Dog eye infections are a common ailment in the animal kingdom. Although they can be pretty innocuous, sometimes they can cause serious problems for your pup and you should know when to worry. In this blog post, we will discuss how to treat dog eye infections, the difference between bacterial and viral infection, and what steps you should take if there is any concern about your puppy’s eyesight.
What Are the Symptoms of an Eye Infection in Dogs?
Dog eye infections can be a cause for concern. Although they are not unusual, especially in dogs with weak immune systems, you should know how to treat them and what steps to take if there is any sign of infection or pain. Symptoms of dog eye infections include: redness in the white part (sclera), swelling around the eyes or eyelids. Discharge from one or both eyes that may appear chunky like cottage cheese due to inflammation against the cornea. Which can interfere with vision and lead to blindness. If your pup displays these symptoms along with lethargy, loss of appetite and feverish behavior it is best to consult your vet immediately!
Bacterial vs Viral Infection
What causes an ear infection? Bacterial and viral infections can both cause dog eye infection but their symptoms are different.
Bacterial Infection
With a bacterial infection, the mucus is more yellow in color and has an unpleasant scent that may be accompanied by pain around your puppy’s eyes or on his eyelids (this will make him rub them with his paws). With this kind of infection, it is important to seek veterinary care immediately as the condition could spread quickly and lead to blindness if left untreated!
Viral Infection
A virus causes much milder symptoms than bacteria which means you might not notice there is something wrong with your cute little fur-ball until she develops serious problems like inflammation on her cornea. The good news however is that canine herpesvirus usually resolves itself within a week or two without any treatment so it should not be of great concern!
What to Do When Your Dog Gets an Eye Infection
Although most eye infections are harmless, they can require medical attention especially if your pup has a weak immune system. If you notice that there is anything wrong with her eyes, consult with your vet immediately and do the following: – Protect his eyes from scratches during playtime by taping them shut (just make sure he cannot eat the tape!)
Cleanse his face gently but thoroughly every day using hydrogen peroxide on a cotton swab; apply antibiotic ointment afterwards- this will help clear up infection fast. In case of pain give him ibuprofen orally according to weight as needed, DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOG ASPIRIN!
How Do You Know If Your Dog Has an Eye Infection?
When your puppy’s eyes look red, irritated and there is a discharge in her eye or around it (the greenish-yellow part). There may also be pain around the lids. Sometimes when bacteria get into the cornea they can cause swelling that will make him rub his face with his paws to soothe himself. If you see any of these symptoms consult with your vet immediately!
Avoiding Dog Eye Infections
The best way to keep dog eye infections at bay is by keeping their environment clean as well as providing them with high quality food complete with all essential nutrients for healthy living . Also, regular nail trimmings are key because if he has long nails walks on floors more likely than not he’ll end up scratching his face and eyes with his paws. Of course, there is always a possibility that your pup might develop an eye infection despite all efforts to prevent it so if you notice that he has any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact your vet immediately for further instructions!
Can I give my pet antibiotics myself or should I take him/her to the vet first
While in some cases antibiotics can be administered by pet owners, there are a lot of things that one needs to consider before doing so. For example, if your pup’s eye infection is caused by something like herpesvirus it will resolve itself within a week or two WITHOUT ANY TREATMENT.
That being said you may want to wait until after the course and see whether he still has redness on his eyes-if not then chances are good her infection is gone for good but if it persists definitely visit with your vet asap! Also, just because an antibiotic worked for someone else does not mean they’ll work well for your dog too. In fact , side effects such as diarrhea
Bottom Line
Dog’s eyes feel like they are burning, red and watery. Their eyes are also swollen or crusting around the eyelids. If this sounds familiar, then you might be dealing with a dog-eye infection! It’s important to understand how these types of infections occur in order to know what steps should be taken next. Here are some tips on how to help your furry friend before it gets worse: Bathe their paws every day. Keep them out of the mud so that dirt doesn’t get into their eyes Use an antibacterial ointment for dogs if there is any discharge coming from the eye (you can find one at most pet stores) -Give your pup lots of fresh air and exercise