Conjunctivitis in dogs is an eye condition characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the inside of the eyelids. Sometimes, in addition to inflammation, it can be accompanied by an infection. We are going to distinguish it because normally the eyes of our dogs will be red, tearful or rheumy.
Canine conjunctivitis does not always occur as an isolated case, so that sometimes it will be part of the symptomatology of a disease developed in the animal. On our site we give you the keys so you can learn to detect conjunctivitis in your dog and know how to treat it.
Types of conjunctivitis in dogs
First of all, what is conjunctivitis in dogs? As we have already mentioned, conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the ocular conjunctiva and is characterized by producing redness and discharge. It is not a disease in itself, but a symptom that can occur as a result of a more serious problem. Likewise, it can be infectious or not, depending on the cause that originated it. In this way, the following types of conjunctivitis in dogs are distinguished:
- Allergic Conjunctivitis. As an allergic reaction to virtually any allergen, the conjunctiva can become inflamed and irritated, producing increased tear secretion, redness, and itching.
- Viral conjunctivitis Some viruses, such as the one that causes canine distemper, can affect the eyes and produce a very annoying mucopurulent conjunctivitis. Being a virus, this conjunctivitis is contagious and, for the most part, forms part of the symptoms of more or less serious illnesses.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis It is also contagious because bacteria are responsible for this type of conjunctivitis in dogs. Sometimes, they are opportunistic bacteria that proliferate when the animal's immune system is weakened by the development of some pathology.
- Foreign body conjunctivitis. The intrusion of foreign bodies into the eye, such as dust, plants or an eyelash, can irritate and inflame the conjunctiva, developing conjunctivitis. It is not contagious and will subside as soon as the foreign body is removed.
It is important to note that we should not confuse a picture of conjunctivitis with one of keratoconunctivitis sicca, because, although they are similar, we are dealing with different eye conditions. Also known as dry eye, dry keratoconjunctivitis affects the lacrimal glands causing them to produce a minimum amount of tears and thus causing severe dry eyes. This dryness causes the eye to present a thick and mucopurulent discharge. To learn about other eye infections that can be confused with conjunctivitis, see this article: "Eye infection in dogs - Causes and treatment".
Causes of canine conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis in dogs can be due both to a temporary problem, which only affects the eye itself, or to a larger one and thus become a symptom of another pathology:
- When we talk about a specific problem that is only related to the eye, we are referring to allergies, some foreign body that while playing in the park has been able to damage it (plants), eye dryness or when some part of its anatomy is not quite right (malformation in the eyelids, ulcers, eyelashes…).
- However, conjunctivitis in dogs can also appear as a cause of more serious diseases such as distemper or hepatitis.
- Finally, other causes of conjunctivitis in dogs are bacterial or viral infections, as we have seen in the previous section.
Regardless of the cause of this annoying problem for our dog, it will be easy to detect, since it will be quite scandalous to see our dog with his red eye, or with more tears than normal. Therefore, in the face of any indication, the first thing to do is go to a veterinarian to diagnose the cause, as well as the corresponding treatment. In parallel, we can consult the most common eye diseases in dogs to see in which conjunctivitis appears as a symptom.
It stands to reason that if only one eye is unwell, something specific must have happened to that eye. If our dog has been playing in bushes and bushes where he has put his nose, he will also have put his eye and, with total probability, that is the cause of conjunctivitis. However, if both are affected, there is a greater chance that our dog will suffer from any other problem.
Symptoms of conjunctivitis in dogs
In order to identify canine conjunctivitis, it is essential to know the symptoms that your dog will present, the following being the most common:
- Difficulty opening the affected eye. Remember that this condition, if it is not the cause of another major pathology, usually appears first in one of the eyes.
- Eye redness. As it is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, it becomes irritated and produces redness.
- Light rejection. See if your dog seeks refuge in the darkest parts of your house.
- Excessive tearing In most cases the excessively watery eye is accompanied by an annoying itching, so your dog will scratch frequently. If so, it is essential that you prevent it from scratching, as it could injure itself internally with its nails.
- Yellowish or greenish purulent discharge. This symptom will appear in cases of more serious infectious conjunctivitis, or in those dogs that develop this condition due to another pathology, such as the aforementioned distemper.
If your dog shows any of these symptoms, don't hesitate to take him to the vet.
Dogs more prone to conjunctivitis
There are breeds of dogs that, for hereditary reasons, are more prone to eye inflammation than others. Both the poodle and the cocker are hereditary-prone breeds and their prevention can only be done carry out with a very early examination. Likewise, it will require more specific eye care throughout the life of our dog.
In addition to the above breeds, the Pug and the Pekingese, due to the shape of their skull, are more exposed to all weather conditions and, in general, to all the elements with which they are related in their life. For example, when sniffing they are more likely to get foreign bodies into their eyes and cause conjunctivitis. For this reason, you also have to be more careful with your eyes and ask your veterinarian how we should clean them daily.
How to cure conjunctivitis in dogs: treatment
Curing conjunctivitis in dogs is a simple process, as long as it is not a symptom of any disease. Thus, when we are facing a case of allergic or foreign body conjunctivitis, the treatment will involve cleaning the dog's eyes with saline solution several times a day.
Now then, when it comes to bacterial or viral conjunctivitis in dogs, mostly the product of other more serious pathologies, it will be necessary to administer another type of topical treatment that can only be stipulated and prescribed by a veterinarian. In general, antibiotics for conjunctivitis in dogs are used topically, that is, in cream or in the form of drops, in order to reduce conjunctival inflammation and fight viruses or bacteria. The frequency of administration should also be marked by the specialist depending on the severity of the conjunctivitis.
Can I use human eye drops for dogs?
The answer is no To treat and cure conjunctivitis in dogs, it is necessary to use a veterinary prescription antibiotic eye drop for dogs. Neither should we use medications designed for humans or self-medicate our dog, since, by not knowing the exact cause of the problem, we can considerably worsen the situation. Likewise, if our dog is prone to this type of eye condition and we already have drops for conjunctivitis in dogs from previous situations in our medicine cabinet, we must check the expiration date and consult with the veterinarian if it is possible to use them again, since that, as we have seen, the causes are very diverse.
How long does conjunctivitis last in dogs?
It is impossible to establish a generic period of duration, since it is the cause of canine conjunctivitis thatwill determine the recovery time Thus, if the dog has conjunctivitis due to allergies or foreign bodies, by removing the allergen or the object that has inflamed the conjunctiva, it can recover in a maximum of 24 hours. On the other hand, if it is a bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, it can last days or weeks, depending on the pathogenic agent.
In any case, it is necessary to follow the treatment established by the veterinarian to cure conjunctivitis in dogs as soon as possible. Interrupting treatment is not appropriate, even if a marked improvement is observed or, on the contrary, the dog does not improve. In both cases, the specialist should be contacted to determine how to proceed.
Home remedies for conjunctivitis in dogs
If we do not have physiological saline, we can make use of a series of home remedies to treat canine conjunctivitis. Of course, these natural treatments will be effective in cases of mild conjunctivitis, such as that caused by foreign bodies or allergies. When we are facing a bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, without the administration of antibiotics we will not eliminate it, so the remedies will be a complement but not the solution. That said, the most effective remedies are:
- Chamomile infusion
- Thyme tea
- Warm and cold packs
Don't miss this article to learn how to use them and find out more recommended remedies: "Natural treatments for conjunctivitis in dogs".
How to prevent conjunctivitis in dogs?
To prevent both eye infections or inflammations and any eye disease in dogs, it is important to maintain good eye cleaning habits, that your dog has a good diet that strengthens all its organs and if there is hair that hinders vision, remove it to prevent dirt that accumulates on the fur from getting into the eyes.
On the other hand, because conjunctivitis in dogs can be viral, it is also important to vaccinate the puppy following the instructions of the veterinarian in order to avoid possible infections of the most common pathologies. In adult dogs, it will be the specialist who determines if it is necessary to vaccinate again and how often.
Is conjunctivitis in dogs contagious to humans?
The truth is that bacterial and viral conjunctivitis can be transmitted to humans depending on the virus or bacteria that causes it. Some of these agents can affect dogs, cats and people, which is why, in case of detecting signs of this type of conjunctivitis in dogs, it is best to visit the specialist as soon as possible in order not only to avoid contagion, but also to treat the animal and ensure its speedy recovery.
