Dog Eye Infections: Signs & Treatments

Eye infections come in many different forms as the eye is a complex part of the anatomy that can get infections in different areas. One of the most common forms of eye infection is conjunctivitis. A dog can get this when the thin layer of tissue covering the front of the eye becomes infected.

Uveitis is another type of infection of the eye, it’s an infection of the uveal tract which is in the middle of the eye.

Our beloved pets can also suffer from infections of the cornea, in or around the eyelids and even in the tear ducts. All infections may need different treatments depending on the cause and where it’s located.

There are almost too many causes of eye infections to be able to properly count them all. Eye infections can be caused by bacteria entering an area of the eye often causing swelling and pain.

Several doggy viruses can be the cause of eye infections like canine influenza and distemper, some are more severe than others. Dog allergies caused by smoke, food or ingredients in shampoo products that cause the immune system to try and fight it off can cause infections of the eye as well.

Trauma of the eye along with foreign objects becoming stuck in the eye or just causing damage can cause infections along with parasites. One of the lesser-known worms, the eyeworm can infest the eye and it’s even zoonotic so can be passed along to owners if they aren’t careful.

Symptoms of eye infections do vary somewhat depending on the issue and where it’s located, however most have similar signs. The eye is quite a small area so an infection anywhere in the eye can look very similar to one another. Some of the symptoms of an eye infection you’re looking for include:

Depending on what symptoms your dog is showing will determine the tests and treatments that will work for them.

A bacterial infection may need swabs taken to test and find the best treatment that will work to clear up the infection. If the infection is caused by an allergy the best course of treatment would be figuring out what is causing it like pollen or dust. They may be given antihistamines or even recommended to change their diet to remove grain or change the protein fed to them to try and exclude the food that is causing a reaction.

In some cases, trauma to the eye that causes an infection will need immediate care as if the damage is severe enough, they may need the eye to be removed. The treatment will differ vastly depending on the underlying cause of the infection.

In some cases where there might be something like a blade of grass stuck in the eye which can be removed easily, an eye infection may clear up quickly without the need to visit the vet but in most cases, it’s best to take them to the vet to make sure they don’t need any further treatment.

Most infections will need either eyedrops or a course of antibiotics to clear up faster. You may think that they just have a minor infection but upon a check-up there may be a more severe underlying issue like an infection around the cornea. The Community Pet Clinic will be able to better advise you on how bad an infection is.

Treatment options can range from medicated eye drops to oral medication or even the removal of an eye if an infection has gotten too bad and is beyond help. A vet will be able to give the best advice on what course of treatment is the best option for them to get to the root of the cause and keep any suffering to an absolute minimum.

Sometimes eye infections are unavoidable, and accidents happen but there are things owners can do to try and prevent them where you are able to. Keeping them up to date on their parasite treatment and vaccinations is the first way in which owners can best protect their beloved pets from any infections.

Feeding a complete and balanced diet free from any allergens will help keep your pup free from any reactions to the food they’re sensitive to. Keeping their eyes free from dirt and their coat nice and clean can help to avoid getting any foreign objects stuck in them. If you walk your dog in long grass quite often, check their eyes after every walk for any stray grass seeds.

For everything you need to keep your dog happy and free from infections and all of your other dog necessities, take a look at our wide range of products online and in-store.