The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane that lines the inside of the eye socket and eyelids (including the third eyelid). “Conjunctiv” refers to the part of the eye that is affected and “itis” means inflammation, so conjunctivitis is simply inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye (sometimes referred to as 'pink eye'). There are lots of things that can cause conjunctivitis.

The three types of conjunctivitis are allergic conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, and viral conjunctivitis.

Can Dogs Get Conjunctivitis?

Yes… dog conjunctivitis is most definitely real! In this article we help you to understand this common problem, what to do if you suspect your pet is affected, and tips on dog conjunctivitis treatment. Conjunctivitis is a common condition and is usually straight forward to treat. It’s important to contact your vet as soon as you notice any abnormalities to your dog’s eye though.

If left untreated conjunctivitis is not only uncomfortable for your dog but can result in permanent trauma to their eyes. Read on for how to diagnose and how to treat conjunctivitis in dogs…

Conjunctivitis in Dogs Symptoms

Clinical signs of conjunctivitis include discharge from the eye, sticky eyelids, blinking more than usual, rubbing at the face, a pink eye, or changes to the whites of the eye. You may notice that the pink conjunctiva is swollen and more obvious than usual. Conjunctivitis may start in one eye, but often spreads to both eyes. Conjunctivitis can be infectious, so if you have more than one dog, you may notice your other pets become affected too.

Causes of Dog Conjunctivitis

A number of different eye conditions can cause conjunctivitis. Many are sudden in onset and easily treatable. Others may be related to long-term diseases and can be more difficult to treat.

Irritation from a foreign bodies like grass seeds or trauma like a cat scratch can cause conjunctivitis. In these cases, treatment is usually rapidly effective once the cause has been removed.

Conjunctivitis in dogs often occurs as a result of some other eye problem. In dogs with sagging skin the deformity of the eyelids can make them more prone to eye infections. Dogs with flatter faces may be more prone to blocked tear ducts, which in turn can predispose to conjunctivitis. In some dogs the eyelids turn inwards and hairs on the eyelid can rub against the eye causing damage, increasing the risk of infection.

A further problem in some dogs is abnormal tear production (a condition known as dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca). This is where inadequate lubrication of the eyes can cause damage to the eye surface. Conjunctivitis can appear more likely in certain breeds, predisposed from conditions such as nodular episcleritis in collies (where small lumps may appear in the eye).

Bacterial infections and viral infections of the eye can present as conjunctivitis, as can allergies. Disease of the immune system can also cause conjunctivitis. These diseases aren’t common but can be difficult to treat.

Can You Catch Conjunctivitis From a Dog?

Yes, but it’s uncommon. Some bacteria that can cause conjunctivitis in dogs can also cause this condition in people. It’s sensible to always wash your hands thoroughly after spending time with your pet if they have conjunctivitis. If you notice symptoms in you or your family, speak to your GP and let them know your dog has conjunctivitis too.

Dog Conjunctivitis Treatments

In most cases conjunctivitis is treated by the application of drops or ointments to the eye. You may need to bathe your dog’s eye to clear away discharge and your vet will explain how to do this.

Eye drops for dog conjunctivitis can be hard to apply to some dogs, but your vet will be able to show you how to do this safely. Always let your vet know if you’re struggling to get the drops in your dogs’ eye, as they may be able to offer alternative dog conjunctivitis medicine to help your dog. Often drops need to be given multiple times a day, which can be stressful for you and your pet.

Let your vet know if you can’t manage, so they can help you out. Sometimes with particularly stubborn eye infections in dogs, antibiotic treatment may also need to be given by injection or tablet.

It’s essential to treat any underlying cause of conjunctivitis at the same time – if these aren’t dealt with, the problem will keep coming back. Treatment for dogs with conjunctivitis may be needed to control problems with the immune system and if the eye is too dry then replacement tears may be needed. If this is the case, they’re most likely to be needed for the rest of your dog’s life.

Your vet may start off with standard conjunctivitis treatments. But if things aren’t improving, they may need to do some further tests and then try some different treatment options.

Conjunctivitis in dogs is a common condition, but there are usually some straightforward treatment options available. Most dogs will make a full recovery following the correct treatment. Always speak to your vet if you’re concerned.

Everypaw Dog Insurance

Everypaw's Dog Insurance comes with 24/7 unlimited access to vets and vet nurses that can help with your pet's health, care, nutrition and behaviour. So you can rest assured your pup will be well looked after.

Get a quote

 

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis: www.vetlexicon.com/canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.