cause both acute and chronic pain in dogs. It’s important that you know the signs and how to treat conjunctivitis in dogs, so read on and learn everything you need to know about pink eye in dogs.

What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. It can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, allergy, or irritation. The most common type of conjunctivitis in dogs is usually caused by a virus and it’s known as “pink eye.” The conjunctiva is a clear membrane that covers the white part of your dog’s eye and his inner eyelid.

The symptoms include redness, discharge from the eyes or soggy or crusty eyes, pawing at their face (as if they’re trying to scratch something), and sometimes squinting when there’s light around them.

The signs of conjunctivitis can be easily seen.

The signs of conjunctivitis can be easily seen. The affected eye will be red or swollen, and there may be a discharge from the eye. A dog with conjunctivitis may also experience sensitivity to light, squinting and/or discomfort when the area around the eye is touched. In severe cases, you may see bleeding from your pet’s eyes. Your dog’s other symptoms will vary depending on which type of conjunctivitis he has contracted as well as how severe it is.

The causes of conjunctivitis in dogs are mostly external.

Conjunctivitis is more common in dogs than humans and can be caused by a number of things, including external factors such as allergens and excessive light exposure. The most common cause of conjunctivitis in dogs is a viral infection. The second most common cause is allergies to dust mites or pollen from plants like ragweed, grasses or weeds. Thirdly, bacterial infections that affect the mucus membranes of your dog’s eyes are possible causes for this condition as well. Parasites such as roundworms may also infect dogs’ eyes and lead them to develop conjunctivitis symptoms if left untreated over time; this type of parasite causes damage by disrupting blood flow through the cornea which can result in ulcers or scarring on its surface if not treated quickly enough by seeking medical attention right away!

Other reasons why owners might notice these signs include nutritional deficiencies (especially zinc deficiency), chemical burns and/or trauma due to foreign objects sticking into their eye sockets during fights with other animals such as cats during playtime outside around fences etcetera so please make sure you’re checking up regularly on any wounds that appear fresh bruises bleeding heavily etcetera especially those near where both eyes meet together at corners like below eyebrows area where there’s lots of veins underneath skin too sensitive spots so always wear gloves when touching areas around eyes .

Conjunctivitis can sometimes be hard to diagnose.

Conjunctivitis can sometimes be difficult to diagnose because of the way it presents itself. The signs are similar to those of other diseases, allergies and eye problems, as well as eye injuries and infections. If your dog has a red eye or discharge, there’s a good chance they have conjunctivitis; however, they could also have another condition that needs treatment.

For example: an upper respiratory infection (URTI) might result in red eyes with clear discharge but no crusting over the eyelids. And while this will usually clear up on its own within 10 days or so, you should always consult your vet if you notice any kind of a change in your pet’s behavior—especially if he/she seems more lethargic than usual or otherwise unwell—because it could turn out to be something serious!

There are different treatments for conjunctivitis in dogs.

When treating conjunctivitis, there are several different treatments available. These include:

Antibiotics – These can be used to treat bacterial infections and are usually given for 10-14 days. If a bacterial infection is present, your veterinarian will likely recommend giving your dog antibiotics; however, this does not always mean that you should use them if your dog only has eye discharge or reddened sclera.
Antiseptics – These are used to treat mild cases of non-serious infections and can be administered as drops or ointments in the eye. They may also be applied topically on the face around the eyes or nose to help relieve symptoms like redness and swelling.
Steroids – Corticosteroids such as prednisone can be given orally or injected into the eye if corneal ulcers (kernels) are present; they will reduce inflammation and pain while speeding up healing time so you don’t have to worry about losing vision loss at all! Be sure not give steroid drops before consulting an animal healthcare professional first though because they’re very strong drugs that could cause more harm than good if misused incorrectly – especially on dogs who already have glaucoma issues which might lead towards blindness if left untreated.”

It’s important to know when to see a vet.

If you’re concerned about your dog’s eye infection, contact your veterinarian for advice.

If the symptoms are severe: Your vet may recommend a prescription medication to reduce inflammation and relieve discomfort, as well as pain relief if necessary. In more serious cases involving bacterial conjunctivitis—especially in dogs with underlying medical issues like heart disease or diabetes—antibiotics may be required to ensure that an infection is properly treated.
If there’s no improvement after two days: If redness and discharge have not improved by this time, it could be due to an allergy, foreign body or other infectious cause that requires further investigation or treatment (including topical ointments or antibiotics).
If there is worsening of symptoms: It’s also important to see a vet if symptoms worsen within 72 hours after starting treatment; otherwise they’ll need further investigation into whether there are other underlying causes behind their discomfort besides simple conjunctivitis (such as allergies) before any further action can be taken on those fronts!

Watch out for these symptoms and take your dog to the vet if you notice them.

Keep an eye out for these signs of conjunctivitis in your dog:

Redness
Watery discharge from the eyes (you may notice this when you wake up, or after bath time)
Swollen eyelids (in some cases, it’s possible to see a bulge on one side of the face)
Excessive blinking or squinting, which could be caused by pain or sensitivity to light. If you see this behavior in your dog, don’t let it go too long—it’s important to address it quickly because it can cause permanent damage to their vision. This symptom is referred to as trichiasis and happens when lashes grow inward instead of outward. It can occur on one or both eyes and usually results from inflammation caused by infection or trauma (such as rubbing against clothing). Trichiasis also occurs when hairs protrude into the cornea causing irritation and pain; this condition is called entropion.

Other symptoms include hiding, difficulty seeing clearly/seeing at all without glasses/lenses (or other corrective lenses), excessive tearing due to pain associated with scratching at their faces with their paws/pads because they are unable to use their hands effectively enough due either from being drowsy from feverishness caused by infection during an acute illness episode or having no energy left over after fighting off another bout of illness where antibiotics were needed before making a full recovery several weeks later once again becoming active outdoors again…”

Conclusion

The symptoms of conjunctivitis can be easily seen. If you notice any of them on your dog, you should take him to the vet as soon as possible. The sooner that the vet can treat conjunctivitis in your dog, the less likely it is that he will develop any complications or permanent damage to his eyes. The treatment for this condition depends on what is causing it, so it’s very important that you get a proper diagnosis from your vet before starting on any medication. Good luck!