Question 1

What is Conjunctivitis in Dogs?

Accepted Answer

Conjunctivitis is a broad term referring to inflammation of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that covers your dog's eyeball and the inner part of the eyelids. Dogs also have a third eyelid (nictitating membrane) that is covered by conjunctiva and not normally visible.

Question 2

How Do Dogs Get Pink Eyes?

Accepted Answer

Canine conjunctivitis refers to inflammation, and may be due to many possible underlying causes. A veterinary exam and diagnostic testing will be needed to determine the underlying cause and best treatment options for your dog.

Question 3

How is Conjunctivitis Diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

When you see your vet for a concern about your dog's eye, they will start by getting a history and performing a thorough physical exam. There are three common tests that your vet may recommend to gather additional information about the cause of your dog's conjunctivitis and help guide their treatment recommendations.

Question 4

What is the Treatment for Dog Conjunctivitis?

Accepted Answer

The dog conjunctivitis treatment will focus on treating the underlying cause and alleviating symptoms. Often a topical ophthalmic antibiotic with or without a steroid is all that's needed. Steroids are excellent at decreasing inflammation. However, it is important to perform a fluorescein stain prior to dispensing this medication as it can delay healing if an ulcer is present.

Question 5

Can Conjunctivitis Be Prevented?

Accepted Answer

In most cases conjunctivitis cannot be prevented. However, making sure your dog is up to date on vaccines and parasite prevention is a great start to keeping them healthy. If your dog has an allergy, avoiding environmental irritants and gently cleaning their eyes may also be beneficial.

Question 6

Do I need to take my dog to the vet for conjunctivitis?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is important to have your dog evaluated by a vet as soon as possible for any issue involving their eyes. Conjunctivitis is common and easily treatable in many cases however, it usually requires a prescription medication from your vet. In some cases it can be an indicator of more significant systemic disease.

Question 7

How do you treat conjunctivitis at home?

Accepted Answer

Your dog must see a vet to diagnose and treat conjunctivitis appropriately. If an over-the-counter treatment is indicated (such as saline or lubricating eye drops, or an antihistamine to help manage allergies), then your vet will discuss how and when to use it.

Question 8

How do you give eye drops to a dog?

Accepted Answer

Applying medication to a wiggly dog's eye can be difficult and intimidating. On top of that, many eye medications must be applied several times per day. Some ophthalmic medications come in either drops or ointment, and you may find that one form is easier than the other.

Question 9

How long does conjunctivitis in dogs last?

Accepted Answer

Most simple cases of conjunctivitis should fully resolve within two to three weeks of appropriate care and treatment. Improvement should be noted within the first few days after starting treatment. Depending on the underlying cause, the condition may recur and/or require additional diagnostics and treatments.

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