Eye Infections in Dogs and Cats
Red, irritated, goopy, and gross—no matter how you look at it, eye problems in pets can be pretty yucky. From eye infections in dogs to cats with allergies, Mobile Vet MD has you covered when it comes to eye trouble.
Eye See You
As a pet owner, it is very important to know what your pet’s eyes normally look like. Some pets may have clear drainage on a routine basis or some visible blood vessels in the white part of the eye (sclera). This is typically not a problem. When things change, that’s when we need to pay attention.
Eye changes that are cause for concern might include:
- Green or yellow drainage
- Crusting of the eye
- Redness of the sclera
- Swelling of the tissue around the eye (conjunctiva)
- Elevation of the third eyelid
- Squinting
- Increased tearing
- Pawing or rubbing the face
- Bulging
- Changes in the color of the surface of the eye
- Color changes within the eye
- Vision changes
Problems with the eye can become serious quickly and so it is important to always let us know immediately if you have a concern.
Causes of Eye Infections in Cats and Dogs
The trouble with eyes is that many problems can appear very similarly. While eye infections in cats and dogs definitely occur, this diagnosis can appear very similarly to ocular irritation, allergic reactions, corneal scratches, and more.
Diagnosis of an eye infection in a pet should always be done by a veterinary professional.
Eye infections, or conjunctivitis, in our pet patients have several possible causes. These could include:
- Bacterial infection (similar to pink eye in people)
- Viral infection
- Allergy
- Foreign objects in the eye
- Tear film problems
- Injury to the eye
- Abnormalities within the eyeball itself
All of these possibilities are treated very differently, so accurate diagnosis is key.
Helping a Pet With Eye Trouble
If you have a pet with an eye problem, veterinary care is important. Delaying appropriate diagnosis and treatment can have a huge impact on success of treatment, and when we are talking about vision, that means a lot!
If you notice your pet is having trouble, you can apply a warm compress to the affected eye or gently wipe with a clean, damp cloth. If your pet seems to be in pain, do not push the issue.
If you suspect an irritant, you can gently flush the eye with sterile eye wash. Avoid the temptation to apply any prescription eye drops to the eye without instruction. If your pet is rubbing the eye, placing an Elizabethan collar to prevent further damage or irritation can be helpful until your pet’s appointment.
Thankfully, eye infections and conjunctivitis are not transmissible from pets to humans. Only a few causes are contagious between animals.
Eye infections in dogs and cats are often no big deal, but they can be pretty painful and some can take a turn quickly. Mobile Vet MD is here to help if and when they happen.