Description, causes, symptoms and treatment of conjunctivitis in dogs

Such a disease, as conjunctivitis, can occur in a pet. In dogs, it has a chronic form. The animal has an ocular connective membrane. Treatment of conjunctivitis in dogs is a long process. This disease can lead to loss of vision. But if you pay attention to him and treat him in time, then there is a high probability that the owner of the dog will be able to rid himself of this ailment of his pet for a long time.

Why does the disease appear?

Conjunctivitis may occur for several reasons. Usually this is due to some external effect on the ocular membrane. Also, insects can damage the eye.

The contact of wool in the eyes can cause conjunctivitis. Different microorganisms can damage the transparent shell. Corrosive smoke and gases can cause inflammation of the eye. An animal can grow eyelashes in the eye. Allergies can also cause conjunctivitis in an animal. If allergic conjunctivitis is present in dogs, the treatment will be to exclude the source of its occurrence. To provoke the onset of the disease, sand, grass, or other plants caught in the eye may fall. Viruses, fungi and infections contribute to the inflammation of the transparent shell of the eye.

In addition to the above reasons for the appearance of conjunctivitis, this ailment can arise due to other already existing diseases - such as distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus infections.

There are breeds of dogs that, because of their physiology, are at risk for conjunctivitis. Such species include Pekingese and French Bulldogs. The reason that they are more prone to this disease is the shape of the eyes. Namely, they are located skilfully. Therefore, dogs can easily injure the eye and damage its shell, which, in turn, will lead to the appearance of conjunctivitis.

How to determine if the dog has eye problems?

First of all, it should be noted that the disease can be of various types. Treatment of conjunctivitis in a dog depends on its type. It happens:

1. Follicular conjunctivitis.
2. Catarrhal.
3. Purulent conjunctivitis.

These manifestations of the disease have different signs and symptoms. Therefore, in order to identify this or that species, it is necessary to know the features of each and the way they flow.

Follicular conjunctivitis of dogs

Treatment of this disease can be carried out at home. This conjunctivitis is formed on the inner wall of the third century, which acquires a dark red color. Inflammation of the transparent shell of the eye begins .

Catarrhal conjunctivitis

It flows in an acute form. The dog's eye is watering and flowing. Usually, this disease becomes chronic.

Purulent conjunctivitis

How does purulent conjunctivitis appear in dogs? Treatment of the disease should take into account the peculiarities of its course. The main sign of this type of conjunctivitis is the depressed or depressed state of the animal. The eye swells up, turns red, and pus appears. Initially, the secretions have a liquid structure, and then become dense.

Conjunctivitis in dogs. Symptoms and treatment at home

Many owners of dogs are interested in the question, is it possible to do something independently? What is the treatment for 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 taken with the first symptoms of conjunctivitis. Namely, if the owner of the dog noticed that the pet has watery eyes.

In order to continue treatment of conjunctivitis in a dog, it is necessary to exclude factors that can aggravate the condition of the animal. Namely, do not load the pet physically, you need to look so that no dirt gets in your eyes. Therefore, it is better to abandon walks 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 I use to treat conjunctivitis?

It is better in case of an illness to apply to the veterinarian, in order for him to make an examination and prescribe a treatment. If the conjunctivitis has an acute form of flow, the veterinarian will prescribe drops with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory action. Also, the doctor will prescribe special ointments. Usually the following drops are prescribed:

1. "Sulfacil sodium". These drops vary in concentration from 10 to 30 percent.
2. "Levomycitin."
3. "Kanamycin".
4. "Sofraks".

Also, in the treatment of conjunctivitis, ointments are prescribed, such as:

1. "Tetracycline."
2. "Chlortetracycline".
3. «Etazolovaya».
4. "Sulfacyl-sodium".

If the dog has large swelling, then use special mixtures to alleviate the condition of the pet.

If you doubt your own ability to treat conjunctivitis, or if the help provided does not lead to positive results, then you need to contact the veterinary clinic in order for the animal to be provided with professional help.

Folk methods

What should I do if my dog has conjunctivitis? Treatment with folk remedies at home will help.

If the animal was in an environment of increased danger, it is necessary to perform a thorough examination of the eyes and wipe them with boiled water. You should know that you need to wipe both, even if one is hit. This is done for prevention, since conjunctivitis has the property of shifting to the second eye.

In addition to boiled water, a solution of boric acid with a concentration of 2% is recommended for rubbing the eyes. Wipe the eyes several times a day, namely 2 or 3 times. In no case should the concentration of the solution be increased in the treatment of a disease such as conjunctivitis in dogs.

Treatment at home allows, in addition to boric acid, to wipe the dog's eyes with tea. It is necessary to brew black, you can also use sachets. When washing eyes, remove the clots and mucus that form in the eyes. If necessary, it should be washed several times. Also, by means of a cotton swab, it is necessary to remove the dried formations on the skin around the dog's eyes. Wipe the eye of the animal from the outer to the inner edge. If you need to wash the eye several times, then you need to take a new swab each time. Especially, you should be careful when rubbing the second, uninfected. It is necessary to take all security measures in order not to transfer the infection. It is better if the animal at the moment of exacerbation of the disease will be in a darkened room. It is also recommended that the pet be careful not to comb the eyes.

Prevention of conjunctivitis

It should be said that it is always better to prevent a disease than to treat it. Particular attention in preventive measures should be given to breeds of dogs that are at risk and because of the shape of the eye can easily injure it. But in other cases, you should also look after your eyes properly. The dog owner should regularly inspect the eyes of the animal. If there are any signs of conjunctivitis, it should appear to the veterinarian in order to take measures to treat this ailment.

Man needs to monitor the growth of the dog's eyelashes. This must be done in order to remove in time those that can grow into the skin of the eye, since the ingrown ones cause conjunctivitis.

If the dog has a long coat and there is a chance that it will strike the eye, then it should be cut in the eye area. This measure will protect the eyes from getting into them villi.

It is not necessary to allow a dog to stick its head out of the car window while driving the latter. This behavior of the animal can lead not only to the emergence of conjunctivitis, but also to the appearance of otitis. And there is a likelihood of injury during the trip.

It is better to avoid situations that the dog makes his way through the bushes or frolic on 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 be shown to the veterinarian so that he does an inspection of the animal and identifies any ailments at an early stage, since neglected forms are always more difficult to treat.

A small conclusion

Now you know how conjunctivitis manifests in dogs. We also wrote what should be done to save the pet from such an ailment.