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Dog Eye Infections: Everything You Need to Know

December 8, 2022
Dog Eye Infections: Everything You Need to Know

Dogs are susceptible to a variety of eye infections, which can cause pain and discomfort. In some cases, the infection may be serious enough to require treatment from a veterinarian.

In this blog post, we will discuss the most common types of dog eye infections, their symptoms, and how you can treat them. We will also cover prevention methods so that you can help keep your dog's eyes healthy and free from infection!

What Are Symptoms of Dog Eye Infections?

The most common symptom of a dog eye infection is redness and inflammation. You may also notice that your dog's eyes are watery or there's the present of discharge. Your dog may also rub or scratch at their eyes, and they may squint or keep their eyes closed. If the infection is severe, your dog's cornea may become cloudy.

What Causes Dog Eye Infections?

There are many different types of bacteria and viruses that can cause eye infections in dogs. The most common include:

Canine Adenovirus

This virus causes kennel cough in dogs, and it can also lead to conjunctivitis (inflammation of the lining of the eye).

Canine Herpesvirus

This virus is responsible for causing a viral eye infection called keratoconjunctivitis sicca, which can lead to blindness.

Canine Parvovirus

This virus can cause inflammation of the cornea, which can lead to ulcers or scarring.

Bacterial Infections

Bacterial infections are often caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, or Pseudomonas bacteria. These infections can cause conjunctivitis, keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), or uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye).

Types of Eye Infections Commonly Seen In Dogs

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is the most common type of dog eye infection. It is caused by bacteria, viruses, allergies, or foreign bodies such as dirt or dust in the eye. Conjunctivitis can be acute (sudden onset) or chronic (long-term). Symptoms include redness, discharge, and squinting. Treatment usually involves antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications.

Keratitis

Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other irritants. It can also be a result of injury or exposure to ultraviolet light. Symptoms include redness, pain, tearing, and squinting. Treatment depends on the cause but may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or surgery.

Uveitis

Uveitis is an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye that can be caused by infection, injury, or immune-mediated disease. Symptoms include redness, pain, and increased sensitivity to light. Treatment usually involves corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.

How Are Dog Eye Infections Diagnosed?

dog looking sideways

Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination of your dog and obtain a history from you. They will also likely perform some diagnostic tests such as a Schirmer tear test (to measure tear production), a fluorescent dye test (to look for corneal ulcers), or blood work (to check for underlying disease). Your dog may also need to be referred to a veterinary ophthalmologist for further testing.

How Are Dog Eye Infections Treated?

Treatment for a dog eye infection  will depend on the underlying cause. bacterial infections are usually treated with antibiotics, while viral infections focus on symptomatic support. In some cases, your dog may need to be hospitalized so that they can receive intravenous fluids and medications.

If your dog has a severe infection, they may need to undergo surgery to remove their eye (enucleation). This is typically only done if the eye is severely damaged and it is not possible to save it.

There are also eye drops for dogs  that can help treat the symptoms of an eye infection. these drops contain antibiotic ointments and corticosteroids to fight the bacteria and reduce inflammation. Not only that, these drops contain saline to moisturize dry eyes. These may be used in addition to other treatments, or they may be used on their own for milder infections.

How Can You Prevent Dog Eye Infections?

There are several things you can do to help prevent dog eye infections:

Keep Your Dog's Eyes Clean

Wipe away any discharge with a clean cloth. You can also use dog tear stains to help prevent tear staining.

Avoid Letting Your Dog Rub Their Eyes

If your dog has allergies, try to keep them from rubbing their eyes by using a hypoallergenic dog shampoo. You can also use an Elizabethan collar (cone) to prevent them from reaching their eyes.

Keep Your Dog's Kennel Clean

Clean your dog's kennel regularly and disinfect it with a bleach solution. This will help to prevent the spread of infection.

Vaccinate Your Dog

Make sure that your dog is up-to-date on all of their vaccinations, including the Bordetella vaccine, which can help protect against kennel cough.

Take Your Dog To The Vet

If you notice any changes in your dog's eyes, take them to the vet for an evaluation. Early treatment is important for preventing serious complications.

dog eye infections can be painful and uncomfortable for your dog. By knowing the symptoms and causes, you can help to prevent them. If your dog does develop an infection, early treatment is important for a successful outcome.

When To Take Your Dog To The Vet?

dog seeing a vet

If you notice any of the following symptoms in your dog, take them to the vet for an evaluation:

  • Watery or discharge from the eyes
  • Rubbing or scratching at the eyes
  • Squinting or keeping the eyes closed
  • Cloudiness in the cornea

Dog eye infections can be serious, so it's important to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Early treatment is important for preventing serious complications. The last thing you want to do is give the wrong treatment, like Pepto-Bismol.

Final Thoughts

Dog eye infections can be painful and uncomfortable for your dog. By knowing the symptoms and causes, you can help to prevent them. If your dog does develop an infection, early treatment is important for a successful outcome. Some of the symptoms to watch out for include watery or discharge from the eyes, rubbing or scratching at the eyes, squinting or keeping the eyes closed, and cloudiness in the cornea. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet right away. With early treatment, most dog eye infections can be successfully resolved, thus leading to a happy friend.

* All the information and content in this blog post are intended for informational purposes only. It should not be a substitute for professional or medical advice. You should always speak with a licensed professional before you follow anything you read in this blog post.

The information is provided by By Hilda Wong. While we try to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.

Dr. Hilda Wong, MD

My name is Dr. Hilda Wong, MD, graduated from Avalon University School of Medicine. I have over 5 years of medical externship experience and a published researcher on PubMed. I'm also a health and nutrition enthusiast and have written several blogs and magazines in these areas. Forgot to mention that I own a Toy Australian Shepherd and a Betta Fish, and have an amazing zest for life, fashion, health, nutrition, and pets.

Dr. Hilda Wong, MD