What Is Dog Conjunctivitis
Dog conjunctivitis is an infection of the eye that is caused by bacteria or a virus. It can be transmitted to humans. It is also called pink eye.
Symptoms of dog conjunctivitis are redness, excessive tearing, and discharge from the eyes. The most common symptom is a discharge from the eyes.
How do you treat conjunctivitis in dogs?
How is conjunctivitis treated? Treatment is directed at the specific cause and may include both topical and oral medications. Topical gentamicin, tobramycin, chloramphenicol, oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin or triple-antibiotic ophthalmic ointments and solutions are commonly prescribed.[1]
How did my dog get conjunctivitis?
Bacterial and viral infections are the most frequent causes of pink eye in dogs, followed by environmental irritants, such as smoke, and allergens. If conjunctivitis occurs in only one eye, it may be the result of a foreign object, inflammation of the tear sac, or dry eye.[2]
Will conjunctivitis go away by itself in dogs?
While non-infectious conjunctivitis is not a serious condition in and of itself, it won’t clear up on its own without treatment, and it may point to a more serious health problem that needs to be addressed. Additionally, if left untreated, your dog could sustain a permanent eye injury or even vision loss.[3]
What does conjunctivitis look like in a dog?
Your dog may show symptoms such as blinking, squinting, or pawing at their eye. A clear or green discharge from the eye can also be a sign of conjunctivitis in dogs as can redness in the whites of the eyes, and red or swollen eyelids or area surrounding the eye .[4]
How can I treat my dogs conjunctivitis at home?
Home remedies for conjunctivitis in dogs The only home remedy that’s recommended for mild eye problems in dogs is a saltwater rinse. You can also use this treatment to clean and keep your dog’s eyes moist while waiting to take him to the vet.[5]
How long does dog conjunctivitis last?
Canine Conjunctivitis Recovery Time When conjunctivitis is present in only one eye, it could be due to irritation, dry eye or an infected tear duct. Once treatment begins, improvement can be seen within a few days in most cases, but full recovery in some cases may take up to three weeks.[6]
How contagious is dog conjunctivitis?
Any breed of dog may develop viral conjunctivitis if they encounter viruses that cause inflammation in the eye membranes. These viruses are usually quite contagious and can take 3 to 4 weeks to fully resolve. Examples of viruses that can cause these signs in dogs include canine distemper virus and canine herpesvirus.[7]
How can I treat my dogs eye infection without going to the vet?
Saline eye drops can be used to safely flush any irritants out of a dog’s eye. These drops won’t hurt and may provide some temporary relief to your dog’s inflamed eye. Saline eye drops can be purchased from a pharmacy, online, or from a pet store and gently squirted directly into your dog’s eye.[8]
Does conjunctivitis hurt my dog?
Much like conjunctivitis in humans, dogs with conjunctivitis will also have yellow-green pus or a watery eye discharge. It can be very irritating that causes the eyes to become itchy, red, and swollen.[9]
Can I walk my dog if he has conjunctivitis?
If your dog’s conjunctivitis is viral, it is usually not contagious to you, but might be to other dogs, says Smith. Make sure your dog walker has all of this information to protect all of the pups they walk. If bacterial, it may be contagious to both humans and to other dogs.[10]
Can conjunctivitis cause blindness in dogs?
If untreated, conjunctivitis can cause severe pain, blindness, and systemic infection. Protect yourself and your pet.[11]
Do I need to take my dog to the vet for conjunctivitis?
At the first sign of these symptoms, it’s best to take your dog to the vet. They can tell what type of conjunctivitis you’re dealing with and how to treat it. Plus, your dog may have a more serious condition that could cause blindness if left untreated.[12]
