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Dog Conjunctivitis"Dog conjunctivitis is caused by either some type of infection or is a result of another condition such as a deformity in the eyelid or in the way the eyelashes are shaped. Treatment involves resolving the underlying cause (most often) or treating the infection." Canine conjunctivitis, sometimes called pink eye, is an infection of the conjuntiva, which is the tissue coating the eye and lining the eyelids. It can be caused by a number of things, including viral infections, bacterial infections, allergy, a foreign object in the eye, certain parasites, corneal diseases, and disorders of the tear ducts. In most cases pink eye is a secondary infection from a primary problem elsewhere in the body. Dog Conjunctivitis SymptomsSymptoms of canine conjunctivitis include a pinkish colored eyeball, inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes around the eye, and discharge from the eye. Your dog may blink his eyes excessively or may have trouble blinking normally. He may squint or have trouble opening his eye all the way.Because conjunctivitis causes dogs to be more sensitive to the light, you dog may prefer to stay inside. He may start sleeping more during the daytime. Conjunctivitis can cause the eye to feel irritated or itchy, so your dog may rub his face against furniture or the floor, trying to relive the discomfort. He may also paw at his face. Conjunctivitis does not effect your dog's ability to see. Dog Conjunctivitis DiagnosisYour vet can probably make a diagnosis of conjunctivitis just by looking at your dog’s eye and examining it carefully. He or she may want to do some tests, however.Causes of canine conjunctivitis include: * chronic irritation One test the vet may do is called a flurecein stain exam. In this test, an orange dye is put in your dog’s eye and then your dog’s eye is examined under a special light to look for damage to the cornea or foreign matter in the eye. Another test is called the Schirmer tear test. This test determines whether your dog’s eye is producing sufficient tears. Your vet may also take a swab of the discharge from your dog’s eye to do a bacterial culture. Dog Conjunctivitis TreatmentIf you see signs of dog conjunctivitis in your dog, look in his eye to see if you can see any foreign matter, such as an eyelash. If you see something, try flushing it out with water. You can also try using artificial tears, the kind sold at pharmacies for people. If that doesn’t work, or if your dog’s eye doesn’t seem better after removing the foreign object, you’ll need to take him to the vet. The object may have scratched his cornea or otherwise damaged his eye.Keep your dog’s eye as clean and free of discharge as you can. Wipe the area around the eye with a warm, wet wash cloth. If both eyes are affected, use a separate wash cloth for each eye. Your vet may prescribe oral antibiotics or may prescribe an antibiotic eye ointment. Medicated eye drops may also be prescribed. Make sure you use these for as long as prescribed, even if your dog’s eye looks better. Natural Medicine for Eye InfectionsThere are natural options to help promote eye health. Given the importance of treatment you should definitely consult with your veterinarian. Herbal ingredients such as burdock and rosemary act to remove toxins and introduce anti-septic properties into the eye. One product worth considering is Pet Alive Eye-Heal, a natural treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis and feline eye infection.SourcesWhen Your Dog Gets PinkeyeStinnett, Suzanna Clinical Approach to the Dog with Red Eye (s) From Dog Conjunctivitis to More on Dog Eye Infections
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