In this article on our site we will talk about the eye infection in dogs The eyes are very delicate organs, susceptible to different conditions due to the action of the weather or the presence of foreign bodies. Although they have their own protection mechanisms, infections can also occasionally occur.
Next, we will see what are the most common causes of this disorder and what its treatment is, which our veterinarian will have to prescribe.
Eye infection in dogs due to bacterial blepharitis
Blepharitis is the inflammation of the eyelids Thus, we will notice that our dog has a bad eye, with swollen eyelids, enlarged thick, swollen, and crusty. The eyelids may stick together due to the purulent discharge that is produced. This eye infection in adult dogs can be associated with skin diseases such as atopy, demodectic mange, hypothyroidism or autoimmune diseases. In contrast, in puppies it is mainly associated with juvenile pyoderma. When blepharitis is caused by staphylococci, we can see small white grains on the edge of the eyelids, which eventually open and cause itching. This type of blepharitis is more common in poodles.
The treatment involves the administration of antibiotics and it is very important that before applying it we clean the eyes well with a gauze pad or cotton moistened in saline solution or warm water, with the aim of softening and removing crusts to facilitate drug penetration. In some dogs the treatment can be prolonged.
Eye infection in dogs due to styes
Another cause of eye infection in dogs are styes, small abscesses ending in a point that are caused by the infection of a follicle hair or a meibomian gland. Both the follicles and these glands, which secrete sebaceous substances, are located in the eyelids. As it is an infection, antibiotic treatment will be needed. The vet may pierce the stye with a needle or scalpel to drain it or instruct us to apply heat 3-4 times a day at home so that the stye opens on its own.
Eye infection in dogs due to conjunctivitis
If our dog has red eyes, it is likely that he has conjunctivitis, one of the most common causes of eye infection in dogs. It consists of the inflammation of the ocular conjunctiva, which produces redness in the eye and discharge. It is not a painful pathology, so if we notice the dog is in pain, we may be facing another more serious condition such as uveitis or glaucoma.
There are different causes behind conjunctivitis, such as an allergy, a systemic disease, a foreign body, or simply an eyelash growing into the eye. When bacteria are present, these are usually staphylococci or streptococci, which cause a mucopurulent secretion, capable of sticking the eyelids together and forming scabs when dry.
As with blepharitis, in this case it is also important to clean the eye well to remove the crusts and that the medications that The veterinarian prescribes them to penetrate well inside the eye so that they can be effective. With treatment, normally in a few days the eyes will be recovered. Even so, we must continue administering it for as long as indicated by the veterinarian. In cases where no improvement is seen, a culture is necessary to find a more suitable antibiotic.
Eye infection in dogs due to infectious keratitis
Keratitis is visually seen as a cloud in the dog's eye It is due to inflammation of the cornea, causing it to lose transparency. In addition, we will observe abundant tearing, intolerance to light or protrusion of the third eyelid. The dog will rub its paw.
There are several types of keratitis. In this section we will talk about what is caused by an eye infection in dogs, infectious keratitis, which occurs when bacteria appear, such as staphylococci, streptococci or pseudomonas. The eye will hurt and, in addition, we will see a characteristic purulent secretion. These data can make us think that the dog suffers from conjunctivitis but, remember, in that case he would not have pain. Like the disorders that we have already talked about, it will require antibiotic treatment that the veterinarian must prescribe.
