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Conjunctivitis in Dogs

Conjunctivitis in Dogs

Conjunctivitis, Pink Eye

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Updated on September 26, 2024
SUMMARY OF CONTENT
Conjunctivitis is inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, which is the tissue lining the eyelids and attaching to the eyeball near the cornea.
SEVERITY:
Severity is mild to moderate
  • Time to Cure
    Resolves within days to weeks after treatment
  • Treatment Icon
    Treatable by a veterinarian or by the pet parent
  • Prevention Icon
    No known prevention
  • Spread Icon
    Transmission may be possible between animals
  • Lab Icon
    Diagnosis requires physical exam, ophthalmic exam
VERY COMMON IN
Any breed or age of dog can develop conjunctivitis. Dogs with droopy eyes are more commonly affected, as well as breeds with known breed-related conditions such as Collies and German Shepherds.

Symptoms & Signs

Dogs with conjunctivitis will have redness and enlarged blood vessels in the sclera (the white part of the eyeball). They may also have increased tearing, yellow or green mucoid eye discharge, squinting or light sensitivity, or elevation of the third eyelid. The eyelids may get stuck together if there is a large amount of dried eye discharge. The dog may rub their eyes with the front paws or may rub their face along carpet or other objects.

Diagnosis

Conjunctivitis is a simple diagnosis based on symptoms and the appearance of the eye; however, the cause of the conjunctivitis may be more difficult to diagnose. Diagnostic testing may include measuring tear production (Schirmer tear test), measuring the intraocular pressure (tonometry), and checking for defects in the cornea (fluorescein stain). If a foreign body is suspected, a topical solution is applied to numb the surface of the eye and a cotton tipped applicator is used to examine under both eyelids and the third eyelid. Additional testing may include culture, cytology, biopsy or allergy testing to determine the cause and provide an accurate treatment plan.

Causation

Conjunctivitis has a variety of causes, including allergies, bacterial or viral infection, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS, chronic dry eye), uveitis, ophthalmic foreign body, and corneal ulcer or abrasion. Inflammation in the eye causes the blood vessels in the sclera (the white part of the eye) to increase in size which causes the red or pink appearance.

Treatments

icon AT-HOME CARE
Use a warm, wet washcloth to gently remove any eye discharge. Administer all medications as prescribed by your veterinarian. Limit exposure to bright lights or sunlight to ensure comfort during recovery. Conditions with the eye can be very serious, so you should always partner with your local veterinarian if you notice inflammation in one or both eyes of your pet.
icon SUPPORTIVE CARE
None
icon MEDICATIONS
Medications may vary depending on the cause of conjunctivitis. Often eye drops or ointments are prescribed; these may contain a combination of antibiotics, antifungals, and anti-inflammatories. Oral antibiotics or anti-inflammatories (steroids or NSAIDS) may be used to reduce inflammation. Eliminating any triggers of irritation may be necessary depending on the cause of the conjunctivitis.
icon DEVICES
An Elizabethan collar (e-collar or cone) may be used to prevent pawing or rubbing of the affected eye
icon SURGERY
Usually not necessary, but may be required if irritant involves an eyelid or eyelash abnormality.
icon SPECIALISTS
Most general practice veterinarians can diagnose and treat conjunctivitis. In rare cases, referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist may be recommended.

Cost Of Treatment

Most cases of conjunctivitis can be treated for under $500.

Recovery

Recovery may take one to two weeks. In general, treatment is continued for several days after the eye regains its normal appearance.

Monitoring

Monitor for signs of recurrence.

Prevention

No known prevention for most causes of conjunctivitis, with the exception of removing known irritants/allergens.

Questions about Conjunctivitis

My dog I heated uses tampon is it an emergency

Unfortunately I'm having a little trouble understand your question as I'm not sure what you mean by "My dog I heated uses tampons..." I'm wondering if Bella ate a tampon or if you wanted to use one on her while she is in heat. I will answer both to be safe. If she ate a tampon, then yes this is a medical emergency and she has to see a vet now. Tampons can easily cause obstructions in the GI tract, especially since they are absorbent and can get large in the stomach from liquid in there. if Bella ate a tampon, you need to take her into a vet immediately to get it removed. If she is on heat, no you cannot use a tampon to control her bleeding. It's not safe to use at all, and are not meant for dogs. You can put a diaper on her to catch any bloody discharge. There are dog specific diapers online and at pets stores, or you can use one made of a human child. Just cut a hole in it for her tail. Hopefully this answers your question. If it doesn't, I'm sorry and ask you post again in the forum for free to it can get answered!

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I have a cat that as a kitten was very ill. We got him from 7 months old. We knew he’d had cat flu prior to him coming here. He is now nearly 5 yrs old. He picks huge fights with our other cat. He keeps urinating and scratching at doors and windows around the house. We allow him to go out via the cat flap unlimited. What is happening to him

I'm glad to see that Pippin has been neutered because this eliminates that possibility of hormone-fueled behavioral changes and aggression. Behavioral changes in cats can occur at any point in time, and could be related to anxiety or stressful situations (even rearranging furniture or introducing new people to the home can be stressful to cats). Without a lot more information and observing Pippin's behaviors, I can't precisely tell you why these changes are occurring. It may be best to consult a veterinary behaviorist in your home so that they can observe everything firsthand. You can also try using calming pheromone collars or diffusers (Feliway is one example), and discussing the use of anxiety medication with Pippin's vet. I hope that all goes well!

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Hi! My cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes. He’s taking insulin and taking antibiotics for a Uti. It’s been 4 weeks and he wobles when he’s walking. He can’t jump up on the bed like he used to.He’s blood sugar is 250 it’s better than it used to. I don’t understand why he’s so wobbly.

Cats can develop what's called diabetic neuropathy, where their hindlegs become progressively weak. The best thing to do is try to get his diabetes under control as quickly as possible. Here is a link describing the conditon: http://www.diabeticcatcare.com/DCCCOK/Neuropathy.htm

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My senior cat has metastized cancer.17 yrs old. My vet gave her predizone1 and one half tabs a day.i wanted to know if i can just stop the meds.

Is there a reason you want to stop the prednisone? I would recommend not stopping it and if you feel it is better to stop the prednisone then I would recommend weaning off of the prednisone. I would discuss how to wean the prednisone with your veterinarian. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.

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My dog has an ear infection

Sorry to hear Marley isn't doing so well with his ears. It is not possible to tell from tge picture tve exact nature of the irritation but if it is indeed infected (typically red, hot, painful and smelly), he will need prescription medication from his regular vet. In the meantime I recommend gently cleaning tge outer war with cotton wool and a pet safe ear cleaner to reduce the build up of wax/discharge

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My dog vomited a pinkish colour. Does this look like blood vomit? She doesn’t have diarrhoea or anything else. Yesterday i fed her plain chicken with rice.

That is very red vomit, however, this color could be linked to a number of things including blood in the vomit, inflammation of the GI tract, having chewed on a toy this color, eaten a food item this color, or gotten into a plant or other item this color. If the vomiting continues, worsens, or other symptoms appear such as a painful or bloated abdomen, diarrhea or blood in the stool, or severe distress, I would schedule a veterinary appointment right away to rule out more severe issues. In the meantime I would continue the bland diet for 24 hours, and monitor for any additional vomiting or illness symptoms.

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Disclaimer

The information contained on this page is for educational purposes only. This medication should only be given under the advice of a veterinarian who has examined your pet under the laws applicable to your state of residence.