There’s nothing worse than seeing your furry friend suffer from a swollen or pink eye. When this happens, dog’s eyes get watery and dogs usually start to rub their faces and blink excessively.
There are many culprits that can cause an eye infection in dogs including bacterial infections and allergies so it’s hard to know what exactly is happening with your dog.
But, there’s no reason for panic as there are many home made remedies that can alleviate your pet’s pain while you wait to get an appointment with the veterinarian. In this article, we’re going to discuss how to treat a dog’s eye infection at home so you can learn which remedies are safe for your pet.
Conjunctivitis in Dogs
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane known as ‘conjunctiva’ of the eye. There are many symptoms that show that your dog is suffering from pink eye including a swollen eye, thick eye discharge and sensitivity to light. The most common cause of eye infection in dogs is conjunctivitis. This is a bacterial or viral infection that appears in the area that lines the eyelid with the eyeball.
When the tissue around the eyes gets red and watery this usually means that your dog is suffering from conjunctivitis or some other eye disease. Conjunctivitis can actually be caused by an infection, allergy or contact with a foreign body such as a parasite or a sharp object.
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from conjunctivitis is best to schedule an appointment to a veterinarian as soon as possible because the eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of the body.
The important thing you should know is that conjunctivitis won’t disappear on it’s own. What’s worse, if left untreated conjunctivitis can spread to the other eye and make a permanent damage to your dog’s eyes. Treating a dog’s eye infection is usually done with antibiotics, antihistamines and anti-inflammatory remedies.
Dog eye infection treatment at home
Saline Eye Drops
Saline eye drops also known as saline eye washes can temporarily alleviate your dog’s pain. With this medication you can rinse out the debris in the corners of your dog’s eye or get rid of any irritants in your dog’s eye.
If your dog is suffering from conjunctivitis or a mild eye allergy, saline drops can be useful because as we’ve mention before a dog’s eye infection won’t go away on it’s own.
It’s important to never use contact lens solutions to treat a dog’s eye infection as they contain added ingredients that can be harmful to the dog’s eye membrane. Also, don’t use any medications that are labeled as enzymatic or cleaning solutions.
Saline drops are easy to use – get your dog to stand in a calm manner and quickly squeeze the drops in the eye. You dog will start to blink which will help spread the saline. Saline eye drops can be purchased online, in pharmacies and pet shops.
E-Collar
The most problematic part of having a pet that suffers from an eye infection is they usually start to behave in a way that cause further damage to the eye.
They usually start to rub their eyes with various objects and scratch their head in the ground which can make matters even worse. If you dog is suffering from a dog’s eye infection, you might consider purchasing an e-collar while you wait for an appointment to the veterinarian.
While putting an e-collar won’t make the infection go away, it does help to prevent any further damage to the eye. When purchasing an e-collar keep in mind that it should big enough to stop your dog from scratching their eye on the ground. You can purchase e-collars online and from pet shops.
Cold Compress
While a cold compress won’t treat or cure a dog’s eye infection, it does help to alleviate the pain temporarily. They are very helpful when it comes to minimizing inflammation and swelling.
For fast results make sure to apply a cold compress on a closed eye several a times a day. Put the compress on the closed eye and keep it there for a couple of minutes. You can purchase cold compresses online, from pharmacies and pet shops.
Artificial Tears
Unlike saline eye drops, artificial tears contain a lubricant that can alleviate the pain in your dog’s eyes. If your dogs eyes are particularly red and irritated, artificial tears will provide moisture that will reduce the inflammation.
You can apply artificial tears a couple of times a day. Artificial tears are available in two forms: drops and ointment. They are available over the counter and online and are a solution for easing discomfort. However, is recommendable to contact a vet to make sure you choose the best solution for your pet.
All the solutions mentioned above can be useful in treating a dog’s eye infection. They can ease discomfort and minimize redness, irritation and inflammation.
However, it’s crucial to remember that your dog’s eye infection won’t disappear on it’s own and usually home remedies are not a strong solution for this type of condition.
If you notice that your pet is suffering from a pink eye, schedule an appointment to the veterinarian. By contacting a professional as soon as possible you will minimize the risk of your dog getting a permanent eye damage.
FAQ
- What causes eye infection in dogs?
There a number of culprits for an eye infection in dogs including bacteria, fungus spores, irritants and allergens such as smoke and shampoo.
- What does a dog eye infection look like?
The main dog eye infections include a swelling eye, excessive blinking, sensitivity to light and redness in the area around the eyes.
- How long does it take an eye infection to go away in dogs?
Depending on the severity of condition infection such as conjunctivitis can take a coupe of days or weeks to clear up.
- Will a dog’s eye infection go away on its own?
No, a dog’s eye infection won’t go away its own. You should consult a veterinarian as soon as you spot signs of an infection.
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