Pink Eye Symptoms in Dogs

Pink eye symptoms give your dog pain and discomfort. You should therefore watch for the symptoms of pink eye and get them diagnosed and treated promptly. Pink eye in dogs is also known as conjunctivitis. This condition changes the dog’s eye color to pink, hence the name pink eye. Conjunctivitis is a contagious infection that’s generally caused by bacteria or certain viruses.

Transmission of Conjunctivitis in Dogs

An infected pet can easily spread the condition to healthy pets through eye discharge. While some pets develop conjunctivitis when certain external irritants get lodged in the eye, other dogs suffer from conjunctivitis when they roam outdoors and fight with other pets. Since the infection primarily attacks the dog’s conjunctiva or the membranes present in the eye, the condition is termed as conjunctivitis.

Although some pets only suffer from mild inflammation of the eyelid, other dogs may suffer from severe inflammation and may not be able to blink easily. This can prove very painful for your pet. You should thus watch for the symptoms of conjunctivitis in dogs and seek medical help at the earliest.

Symptoms of Pink Eye in Dogs Include:

  • Inflammation of the eye
  • Watery eyes
  • Eye discharge
  • Swelling of the eyelids
  • Eyes are swollen shut
  • The conjunctiva has a distinct pink color
  • Itching
  • Pet tries to rub his face against furniture or surfaces 
  • Pet whines if you try to examine his eyes

When Conjunctivitis Progresses

If pink eye is not treated with medication, the condition will cause further damage to your pet’s eyes. The infection will spread to other areas of the eye and the dog’s vision may deteriorate. You will notice that your pet can’t see as well as before and he may bump into objects or furniture lying around the house.

To prevent this from happening you must get the eye examined as early as possible, even if the pet doesn’t exhibit all of the symptoms that are listed above.

Diagnosis of Pink Eye in Dogs

Although conjunctivitis causes your dog a lot of discomfort, it can be treated with proper medications. Your dog’s eyesight will be restored and the pain and inflammation will subside. Before administering any medications to your pet, the vet will first examine the eye to look for traces of any foreign particles, corneal ulcers or eye trauma. The vet will also take a sample of the fluid that’s being discharged from the dog’s eyes and send it for a pathological exam.

Treatment of Pink Eye in Dogs

The vet may prescribe certain antibiotic drugs or antibiotic drops to get rid of the infection that’s present. Apart from this, the vet may also recommend the use of certain supplements to maintain healthy eyes. Supplements that are herbal in nature are the preferred choice as they won’t cause any side effects.

You must make sure you administer all medications on time and keep your pet in a warm and comfortable environment. Wipe the dog’s eye discharge at regular intervals and throw away used towels to prevent re-infections.

Once the dog has been treated, you should take precautionary measures to prevent him from contracting such infections in the future. Keep your pet’s food and water bowls in a clean place and wash them every day. Also keep your home and outdoor areas clean and prevent your pet from roaming outdoors amidst the plants and trees.

 

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