Eye infections in dogs can be caused by various factors such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, allergies, and trauma. These infections can affect different parts of the eye, including the cornea, eyelids, and tear glands. Eye infections can cause discomfort, discharge, swelling, and light sensitivity in dogs.
While some eye infections may require treatment with prescription medications or even surgery, there are some home remedies that can help alleviate the symptoms of certain types of eye infections.
You are reading: 4 Types Of Eye Infection In Dogs With Home Remedies
In this article, we will discuss the four types of eye infections in dogs and some home remedies that can help.
4 Types Of Eye Infection In Dogs With Home Remedies
Infectious Conjunctivitis
Infectious conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is a type of eye infection in dogs that is caused by a viral or bacterial infection. It is a rare type of eye infection in dogs, but if your dog has it, you can use a sterile saline solution with about five drops of Eyebright and about three drops of goldenseal per ounce of saline as a home remedy.
Saline eye drops can also be used to safely flush any irritants out of a dog’s eye. If your dog has an ongoing issue with conjunctivitis, consulting with your veterinarian will be the best course of action.
She may prescribe anti-histamines to be given through eyedrops for allergic conjunctivitis. She may potentially prescribe anti-biotic drops in the case of a bacterial infection.
While some cases of dog conjunctivitis might clear up on its own, it may not be fully healed without medication. If it’s not treated more of the eye will become affected and this could result in a more serious condition for your dog.
Non-Infectious Conjunctivitis
Non-infectious conjunctivitis in dogs is not contagious and can be caused by various factors such as allergies, irritants, injury, or a congenital abnormality. It is important to identify the root cause of the underlying condition to properly manage your dog’s conjunctivitis.
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If it is allergen-based, it can be helpful to prevent the dog from coming into contact with whatever is causing the reaction. Keep your dog away from dusty, dry, and dirty areas.
Proper diagnosis and treatment are necessary to prevent permanent eye injury or vision loss. While non-infectious conjunctivitis is not a serious condition in and of itself, it won’t clear up on its own without treatment. If left untreated, your dog could sustain a permanent eye injury or even vision loss.
The cause of conjunctivitis can be allergic, viral, bacterial, related to an immune system problem, related to a particular dog’s anatomy, traumatic, or cancerous.
Often, the same clinical signs are the same no matter what the underlying cause. Usually, the cause requires investigation with your veterinarian through a routine exam.
Eye Infection Due to Trauma
Eye infections due to trauma in dogs can be caused by various factors such as scratches, cuts, foreign objects, and blunt force trauma. Traumatic eye injuries in dogs can range from mild to severe and can lead to permanent scarring or blindness if left untreated.
Signs of eye injuries in dogs include excessive tearing, bloody or bloodshot eyes, avoiding bright lights, pawing at the eye and face, distorted pupil, visible foreign object, cloudiness or change in eye color, and discharge from the eye.
If you suspect that your dog has an eye injury due to trauma, it is important to seek veterinary attention immediately. Depending on the severity of the injury, your veterinarian may prescribe eye medication such as antibiotic/anti-inflammatory ointment and recommend follow-up exams.
In some cases, more invasive treatment may be needed to help ensure your dog’s eye heals properly.
Masses on the Dog’s Eyelid
Masses on the dog’s eyelid can be common in dogs, and they typically develop in older dogs but can occur in pets of any age. Fortunately, most eyelid masses behave in a benign nature and do not result in the spread of disease to distant areas of the body.
However, eyelid masses do usually enlarge with time, resulting in structural and functional changes to the eyelids and irritation to the ocular surface (cornea).
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In a small percentage of cases, eyelid masses can be deemed to be malignancies, and appropriate diagnosis can determine if further systemic treatment is needed.
The most common type of canine eyelid tumor is a benign adenoma of the Meibomian gland, which appears as a nodular mass along the eyelid margin.
Surgical excision of the tumor is the most common treatment, and prognosis is generally positive with surgery, and only a small percentage recur. Surgical excision should include 0.5- to 1-mm margins around the mass, followed by closure.
Early identification of abnormal eyelid growths, as well as appropriate and complete treatment, can prevent additional problems such as self-trauma, ulceration, or opacification and inflammation of the adjacent ocular tissues.
FAQS
1. What are the common symptoms of eye infections in dogs?
Common symptoms of eye infections in dogs include excessive tearing, discharge, redness, swelling, light sensitivity, pawing or rubbing at the eye, and distorted pupil.
2. What are the four types of eye infections in dogs?
The four types of eye infections in dogs are infectious conjunctivitis, non-infectious conjunctivitis, eye infection due to trauma, and masses on the dog’s eyelid.
3. What are some home remedies for eye infections in dogs?
Some home remedies for eye infections in dogs include sterile saline solution, Eyebright, goldenseal, chamomile tea, and clean cotton cloth dampened in warm water.
4. When should I take my dog to the vet for an eye infection?
You should take your dog to the vet for an eye infection if the symptoms persist for more than a day or two, if there is discharge or swelling, if your dog is pawing or rubbing at the eye, or if there is a visible foreign object in the eye.
5. Can eye infections in dogs lead to permanent eye damage?
Yes, eye infections in dogs can lead to permanent eye damage or even vision loss if left untreated.
6. Are all eye infections in dogs contagious?
No, not all eye infections in dogs are contagious. Non-infectious conjunctivitis, for example, is not contagious and can be caused by allergies or irritants.
Source: https://petstutorial.com
Category: DOGS
