A disease such as conjunctivitis can occur in a pet. In dogs, it has a chronic form. The animal has an inflamed ocular connective membrane. Treating conjunctivitis in a dog is a long process. This disease can lead to vision loss. But if you pay attention to it in time and start treatment, then there is a high probability that the dog owner will be able to rid his pet of this ailment for a long time.
Why does the disease appear?
Conjunctivitis can occur for several reasons. Usually this is due to some external effect on the ocular membrane. Insects can also damage the eye.
Eye contact may cause conjunctivitis. Various microorganisms can cause damage to the transparent membrane. Caustic smoke and gases can cause inflammation of the eye. In an animal, eyelashes can grow into the ocular membrane. Allergies can also cause conjunctivitis in an animal. If allergic conjunctivitis is present in dogs, treatment will be to exclude the source of its occurrence. To provoke the occurrence of the disease, sand, grass or other plants that get into the eye can. Viruses, fungi and infections contribute to the inflammation of the transparent membrane of the eye.
In addition to the above causes of conjunctivitis, this ailment can occur as a result of other existing diseases - such as plague, hepatitis and parvovirus infections.
There are dog breeds that, due to their physiology, are at risk for conjunctivitis. These species include the Pekingese and French Bulldogs. The reason that they are more susceptible to this disease is the shape of the eyes. Namely, they are located bulging. Therefore, dogs can easily injure the eye and damage its shell, which, in turn, will lead to the occurrence of conjunctivitis.
How to determine if a dog has eye problems?
First of all, it should be noted that the disease can be of various types. The treatment for conjunctivitis in a dog depends on its type. It happens:
- Follicular conjunctivitis.
- Catarrhal.
- Purulent conjunctivitis.
These manifestations of the disease have different signs and symptoms. Therefore, in order to identify one or another species, it is necessary to know the characteristics of each and how they proceed.
Dog follicular conjunctivitis
Treatment of this disease can be carried out at home. This conjunctivitis forms on the inner wall of the third century, which acquires a dark red color. Inflammation of the transparent membrane of the eye begins .
Catarrhal conjunctivitis
It proceeds in an acute form. The dog’s eye is watery and flowing. Usually this disease becomes chronic.
Purulent conjunctivitis
How is purulent conjunctivitis manifested in dogs? Treatment of the disease should take into account the characteristics of its course. The main symptom of this type of conjunctivitis is a depressed or inhibited state of the animal. The eye swells, reddens, and pus appears. First, the discharge has a liquid structure, and then become thick.
Conjunctivitis in dogs. Symptoms and treatment at home
Many dog owners are interested in the question, can I do something on my own? How can I treat conjunctivitis in a dog at home? For example, wipe the dog’s eyes with a sterile cotton swab dipped in boiled water. This action should be done at the first symptoms of conjunctivitis. Namely, if the owner of the dog noticed that the eyes are watering.
In order to continue treatment of conjunctivitis in a dog, factors that may aggravate the condition of the animal must be excluded. Namely, you should not physically load the pet, you need to look so that no dirt gets into your eyes. Therefore, it is better to abandon walking in windy weather. You should know that conjunctivitis is a contagious disease. Therefore, it is better to avoid contact of the animal with other dogs.
What drugs should be used to treat conjunctivitis?
It is better to contact a veterinarian in case of an ailment in order for him to examine and prescribe treatment. If conjunctivitis has an acute form of the course, then the veterinarian will prescribe drops with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory effect. Also, the doctor will prescribe special ointments. The following drops are usually prescribed:
- "Sulfacyl sodium." These drops come in different concentrations from 10 to 30 percent.
- Levomycetin.
- Kanamycin.
- Sofradex
Also, in the treatment of conjunctivitis, ointments are prescribed, such as:
- "Tetracycline."
- "Chlortetracycline."
- Etazolova.
- "Sulfacyl-sodium."
If the dog has large swelling, then use special mixtures to alleviate the condition of the pet.
If you doubt your own abilities for the treatment of conjunctivitis or the assistance provided does not lead to positive results, it is necessary to contact a veterinary clinic in order for the animal to receive professional assistance.
Folk methods
What to do if a dog has conjunctivitis? Treatment with folk remedies at home will help.
If the animal was in conditions of increased danger, it is necessary to make a thorough examination of the eyes and wipe them with boiled water. You should know that it is necessary to wipe both, even if one is struck. This is done for prevention, since conjunctivitis tends to pass to the second eye.
In addition to boiled water, it is recommended to use a solution of boric acid with a concentration of 2% for rubbing the eyes. Rubbing the eyes should be done several times a day, namely 2 or 3 times. In no case should you increase the concentration of the solution in the treatment of such an ailment as conjunctivitis in dogs.
Treatment at home allows in addition to boric acid to wipe the dog's eyes with tea. You need to brew black, you can also use bags. When washing the eyes, clots and mucus that form in the eyes should be removed. If necessary, rinse several times. Also, using a cotton swab, it is necessary to remove dried formations on the skin around the dog’s eyes. Wipe the animal’s eye from the outer to the inner edge. If you need to rinse the eye several times, then you need to take a new swab every time. Particular care should be taken when wiping a second, non-infected. It is necessary to take all security measures in order not to transfer the infection. It is better if the animal at the time of exacerbation of the disease will be in a darkened room. It is also recommended that the pet does not comb its eyes.
Conjunctivitis Prevention
It should be said that it is always better to prevent any disease than to treat it. Particular attention in preventive measures should be given to dog breeds that are at risk and can easily injure him because of the structure of the shape of the eye. But in other cases, you should also properly care for your eyes. The owner of the dog should regularly check the eyes of the animal. If any signs of conjunctivitis appear, the veterinarian should appear in order to take measures to treat this ailment.
A person needs to monitor the growth of a dog’s eyelashes. This must be done in order to remove in time those that can grow into the shell of the eye, since the ingrown cause conjunctivitis.
If the dog has long hair and there is a chance that it will get into the eyes, then you should cut it in the area around the eyes. This measure will protect the eyes from the appearance of villi.
Do not allow the dog to stick its head out of the car window while moving the latter. This behavior of the animal can lead not only to the occurrence of conjunctivitis, but also to the appearance of otitis media. There is also the possibility of injury during the trip.
It is better to avoid situations when the dog makes his way through the bushes or frolic in the sand.
For preventive purposes, it is necessary to wipe the dog’s eyes after walking or in the evening. It is also important to see a veterinarian so that he makes an examination of the animal and identifies any ailments at an early stage, since neglected forms are always more difficult to treat.
Little conclusion
Now you know how conjunctivitis manifests itself in dogs. We also wrote what should be done to protect the pet from such an ailment.