Many people are worried about their pets that get affected with several infections. Eye infection is one of the common problem in dogs. This article gives some of the signs shown by dogs affected with eye infection, their causes and prevention.
Following are some of the signs that shows your pet has an eye infection:
- Eye discharge– Eye discharge looks ugly, but it is a warning that shows something is wrong. Infections may progress quickly and even result in permanent eye damage. Discharge is an important warning sign of infection. It is thick, gray, yellow or green.
- Red or swollen eyes– When dogs have an eye infection, the area around the eyes and eyelids become red and swollen.
- Blood shot eyes– Eyes of the dog become blood shot if it has infection.
- Squinting– Dogs may squint if they develop eye infection.
- Trying to rub or scratch the eye – Scratching or rubbing of the eye makes things worse for the pet.
- Cloudiness
Infections are common in pets. Eye infections mostly involve the conjunctiva that leads to pink eye or conjunctivitis.
Causes of eye infections in dogs
Causes include bacteria, viruses such as Herpes virus, irritants or foreign material in the eye and also Lyme disease. Eye infections can become chronic if they are not treated and can result in permanent damage of the eye such as blindness.
Prevention
Following are some of the steps to be followed to prevent dog’s eye infection:
- Check your dogs eye regularly.
- Always keep the dog’s head inside when the vehicle is moving.
- Clean the dog’s eye by wiping any discharge that can accumulate.
- Regular eye checkup should be done.
Visit a veterinarian if your dog suffers from an eye infection. They cannot be treated at home. Home remedies are not available for a dog’s eye infection. A dog diagnosed with infection will be prescribed an antibiotic eye ointment. In severe cases, oral antibiotics may be prescribed.
Some eye infections are highly contagious such as conjunctivitis. So timely checkup and treatment is better to ensure that other pets are not affected.
