Treatment of conjunctivitis in dogs. Oh, those smart dog eyes...

Redness of the conjunctiva. Purulent conjunctivitis in dogs is caused by bacteria and fungi. For recovery, qualified treatment using antibiotics is necessary.

The disease has only one cause - the proliferation of pathogenic microbes and fungi on the pet's conjunctiva. Here you need to understand that the body constantly encounters pathogens, but usually it can destroy them on its own (that is, it has resistance). However, in some cases, resistance to infection decreases.

Experts list a number of predisposing factors as follows:

• damage to the conjunctiva due to eye injury;
• hit chemical substance into the eye;
• infection in the eye with foreign bodies, such as sand, dust;
• infectious diseases of an endogenous nature;
• lack of vitamin A;
• burns or hypothermia;
• metabolic disease;
• ingrown eyelashes;
• any other

Yorkies suffer from conjunctivitis more often than other dogs. In this regard, owners of these breeds need to carefully monitor the health of their pet's eyes.

Symptoms of the disease

Most often, with the purulent form of conjunctivitis, inflammation develops in both eyes, but there are cases with damage to only one side. Determining the type of inflammation is not difficult, but to determine the type of pathogen it is necessary to take exudate from the conjunctiva.

Read also: Glaucoma - increased intraocular pressure in dogs

Acute purulent conjunctivitis

At acute form the symptoms are as follows:

• swelling of the eyelids;
• fear of light;
• blepharospasm;
• temperature rises;
• the conjunctiva turns red;
• severe pain in the conjunctiva and eyelids.

But the most characteristic symptom is purulent discharge from the eyes. They are thick white or with a yellow tint. In the morning, they glue the animal's eyelids together, which makes it difficult for him to open his eyes. Pus may have a slight admixture of blood; it accumulates on internal corner eyes, which causes wet eczema to form underneath.

Chronic purulent conjunctivitis

The disease becomes less noticeable. Photophobia and pain may disappear, but the conjunctiva often becomes bluish in color (due to stagnation of blood). In this case, part of the conjunctiva protrudes and becomes ulcerated and necrotic. The pus becomes thick, gray-yellow in color, unpleasant smell, its quantity decreases.

Treatment

With timely treatment, any complications can be avoided. But if the animal is not treated, then the inflammation spreads to the cornea and tear ducts. As a result, the dog goes blind, the disease becomes more complicated with the formation of purulent follicles and sepsis. It is possible to save a pet’s life in such severe cases, but it will not be possible to restore vision. Treatment consists of symptomatic and specific therapy with the mandatory use of antibiotics.

Specific therapy

Treatment may include local (ophthalmic) antibiotics and systemic ones, which are prescribed when the temperature rises, when the infection has already entered the blood.

Local antibiotics

Of course it's antiseptic eye drops containing antibiotics:

• Leopard. Ingredients: furatsilin and chloramphenicol. Has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Side effects not visible. Contraindication is high sensitivity. Dosage: 1-2 drops 3-4 times a day, course of treatment – ​​1-2 weeks.

Read also: Perthes disease in dogs - symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

• Diamond eyes. Ingredients: chlordixidine bigluconate, succinic acid, taurine. Has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-edema effects. There are no side effects observed. High sensitivity is a contraindication. Dosage: 1-2 drops 1-3 times a day for 2 weeks, the course can be repeated at intervals of 5-10 days.

• Dekta-2. The active ingredient is dexamethasone. There are no side effects observed. High sensitivity is a contraindication. Dosage: 2-3 drops 2-3 times a day until symptoms disappear.

Systemic antibiotics

These medications are prescribed when your dog has a fever because this indicates that germs have entered the bloodstream:

• Amoxicillin. It is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, and is available in the form of injection solutions. Dosage: 15 mg/kg, administered once every two days. Contraindication is high sensitivity to the drug.

• Sinulox. It is a tablet analogue of amoxicillin. Fed orally. Dosage: 12.5-25 mg/kg 2 times a day. Contraindication is high sensitivity to the drug.

• Albipen. Active ingredient is ampicillin. Available in the form of injection solutions and tablets for oral use. Dose for solution: 10-20 mg/kg, administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Dose for tablets: 20-40 mg/kg. In both cases, use 3 times a day.

• Tetracycline. Available in the form of tablets for oral use. Dosage: 10-20 mg/kg 3 times a day. Contraindication is high sensitivity to the drug.

• Gentamicin 8%. Available in the form of injection solutions. Dosage: 10-15 mg/kg 2 times a day. Administered subcutaneously, intravenously and intramuscularly. Contraindication is high sensitivity to the drug.

Conjunctivitis in dogs develops due to many reasons. It depends on them what treatment and preventive measures necessary for the animal. Most dog owners understand that this particular pathology is developing in the animal, because its symptoms are quite characteristic. However, it is important to know what type of conjunctivitis is in your case. Such conclusions can only be given by a veterinarian, with whom you need to make an appointment.

Types of conjunctivitis in dogs

The international classification identifies 4 types of conjunctivitis in dogs:

Catarrhal. May arise due to infectious diseases animal or due to mechanical damage to the membrane of the eye. This form appears severe swelling, redness of the eye, hyperemia and discharge from the eye in large quantities;

Purulent. It begins to develop if harmful bacteria and microorganisms enter the eye shell. The purulent form usually spreads to both eyes, develops rapidly and occurs in an acute form. The animal may suffer from blepharospasms, photophobia, swelling of the eyelids, and body temperature may rise to serious levels.

In the purulent form of the pathology, characteristic signs are observed from the eyes. yellow discharge with a gray tint, they have an unpleasant odor, and when they dry out, they form crusts to the eye. At severe course The disease causes darkening of the cornea. This form requires immediate surgical intervention, in otherwise, the dog may simply lose his sight;

Allergic conjunctivitis. This type of pathology is observed in animals that are prone to allergic reactions. The process of inflammation will begin when the allergen enters the conjunctiva. After this, there will be redness of the eyes and eyelids, severe lacrimation;

Follicular. This type develops after exposure to smoke, dust, foreign bodies, which affect the lymphatic follicles of the eyelids. Follicular conjunctivitis in dogs develops as a complication catarrhal form. Signs of this type are redness of the eyes, discharge of pus.

Causes of pathology

Conjunctivitis acts not only as an independent disease, but also as a symptom of another disease. When bacteria enters an animal's eye, disease immediately spreads. Most often this can happen when the animal's immunity weakens. In addition, veterinarians note a number of reasons that can give impetus to the development of eye disease in dogs:

• injury to the organ of vision;
• contact with chemicals in the eye;
• inflammatory processes concentrated on the eyelids or cornea of ​​the eye;
• getting small particles into the eye, such as dust, hair, etc.;
• infectious diseases of an endogenous nature;
• hypothermia of the animal;
• burns of the organ of vision;
• lack of vitamin A in the animal’s body;
• allergic reactions;
• viral and microbial infections in the body;
• eye diseases that affect the tear ducts;
• poor metabolism;
• ingrown eyelashes.

In addition to these common causes, veterinarians note that Doberman Pinschers and Great Danes are most prone to this disease. It is important for the owners of these animals to be attentive to the condition of their eyes. TO increased risk This also includes pugs, bulldogs, Yorkshire terriers and Pekingese. If you are the owner of a dog of this breed, remember that their eyes are at high risk of infection with various pathologies.

Chlamydia as a cause

Chlamydial conjunctivitis is a fairly serious disease, and this no longer concerns the dog, but the people who live next to it. Chlamydia is extremely dangerous for humans. The problem is that it is extremely difficult to distinguish it from the usual bacterial type of pathology:

1. a lot of thick pus is released from the affected eye;
2. Damage to the reproductive and respiratory systems may be observed.

If a dog has lost its puppies and simultaneously develops conjunctivitis, immediately isolate the animal from people.

General signs

The disease has general signs for all types, with their help the dog owner can easily understand that his dog is suffering from conjunctivitis:

• discharge from the eyes;
• the palpebral fissure narrows;
• the dog begins to blink frequently;
• eyes close;
• the animal is bothered by itching;
• eyes turn red;
• the conjunctiva swells;
• bubbles form (in the chronic form).

When diagnosing conjunctivitis, you need to monitor the hygienic treatment of the animal’s eyes, after which the veterinarian will prescribe medications.

Treatment of eye disease in dogs

How to treat conjunctivitis in dogs? Treatment of the disease must follow an individual regimen and is prescribed by a veterinarian. Therapy depends on the type of pathology and its severity. Before visiting a doctor, the dog's owner can alleviate its condition himself.

When the dog is undergoing treatment, avoid spending a long time on the street; this will be an additional insurance against microparticles of dirt and street dust getting into the eyes. You also cannot get hypothermia, it will only worsen the dog’s condition.

How to treat conjunctivitis in dogs? As medications, veterinarians use antibacterial drugs, antibiotics, ointments, bactericidal drops, and tablets that are taken orally to relieve inflammation in the body. It wouldn’t hurt for your dog to take a vitamin course that will boost its immunity and protective properties the whole body.

When does conjunctivitis develop? allergic course, then antiallergic drugs and drops with an antiallergic effect must be prescribed in treatment. Most often, to begin with, the dog’s eyes are treated with a cotton pad, previously soaked in a decoction of suitable herbs, then dripped, and then an ointment prescribed by the veterinarian is applied. This scheme is repeated approximately 4 times a day for a couple of weeks. Everything will depend on how well the dog feels and on the severity of the pathology.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs is considered incurable. However, you should not let the course of the disease fade away. Can be greatly reduced unpleasant symptoms. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, allergy medications, and tear replacement medications can be used. In many cases, surgery is used.

Prescribe and prescribe required doses Only a veterinarian can do it; you cannot self-medicate, otherwise you may regret the time wasted. You may well cause harm to the dog that no doctor will be able to correct.

Purulent conjunctivitis in a puppy

It is not uncommon for small dogs to develop purulent conjunctivitis. The disease begins to develop after birth upper eyelid. In another way, this disease is called physiological ankyloblepharon. This condition is usually caused by an infection inside the womb.

Developmental symptoms:

1. Not yet open eye characterized by swelling;
2. You can find discharge in the corner.

Therapy

• The puppy's eye must be opened manually or with the help of a surgeon;
• You can rinse the organ of vision with a swab containing a weak chamomile decoction;
• Eye ointments with an antibacterial effect are used.

It is important to recognize a congenital pathology in time, so you will not allow your baby to lose vision or its quality in the future. Attentive dog breeders will always seek help from a veterinarian without wasting time. Guarantee of health adult dog lies in how responsibly its owner will treat him in early childhood.

How to give a pill correctly

Most dog owners become stunned when a doctor recommends giving their dog pills. They simply don't know how to get an animal to swallow the medicine. Here are some tips on how to properly give an animal a pill, which are often prescribed for conjunctivitis:

Wrap the medicine in a piece of food, which the pet always eats with pleasure; it also happens when something tasty is eaten and the tablet is spat out on the floor, in which case you need to move on to more serious measures. Fill the syringe with water (without a needle), and grab the dog by the face.

Position the large and index fingers hands into the mouth so that they go behind the fangs. With your other hand, place the drug on the edge of your tongue and close your mouth. Lift up upper lip and pour liquid from a syringe between the teeth, so the dog will swallow reflexively. After 20 seconds, release your pet and see if he swallowed the tablet.

Some of the drugs can be crushed into powder, add a little water and give to the animal with or without food. This is much simpler and does not cause fear in the animal.

Prevention

Prevention of the disease is carried out in several ways, the main one of which is to maintain dog eye hygiene. It is important to carefully monitor the dog and avoid the risk of infection. Sleeping area The animal's coat should not be dirty or wet; it should be changed or cleaned at least once a week. An excellent solution would be to wash the organs of vision with decoctions. various herbs or using regular tea leaves.

Don't ignore your pet's diet. Design it in such a way that everything essential vitamins entered it. If other animals in the house or people have this eye disease, protect your pet from contact with them. On the street, do not allow the dog to frolic with its muzzle in the dust or sand, as it risks introducing infection into the eyes and the process of conjunctivitis will inevitably begin.

Conjunctivitis in dogs is quite a serious illness not only for people, but also for animals, it can affect the eyes quite deeply and lead to consequences that can even lead to loss of vision. Attentive care of your pet and prevention will prevent the disease from growing, and its timely treatment will make the pathology invisible to both the owner and the dog. At the slightest suspicion of conjunctivitis, immediately make an appointment with a veterinarian.

The appearance of discharge in the corners of your pet’s eyes is a sign of an inflammatory process. This phenomenon is called conjunctivitis. What causes the development of this eye disease? A dog has conjunctivitis, how to treat it? We'll talk about this in more detail later.

The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane with inside century. It protects the eyeball from injuries and foreign bodies, moisturizes the cornea. Inflammation of this membrane is called conjunctivitis.


There are 5 types and the corresponding symptoms of conjunctivitis in dogs:

1. Catarrhal conjunctivitis occurs in two forms: acute and chronic (if treatment was not started in a timely manner). It is the result of a foreign body (a grain of sand, a twig, etc.) getting into the eye. The mucous membrane swells and turns red. Discharge (usually clear) flows from the corner of the eye. In many breeds of dogs, this type of conjunctivitis occurs in a chronic form (pugs, bulldogs, etc.).
2. Purulent (bacterial, viral) conjunctivitis develops due to another disease(plague of carnivores, etc.) or contact with the mucous membrane of the eye by bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms. The discharge is thick, purulent, with an unpleasant odor, white-yellow in color. The conjunctiva becomes inflamed and red.
3. Follicular conjunctivitis in dogs usually occurs in a chronic form. Follicles located on the mucous membrane become inflamed and increase in size. This bothers the pet; discharge constantly flows from the eyes (without treatment they become purulent).
4. Allergic conjunctivitis in dogs develops when the animal comes into contact with an allergen (certain medications, insect bites, household chemicals, etc.). The mucous membrane swells, tears flow profusely from the eyes, and follicles may enlarge.
5. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca develops due to a lack of water in the tear (the mucous membrane and cornea dry out and become inflamed). There are many reasons for this phenomenon: trauma, congenital pathologies tear ducts, viral diseases, removal of the third eyelid, etc. Discharge from the eyes becomes viscous, sometimes mixed with pus.

With any type of conjunctivitis, the dog experiences discomfort and vision deteriorates. The purulent form without intervention can lead to complete blindness.

Important! If you notice that your pet has discharge from its eyes, contact your veterinarian.

Photos of conjunctivitis in dogs clearly reflect these signs.

Conjunctivitis in dogs: treatment of different types of disease

Treatment for conjunctivitis in dogs begins with removing pus and other discharge. For this in glass warm water dissolve the Furacilin tablet and rinse the pet’s eyes with the resulting solution. How to treat conjunctivitis in dogs and according to what scheme is described in detail in the table.

Important! Conjunctivitis cannot be treated on your own without first consulting with veterinarian. Incorrect prescriptions can only aggravate the condition and lead to blindness.

Use of folk remedies

Folk remedies can be used as a complement to medication treatment. Conjunctivitis in dogs: treatment at home begins with removing accumulated discharge. They are removed using a clean cotton pad soaked in unsweetened, cool, weak tea or chamomile infusion.

Instead of tea and chamomile, you can use a very weak, slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate for rinsing.

Attention! If hard crusts have formed on your eyes, apply a little on a cotton pad. Vaseline oil and carefully remove them.

The eyebright plant will help relieve inflammation. 150 ml of saline solution is poured into a clean container, five drops of extract are added to it, and then the affected eye is washed or a few drops of the resulting solution are instilled under the lower eyelid.

Prevention

Prevention of conjunctivitis is as follows:

• examine your pet’s eyes every day for foreign bodies;
• do not allow your dog to run in the bushes while walking (the branch can easily damage the conjunctiva);
• pet from viral diseases;
• do not allow the animal to come into contact with allergens, apply in a timely manner;
• include fortified supplements.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva causes discomfort to the dog and may lead to partial or complete loss vision. This is one of

Attention! A timely visit to an ophthalmologist will allow you to cope with the disease quickly and as painlessly as possible.

Additionally, watch the video about what the symptoms are and how to treat conjunctivitis in dogs:

It develops for many reasons and it depends on them how the disease will progress, what form it will take and what treatment the animal will need. This article describes the disease, its types, causes and symptoms, and also provides information on how to treat and prevent it. We also recommend reading up-to-date information about one more ocular pathology - keratitis.

Kinds

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane covering the inner surface of the eyelid and eyeball. In dogs and cats it can be acute or chronic, but, in any case, requires immediate treatment, since there is a possibility of complications, as a result of which the pet’s vision may deteriorate, up to its complete loss. There are several forms of this disease.

Catarrhal

This form is with consequence mechanical damage conjunctiva or infectious eye diseases. It can be determined by hyperemia, severe swelling shells and a large number discharge from the eyes. Usually catarrhal conjunctivitis begin with acute inflammation, which then becomes chronic.

Purulent

Purulent conjunctivitis is the result of pathogenic microorganisms entering the damaged conjunctiva and development of an inflammatory process in it. It often spreads to both eyes at once, develops quickly and is acute. Features purulent conjunctivitis- unpleasant-smelling grayish-yellow discharge that dries before the eyes and forms crusts. When severe defeat inflammatory process, the cornea may also be affected, which can lead to its darkening. For purulent conjunctivitis, be sure to immediate treatment, otherwise the animal may go blind.

Allergic

This form of conjunctivitis often occurs in dogs prone to allergic reactions. The development of the disease begins with the contact of allergens on the membrane of the eye, which cause inflammation.

Follicular

This type of conjunctivitis develops as a result contact with foreign bodies on the eye shell: dust, smoke, grains of sand, as a result of which the lymphatic follicles of the eyelids are affected. This form of the disease can also be a complication of the catarrhal form and in this case is chronic.

Chronic

At chronic conjunctivitis changes in the membrane are rather weakly expressed: slight redness and cloudiness are noted, there is practically no discharge from the eyes. But, nevertheless, the disease continues long time, during which remissions are replaced by exacerbations.

Causes

There are many reasons that lead to the development of conjunctivitis in dogs. This:

• traumatic damage to the shell as a result of playing or fighting;
• contact with small foreign particles (dust, sand, blades of grass, insects) and smoke;
• infectious diseases;
• burns and frostbite;
• draft;
• chemical lesions of the conjunctiva;
• tendency to ;
• metabolic disorder;
• deficiency of retinol in the body;
• diseases of the lacrimal glands;
• ingrown eyelashes.

In addition, conjunctivitis is more likely than others representatives of certain dog breeds are prone to, for example, such as Great Danes, Dobermans, Bulldogs, Yorkshire terriers(Yorkies) , Pekingese and . The risk of developing the disease in these pets increases due to the structural features of the eyes and eyelids, so owners of such animals need to be very careful about their health.

Symptoms

Conjunctivitis in dogs can be determined by the following signs. Regardless of the type and form of the disease, the following symptoms are present:

• conjunctival hyperemia;
• increased lacrimation;
• swelling of the mucous membranes and eyelids;
• specific mucous or purulent-mucous discharge, liquid or thick, transparent or having a certain color;
• eyelash loss;
• local temperature rise.

In addition, symptoms such as blepharospasm, photophobia, enlarged and reddened follicles (with follicular conjunctivitis) may be observed; the palpebral fissure may narrow and stick together from pus, so it may be difficult for the animal to open the eye.

ATTENTION! You can notice that a dog has developed conjunctivitis by its behavior. Since the eyes are inflamed, this causes discomfort and pain to the animal. It becomes nervous, often squinting and scratching its eyes with its paws. May lose appetite and sleep more than usual.

Diagnostics

What to do if you suspect your dog has conjunctivitis? Of course, take her to the vet. Only a specialist will be able to find out what kind of eye disease the animal has and how it needs to be treated. Diagnosis of conjunctivitis is aimed primarily at identifying the cause of inflammation.

During the examination, the doctor determines the condition of the eye shell, eyelids and eyelashes, and conducts dermatological tests. May need general analysis blood, which will show how severe the inflammation is and conducting a study PCR method, based on the results of which it will be possible to say whether bacteria or viruses caused the inflammation or whether it is a consequence of an allergic reaction.

How to treat?

Depending on the type of disease, the severity of its course and symptoms, treatment is prescribed. Conjunctivitis bacterial origin treat those who have wide range actions. For example, a veterinarian can prescribe to a “patient” Cefotaxime, Sinulox, Sumamed and other drugs that have a similar effect. To treat conjunctivitis, your veterinarian may also recommend medications such as:

• eye drops (Anandin, Tsiprovet, Maksidin, etc.);
• saline solution to cleanse tear ducts;
• chlortetracycline, tetracycline, etazol ointment for eyelid treatment;
• medicinal eye films applied to the conjunctiva;
• anti-inflammatory drugs in tablet form.

To increase the natural strength of the body, immunomodulators and vitamins are added to the main treatment with antibiotics.

Treatment at home

Treatment of conjunctivitis is carried out mainly at home, since the dog owner himself can cope with it. A veterinarian should tell you in detail how and how to treat this disease at home. The owner can only follow his instructions.

Before applying medications, you need to clear the dog’s eyes of discharge. To do this, use a cotton swab dipped in chamomile decoction, strong tea leaves, Furacillin solution or simply in boiled water, wipe the eyelid and area around the eyes where discharge has accumulated. Moreover, both eyes need to be treated, regardless of whether one of them has inflammation or not. For processing, use different cotton wool, which must be thrown away later.

After cleansing use eye drops, ointments or other medications. Carry out the treatment as many times a day as required for complete cure. After the procedure, wash your hands with soap and do not touch your face.

To prevent the dog from reaching its eyes with its paw, it must be put on a collar, in which she will remain until the end of treatment. During therapy, it is better to limit walks with the animal to a minimum so that the pet, while on the street, cannot catch an infection or injure the sore eye with something. The course of treatment takes on average 2 weeks, but can last less or longer - it all depends on the severity of the inflammation.

For treatment allergic conjunctivitis , first of all, you will need antihistamines to reduce the manifestations of an allergic reaction. Once this happens, the symptoms of inflammation should subside.

Fortreatment of purulent conjunctivitis antibiotics are used in various forms: in the form of eye drops, ointments, tablets.

REFERENCE! Dogs do not always swallow pills on their own; very often they refuse them. You can give a pill to an animal like this: wrap it in a treat that it definitely won’t refuse, for example, a thin piece of meat. Or you can dissolve the tablet in water, then draw the liquid into a syringe without a needle and pour it into the dog's mouth by inserting the syringe between the teeth and closing its mouth with your hand.

Treatment follicular conjunctivitis in dogs, it consists of washing the eyes with saline solution and treating them with corticosteroid ointments or instilling a solution with these substances into the eyes. If such treatment turns out to be ineffective, then surgery to remove the affected follicles is possible. Naturally, it is carried out in veterinary clinic doctor, not the dog owner. The age of the animal that can undergo such an operation is over 1 year.

Is treatment possible with folk remedies?

Treatment folk remedies Conjunctivitis is also possible, but only if the inflammation is mild and began recently. To wash your eyes you can use:

• strong tea;
• chamomile decoction;
• light pink solution of potassium permanganate;
• weak solution boric acid;
• decoction of calendula, rosemary or eyebright.

The dog needs to rinse the eyes several times a day, since these products still do not have such strong effect, How synthetic drugs, therefore, the effect of them can only be obtained during frequent use.

Prevention

To prevent your dog from getting conjunctivitis again, you need to take some precautions. For example:

• feed the animal correctly, choosing the diet so that the body receives all the necessary elements;
• replace food that causes allergies in your pet;
• clean the bedding on which the animal sleeps at least once a week, choosing a gentle one household chemicals and rinsing things well so that no detergent remains in them;
• choose things for your dog made from natural materials;
• organize a sleeping place for her where there is no draft;
• promptly treat infections, both ocular and internal;
• limit the interaction of a healthy animal with dogs, cats and people sick with conjunctivitis;
• examine your pet’s eyes after walks and if redness, watery eyes, swelling and other symptoms are detected, immediately contact a veterinarian;
• ensure that the dog does not freeze during walks in winter;
• Get vaccinated against common viral diseases in a timely manner.

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Conjunctivitis in dogs is inflammatory disease visual apparatus, affecting the mucous membrane lining the inner surface of the eyelid and the eyeball. In most cases this disease occurs due to weakened immune system or chronic diseases pet. There are two forms of conjunctivitis in pets – acute and chronic. Such a disease requires competent and timely treatment, since it is fraught with serious complications, up to complete disruption of the animal’s visual function.

Catarrhal conjunctivitis in a dog photo

Conjunctivitis in dogs develops due to the influence of pathogenic microorganisms that fall from the air onto the conjunctiva lining the surface of the eyeball and penetrate into the so-called conjunctival sac. When the animal’s immunity is weakened, an inflammatory process begins to develop, developing into conjunctivitis.

In addition, veterinary experts note other reasons that contribute to the occurrence and development of conjunctivitis in dogs:

• Traumatic eye injuries.
• Contact of the mucous membrane of the eye with chemicals.
• Inflammatory processes localized in the eyelids and cornea.
• Contact with the conjunctiva of dust, wool, fluff and other small foreign particles and bodies.
• Infectious diseases of an endogenous nature.
• Frostbite.
• Burn lesions of the eyes.
• Group A deficiency in the pet's body.
• Increased tendency to.
• The presence of fungal or viral infections.
• affecting the lacrimal glands.
• Metabolic disorders.
• Ingrown eyelashes.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis in dogs

Canine conjunctivitis, regardless of the type and form of the disease, manifests itself with the following characteristic symptoms:

• Baldness of the eyelids.
• Swelling of the eyelid and mucous membranes of the eyes.
• The appearance of specific discharge, either purulent-mucous in nature.

You can also suspect the disease by paying attention to the behavior of your pet. Since conjunctivitis is accompanied by a feeling of discomfort and severe pain localized in the visual area, the dog becomes nervous, irritable, passive, often closes its eyes and rubs its eyes with its paws. Often with conjunctivitis, the animal experiences sleep disturbances and permanent pain.

Types of canine conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis in dogs is divided into 4 types, each of which requires different care.

According to the international classification, conjunctivitis in dogs is divided into 4 types, each of which is characterized by specific signs, pathogenesis and manifestations:

• Catarrhal conjunctivitis, in most cases, occurs when traumatic lesions eye shell, as well as against the background of diseases infectious nature. This form of the disease manifests itself as redness and increased swelling of the conjunctiva (up to its complete protrusion from under the eyelid), hyperemia, profuse eye discharge, which is serous or purulent-mucosal in nature.
• Purulent type of conjunctivitis- develops when bacteria and pathogenic pyogenic microorganisms come into contact with the mucous membrane of the eye. Usually purulent form Conjunctivitis disease in dogs simultaneously affects both eyes and occurs exclusively in an acute form, characterized by rapid development. The purulent type of pathology manifests itself with such signs as swelling of the eyelids, increased body temperature, the presence of photophobia, as well as blepharospasms. Purulent conjunctivitis is characterized by thick eye discharge, grayish-yellow in color with a very unpleasant odor, which dries and forms specific crusts in the area of ​​the eyelids, eyelashes and corners of the eyes. In particularly severe cases, clouding of the eye cornea may occur. This form Conjunctivitis requires prompt, timely treatment, since it is fraught with complete loss of vision for the animal.
• Allergic conjunctivitis- observed in dogs with an increased tendency to allergic reactions. Inflammatory process begins when any allergen comes into contact with the conjunctiva or mucous membrane. At the same time, there are specific symptoms in the form of profuse lacrimation, redness of the eyelids and the eye itself.
• Follicular conjunctivitis- occurs when the eye shell is exposed to dust, smoke or particles of foreign bodies that affect the lymphatic follicles of the eyelids or as a complication of the catarrhal form of conjunctival disease. Characteristic symptoms follicular conjunctivitis is severe redness of the eye membranes, intense purulent discharge, as well as an abundant accumulation of lymphatic follicles in the area inner surface century

Treatment of conjunctivitis in dogs

To treat conjunctivitis, you can use bactericidal eye drops.

Complete treatment of conjunctivitis in dogs should be prescribed individually, by a qualified specialist - a veterinarian, depending on the type and form of the disease, as well as the presence of associated complications.

You can alleviate your pet’s condition at home by washing your eyes several times a day with a cotton swab dipped in a decoction of tea, calendula or chamomile. Compresses and eye washes using decoctions of the eyebright herb, which has an antibacterial and anti-irritant effect, have a good effect.

You can also use solutions of furatsilin, potassium permanganate or boric acid to wash your eyes. Decrease painful sensations and inflammation can also be achieved by dropping a couple of drops of almond oil or drops such as conjunctivET, Maxidin, Iris into the eyes of your pet.

During the therapeutic course, it is recommended to minimize the time spent walking with the animal in order to avoid contact with dust, pollen, smoke, pathogenic microbes and prevent possible hypothermia, which is extremely undesirable with conjunctivitis.

Veterinarians use the following to treat conjunctivitis in dogs: medications, as ointments that relieve inflammation, bactericidal eye drops and preparations internal use, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The animal may also be shown special vitamin complexes, aimed at strengthening the immune system and increasing the body's own defenses.

At allergic form diseases, antiallergic drugs and drops, antihistamines are prescribed.

In most cases, after washing the eyes, drops are instilled, and then after 10-15 minutes penicillin or tetracycline ointment is applied to the surface of the eyelids and inner corners of the eyes.

This kind of therapeutic procedures are carried out 3-4 times a day, for 1-2 weeks, it depends, first of all, on the condition pet.

However, only a veterinarian should prescribe specific drugs, determine their dosage and duration of treatment! Doing this yourself is under no circumstances recommended, since in this way you can cause irreparable harm to the animal’s health!

In order to avoid possible relapses and unwanted complications, it is very important to strictly adhere to all the veterinarian’s recommendations and not stop treatment ahead of schedule, even if the animal has lost all painful symptoms! This is how conjunctivitis in dogs should be treated.

How to understand that you need to go to an ophthalmologist

How to prevent the occurrence of eye pathology

Prevention of conjunctivitis in dogs consists, first of all, in compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards and proper care for the pet. The dog's sleeping place must be dry and clean; it is recommended to change it every week.

In addition, you need to pay attention to your pet’s diet, making sure that the food is as balanced as possible and that it certainly includes foods rich in vitamins A and E.

It is imperative that you exclude or at least limit your pet’s contact with people or other animals suffering from conjunctivitis. During walks, you should not allow your pet to play in dust, dirt or sand to prevent particles from getting on the mucous membrane of the eye.

Conjunctivitis in dogs is quite severe and dangerous disease, affecting organs pet's vision. However, timely treatment and compliance with the recommendations of a veterinarian will help quickly overcome this disease, avoiding possible complications and unpleasant consequences!