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Conjunctivitis in Dogs Causes, Treatments | Symptoms of Pink Eye in Dogs

Filed under: Dog Health — Tags: , , , — Nik @ 4:19 am

Conjunctivitis in Dogs:

The eyes are delicate organs that need to be rigorously protected from injury, exposure to dust, chemicals and sudden changes in light. Since the eyes are so sensitive, they are covered with a thin layer of protective tissue known as conjunctiva. Conjunctiva is a thin, moist lining that contains many tiny blood vessels. This lining is a protective barrier and efficiently traps any kind of debris that may have been produced due to invasion of bacteria and viruses. Conjunctivitis is quite a common problem in dogs. In fact, conjunctivitis is the only disease of the eyes that afflicts dogs.

Pink Eye in Dog Symptoms:

Conjunctivitis in dogs is usually characterized by inflammation of the eyelid and reddening of the eye. The dog may feel itching around the eye and could be found pawing at its face. There is secretion of a purulent fluid and debris from the infected eye.

Causes: The cause of conjunctivitis is usually viral in nature. Viruses like canine distemper may affect the eyes. Bacterial infections can also cause inflammation of the conjunctiva. A parasitic attack on the conjunctiva or the eyelids in a dog could also cause it to suffer from conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is often seen as a symptom of a corneal disease. It can also be caused due to a disorder of the tear ducts. When the tear ducts are not functioning properly, the eyes become more susceptible to bacterial and viral attacks. Though there are many other causes of conjunctivitis in dogs, the main cause is exposure of the eyes to foreign material. Plant matter, chemicals, sand and fibers etc may get in the eye, causing an infection.

Diagnosis: The first step to diagnosing conjunctivitis is to have a physical examination. Your veterinary doctor will perform a simple test to detect any superficial abrasions to the conjunctiva. A fluorescein staining test will also detect ulcers in the cornea, if any. A schirmer tear test is then conducted to check for any abnormalities in the dog’s tear ducts. Bacterial cultures or a test for canine distemper may be required. In a rare case, a biopsy may be necessary.

Conjunctivitis in Dogs Treatment:

The treatment is based on pain management and therapy for the present symptoms. If the diagnosis indicates an underlying problem, the doctor may treat the dog for the underlying condition too. If the problem is treated on time, conjunctivitis can be treated completely. However, if the doctor is able to find and treat the underlying problem, the chances of another infection in the future may diminish.