Like us humans, our eyes are very sensitive. Some dogs are even very susceptible and often suffer from watery, inflamed, and swollen eyes. This problem is not to be trifled with. Heavily watery and red eyes can of course be treated quickly at home with a cream or drops. However, it is better to take your four-legged friend to the vet first. An eye infection can have many different causes and these should be treated directly at the root. However, you don’t have to worry too much if you treat it promptly. Conjunctivitis in dogs is one of the most common problems that can occur. In this article, we want to answer why this happens, how conjunctivitis in dogs can be treated and why it is so important to visit a veterinarian, even if you may still have drops or cream at home from last time.
What is conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis in dogs is also known as conjunctivitis. Some dog breeds have a hereditary predisposition and are more prone to inflamed eyes. These breeds include Great Danes, Boxers, and Cocker Spaniels. But Chihuahuas and other breeds with particularly large eyes are also increasingly susceptible.
In some dogs, the inflammation comes back again and again due to a misalignment of the eyelid. This is referred to as a so-called roll lid. Even if the lid gap is too close to the eye or is reduced, conjunctivitis in dogs always occurs. Many four-legged friends also suffer from a cherry eye and this is also repeatedly accompanied by conjunctivitis. This can also be triggered simply by hair that grows in the animal’s eye.
Consistent and attentive care of the hair around the eyes can quickly eliminate a source of danger. If you counted on a reputable breeder when choosing your dog, you can also minimize the risk of a hereditary predisposition.
Responsible breeders will not breed parents suffering from chronic conjunctivitis. In this way, it cannot be inherited. Dogs from so-called multipliers and backyard breeders tend to suffer more from eye problems.
Is conjunctivitis dangerous in dogs?
Conjunctivitis is not dangerous as long as it is treated quickly. However, conjunctivitis is very uncomfortable and painful for the dog. If the inflammation in the eye is not treated, it can lead to serious problems.
The different forms of conjunctivitis
In dogs, a distinction is made between acute conjunctivitis and chronic conjunctivitis. In addition, a distinction is also made as to whether it is an infectious or non-infectious conjunctivitis. Infectious conjunctivitis is contagious.
If your dog suffers from this disease, it is important that you pay attention to absolute hygiene. In particular, the applicators of cream or drops must be kept clean and sterile. Otherwise the dog would get infected again and again. Also, the remainder of the medication must be discarded after use and the inflammation has subsided. This cream and drops are not to be saved and reused. Here, too, there would be a risk that germs and bacteria would still be on the applicators.
Acute conjunctivitis is usually triggered by drafts, foreign objects such as sand, pollen or dust, sunlight, eyelashes and ingrown hairs. Cream, shampoo and other care products, cleaning agents and perfume can also trigger acute conjunctivitis in dogs.
Chronic conjunctivitis in dogs is mainly caused by problems with the eyelid, eyes that have been bred too large, cherry eyes or ingrown eyelashes and hair. Most dogs suffering from chronic conjunctivitis have a hereditary predisposition.
Is conjunctivitis in dogs contagious?
There are contagious and non-contagious variants of canine conjunctivitis.
Symptoms of conjunctivitis in dogs
If your dog has problems with its eyes and conjunctivitis is in the offing, this can usually be recognized very quickly. If your four-legged friend is constantly blinking and rubbing and scratching his eyes, then you should check immediately. Most of the time, the eyes are already red and watering. Dogs are also particularly sensitive to light. If he whines, whines, and turns his head away from the sun and squints as he walks, you should know something is wrong.
If tears have already formed in the fur under the eyes, then the four-legged friend has been suffering from eye problems for some time. Even if pus or secretions leak out of the eye, the four-legged friend may have had conjunctivitis for some time. Conjunctivitis usually affects only one eye. If both eyes are red or watery, an allergy is also likely. Therefore, the next step should definitely be to the vet so that you can clarify the problem.
Treatment of conjunctivitis in dogs
If the vet has diagnosed conjunctivitis in the dog, they will immediately prescribe a cream or eye drops. There are different preparations for this, which must be precisely tailored to the type of conjunctivitis. It is therefore important that the vet prescribes this and that you do not buy any cream or drops from the pharmacy. The drops or creams can be anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, analgesic, moisturizing or nourishing. Antiviral drops or antifungal creams must also be prescribed just in case if viruses or fungi are the triggers for the inflammation in the eye.
If the infection was caused by a foreign body, the vet will remove it first. The vet now also checks very carefully whether there is also an injury to the cornea. In this case, special gels are often prescribed, which last longer on the surface of the eye and serve as protection.
It can also happen that the inflammation was triggered by an eyelash or hair. The vet will now show you how you can better trim eyelashes and hair in the future so that this does not happen again. If the eyelashes grow incorrectly and keep penetrating the eye, you can also consider removing these eyelashes permanently.
What to do with conjunctivitis in dogs with home remedies?
Eyebright is an old household remedy that works well against mild inflammation in the eye. The drops from the plant are available in every pharmacy that stocks homeopathic medicines.
Home remedies for conjunctivitis in dogs
An old home remedy for eye problems is eyebright. This plant can be used in both humans and animals. Drops with eyebright are freely available in pharmacies. But they should really only be used for minor ailments, or to bridge the gap until you get to the vet.
Prevent conjunctivitis in dogs
Hygiene and proper care help to prevent conjunctivitis in dogs. The eyes should always be kept clean. Dogs tend to have some secretions in their eyes in the morning. This must always be properly removed. Dust and other dirt should always be wiped away immediately. So they can not irritate the eye and also not tickle. If something tickles the dog’s eye, he will try to wipe it away with his paws. As a result, he can injure himself and contract an infection.
You also have to make sure that your four-legged friend never gets his hair or eyelashes in his eyes. Checking for this should be part of your regular grooming routine. It is also important that you never bathe your dog with human shampoo or shower gel. These are too sharp for the animal. If these get in the eye, they can become irritated and inflamed.
How do I give my dog ​​eye ointment?
Hygiene is very important when administering the eye ointment. The dog’s eyes and your hands must be sterile cleaned. Then you fixate the dog, hold the animal’s head up and dribble cream or drops into the slightly parted eye. Caution: The applicator must not touch the eye.
Tips on how to give dogs eye drops or eye ointment
It is best if you let your vet show you how to apply the ointment or how to put in the eye drops. At home, you should always strictly follow the instructions on the package insert. Before the medicine is applied, the eyes must be cleaned with a sterile solution and your hands washed properly. It’s always best when two people work together. One can fix the four-legged friend while the other concentrates on the instillation of the medicine. If you have to do it alone, let your four-legged friend sit down between your knees and now fix them with your knees. However, the dog should not be stressed. Be careful not to hurt him when you hold him. Have a treat ready for afterwards. A muzzle grip is now performed with one hand. This is how you point the dog’s head upwards. With the finger of the same hand, the eye is now very slightly spread open. With the other hand you now drip the cream or the drops into the eye. The applicator should never touch the eye itself. If this was the case, you should get a new bottle immediately to avoid further infection. Now you let go of the dog. He is allowed to blink, so that the cream or drops are optimally distributed. But he mustn’t scratch his eyes. The best way to keep him away from this is with a special treat.
Can you take Bepanthen eye ointment for dogs?
In and of itself, the Bepanthen eye ointment can also be used for dogs. However, you should only do this if there is a slight inflammation and only as a bridging measure until you can take your dog to the vet. Even if you are sure that it is not an infectious inflammation, you can use this cream.
Conjunctivitis in dogs – conclusion
Conjunctivitis in dogs can happen again and again. If this is treated promptly, it will disappear again quickly and the dog does not have to expect any consequences. However, it is important that you always consult a veterinarian and have the right medication prescribed for your four-legged friend. However, regular grooming and hygiene can prevent eye infections. You can see quite clearly that something is wrong with your four-legged friend’s eyes. If the dog is rubbing his eyes more, it is red, watering or swelling, then the next step should be to see the vet. With the right treatment, conjunctivitis can be cured very quickly.
