No one knows the love and care pets require like pet owners do. As a responsible and thoughtful pet owner you probably consider a veterinarian to be the first and most reliable resource in getting medical advice for your beloved pet. This medical help may be regarding the best kind of supplements, antibiotics, or injections to give your furry pal. Some pet owners may also need advice on the best way to administer medication to their pets.
CAN DOGS AND CATS CATCH EYE INFECTIONS?
Depending on how your dog got them, eye wounds and infections can vary from mild to severe. For example, a small scratch could develop into an eye infection. If an object gets embedded in your dog or cat’s eye it can become an eye wound. Your pet could also develop an eye wound if they begin to paw or scratch their eyes, if there is an abnormal growth of eyelashes, or if their eyelids get inverted.
Eye infections are quite common in dogs as they spend a lot of time playing and frolicking outdoors. Dogs are naturally very curious creatures. Part of their play outdoors includes chasing smaller animals or digging up holes and dirt. All this activity leaves dogs quite prone to eye wounds and eye infections. If your dog has a wound, and it goes unnoticed, the wound could lead to an infection. While some eye infections may pass on their own, vets prescribe eye medication such as Terramycinophthalmic ointment to treat eye infections in dogs and cats
PREVENTIVE EYE CARE FOR DOGS AND CATS
Here are ways to prevent eye infections in your pet:
- Give them a diet that strengthens their immune system
- If they have a designated living space in your home, keep that area spotless
- Whenever your dog or cat returns from outdoors, neatly wipe the area around the eyes with a wet cloth. Do this a few times in a day if necessary.
While you can take these measures to keep your beloved pet from catching an infection, even the healthiest animals could get infected. Loving and caring for your pet requires you to do your best to keep your pet on a balanced, healthy diet. You should also follow the aforementioned steps to keep any and all eye infections at bay.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON INFECTIONS DOGS CAN CATCH?
Conjunctivitis or pink eye is a condition that isn’t unique only to humans. Canines get pink eye too. If an allergic reaction, bacterial or viral infection, physical irritation caused from eyelashes, or inflammation due to pawing or scratching at eyes occurs in dogs it leads to inflammation of the conjunctiva.
The conjunctiva is the white part of the eyeball. Due to irritation or inflammation of the conjunctiva it turns pink, which leads to the disease being names pink eye or conjunctivitis. Dog conjunctivitis is not as easy to spot in dogs as it is in humans, even if you spend a long time looking at your pet’s eyes.
WHAT CAN YOU DO AS A CONCERNED PET OWNER?
As vigilant pet parents it is necessary for you to take note of the first signs of eye problems in your pet. There are some easy ways to spot an injury or the onset of an infection in your dog.
If you own a dog or plan to get one, making yourself familiar with eye infections such as conjunctivitis can be helpful.
HOW TO SPOT EYE INFECTIONS?
If your pet displays the following signs, they might have an eye infection like conjunctivitis. Look out for the following signs of:
- Excessive blinking and squinting
- Puffiness of eyelids
- Watery eyes
- Looking away from or avoiding bright lights
- Excessive tear production
- Unusual behaviour around the eyes
- Eyelids sticking together
WHICH DOG BREEDS ARE MOST AT RISK?
Some breeds of dogs are more prone to conjunctivitis than others on the basis of their genetics or physical form. These include pugs, bulldogs, poodles, cocker spaniels, and pekingese dogs. The facial features of these breeds as well as their genetic predisposition makes them vulnerable and susceptible to catching irritants from dust, pollen, and other foreign bodies present in air. If you are a pet parent to any of these breeds, please keep an eye out for any signs of eye infections in your furry baby.
HOW TO APPLY EYE OINTMENT TO YOUR DOG
It doesn't come as a surprise that your dog or cat is likely to squirm or wriggle away when you try to apply an eye ointment to them.
Your dog or cat is already experiencing some discomfort, pain, and is irritable from the infection. This makes it important for you to be as soothing and patient as possible while you apply the ointment to them. Applying the antibiotic ointment in the right manner will prompt your pet’s speedy recovery.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after you apply the ointment to your pet. This helps to prevent the infection from spreading further.
- Take some time to calm your pet down and stay by their side, rather than applying the ointment to them at the first instance you find.
- Some pet parents find it useful to give their dogs and cats treats before and after they apply the ointment.
- Get another family member or a friend to help you. You can also place a muzzle on your dog.
- Read the instructions on the tube carefully and take the ointment tube and hold it between your thumb and index finger.
- If you find it helpful, place your hand on top of your dog’s head to stabilize it in one place.
- Use your thumb and gently pull down your dog’s lower eyelid. Make sure you’re supporting their jaw and head throughout.
- Squeeze some ointment out of the tube and carefully apply it on the inside of the lower lid.
- Make sure that tube does not touch your dog’s eye.
Once you finish this, your dog may blink a few times, allowing the ointment to spread evenly over the eye’s surface.
LET US HELP
If your furry buddy tends to catch a lot of eye infections or gets into fights that cause eye wounds you’re in for some good news; you can treat these eye problems at home. The most common treatment includes an antibiotic ointment Terramycin. To keep your pet’s eyes full and bright visit California Veterinary Supply’s online store and treat all eye infections and injuries in your dogs or cats.