Another cause would be an underlying eye condition. While the infection typically starts in one eye, in rare cases, it may become contagious, and can spread to the uninfected eye. If you suspect your dog is suffering from pink eye, it is essential to have your pup examined by a professional.
They can determine the type, cause, severity, and then recommend a course of treatment so your furry friend can get back to top-notch health again. The main types of pink eye in animals include infectious and non-infectious. Causes of both infectious and non-infectious pink eye in dogs can include:. A professional will be able to determine which form of pink eye your dog is suffering from and recommend the best treatments to combat the infection. In rare cases, a dog can give a human pink eye.
Be sure to wash your hands frequently throughout the day to avoid spreading the infection onto other surfaces. If your pup has pink eye, always wash your hands whenever they come into contact with the infected area. In many cases, eye drops are an important part of treating pink eye in dogs, and your veterinarian will show you how to safely administer the drops.
Your veterinarian may prescribe topical eye drops to reduce inflammation and fight any infection, or in some cases to stimulate tear production and lubricate the surface of the eye. These eye drops can contain antibiotics, topical steroids, or compounds that stimulate tear production. Sometimes, a systemic medication may be required to treat the underlying condition, especially if the cause is viral or bacterial.
Some causes of pink eye are nearly impossible to prevent, for example dry eye. Breeders can perform eye exams on the dogs they would like to breed to make sure they do not pass on inherited conditions like entropion.
Owners should keep their dogs up-to-date on vaccines such as distemper to help prevent some of the viral causes of conjunctivitis. You can also supervise dogs at play to prevent trauma and discourage brachycephalic dogs from engaging in behaviors that might lead to eye damage, such as sniffing around thorn bushes or provoking cats. You should never let him stick his head out of the window of a moving car for numerous reasons, one of which being that flying dirt and debris could enter his eyes.
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Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid. Additional Resources AKC. However, as always, it's best to consult your veterinarian about your dog's specific case to determine how careful you should be until their conjunctivitis clears up. Graham adds that this is not usually the case for conjunctivitis in cats , which she says is "usually caused by a virus herpesvirus or other infectious agent that can be contagious between cats and can occasionally be spread to humans.
Your vet will likely perform a variety of diagnostic tests to determine and develop the treatment plan that is best for your dog. Eye drops are one of the most common treatments for pink eye in both dogs and humans, but the specific drops may differ depending on your dog's case. Your vet can determine what eye drops are best for your dog and show you how to safely apply them.
Certain causes of pink eye may require other treatments, such as medications or surgical procedures. While it might be tempting to try home remedies to treat your dog's conjunctivitis at home, this is not a good idea, and it is absolutely worth it to take your dog to a veterinarian to get a diagnosis first.
While some causes of pink eye in dogs are nearly impossible to prevent, such as dry eye or entropion, many conjunctivitis cases can be prevented. According to Graham, one of the easiest actions you can take to reduce the chances of your dog developing pink eye is to avoid letting your dog hang their head out of a moving car's window.
Not only can your dog's eyes be struck by flying debris, but even the wind itself can irritate your dog's eyes. Ensuring your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations can also help reduce the likelihood of viral causes of conjunctivitis.
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