Conjunctivitis is a common eye condition that affects some dogs. It’s caused by the conjunctiva being inflamed. The conjunctiva is the thin, transparent membrane that covers the white part of their eye and lines the inside of their eyelids. Symptoms of conjunctivitis include redness and swelling in their eyes, discharge from their eyes, excessive tearing, and sensitivity to light.
In order to diagnose conjunctivitis, a veterinarian will need to perform a physical examination and take swabs of any eye discharge for laboratory testing.
It’s important to keep your dog’s environment clean and free of allergens that could trigger an eye infection.
Symptoms of Conjunctivitis
The most common symptoms of conjunctivitis include:
- Redness and swelling in the eyes
- Discharge from the eyes
- Excessive tearing
- Sensitivity to light
If any of these symptoms are present, it’s important to contact a veterinarian to have your pet diagnosed and treated.
Stages of Canine Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis can be split into three stages:
Acute stage:
This is the initial stage of the disease, associated with redness and eye swelling, eye discharge, excessive tearing, and sensitivity to light.
Sub-acute stage:
In this stage, symptoms can become less severe but still present. Their eyes could appear watery and their eye discharge can become thicker.
Chronic stage:
This is the final stage of the disease, associated with persistent redness and eye swelling, thick eye discharge, and sensitivity to light.
It’s important to get veterinary care as soon as possible in order to prevent further complications.
Treating Canine Conjunctivitis
Treating conjunctivitis typically involves the use of topical antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications. In some cases, oral antibiotics can be prescribed as well. It’s important to follow your veterinarian’s instructions and keep their eyes clean and free of discharge.
Prevention of Canine Conjunctivitis
In order to prevent conjunctivitis, it’s important to keep their eyes clean and free of debris. It’s important to keep your dog away from other animals that could be infected with conjunctivitis and to take steps to reduce their risk of transmission.
Reducing their risk of transmission includes avoiding contact with other animals and washing your hands after handling them.
It’s also important to keep your dog’s environment clean and free of allergens that could trigger an eye infection.
It’s important to ensure that your dog is receiving proper nutrition and exercise. Dogs that are fit and eating right have a stronger immune system and reduce their risk of infection.
It’s important to keep an eye out for any changes in their behavior or appearance that could indicate a health issue. If any changes are noticed, it’s a good idea to contact a veterinarian to have them diagnosed and treated.