Dogs’ eyes become inflamed for multiple reasons. Inflammation can occur in different parts of the eye. It may be in the eyelids, cornea, tear glands, or iris. The causes include either viruses or bacteria or fungi and parasitic insects, in addition to infection. With wounds or bruises, each of these cases has an appropriate treatment method, with great similarities between the treatment methods. During this article, we will review the most prominent procedures followed by the veterinarian in treating canine eye inflammation.
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Procedures for Treating Canine Eye Inflammation
The following is an explanation of the procedures used to treat dog eye inflammation based on the cause:
- Antibiotics are prescribed if the inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection, in addition to the use of eye drops.
- When the cause of inflammation is the result of allergies, whether seasonal or allergic to specific substances, the veterinarian resorts to prescribing antihistamines to control the allergy.
- The vet resorts to performing a minor operation in the clinic in order to remove any foreign bodies inside the eye that cause inflammation, and he may resort to local anesthesia of the dog so that he can remove them.
- The dog needs surgery if there is a blockage of the tear duct causing eye inflammation. After completing the operation, antibiotics must be used, in addition to eye drops after the operation, in order to protect it from bacterial infection.
- In cases of dry eyes or keratitis, the doctor resorts to prescribing treatments that stimulate tear production, which are cyclosporine and tacrolimus.
- If the cause is a deformity in the eyelid or eyelashes, the doctor will perform surgery to correct the deformity and also prescribe antibiotics in addition to eye drops to protect them from infection.
What to do when your dog has an eye infection?
When signs of eye inflammation appear on the dog, such as redness, and the dog feels pain and discomfort, it is necessary to go directly to the veterinarian, who will conduct the necessary examination in order to determine the cause and prescribe the appropriate treatments for it.
What are the symptoms of canine eye inflammation?
Symptoms vary in severity depending on the type of inflammation that affects the dog’s eyes, and some symptoms may appear but not others depending on the case. The following is an explanation of the most prominent of these symptoms:
- Continuous discharge from the dog’s eyes, either white or yellow.
- The dog continues to scratch his eyes using his paws as a result of feeling uncomfortable.
- The redness of the eyes, or the whites change to pink.
- Eye swelling of varying degrees, may lead to complete eye closure, and in some cases the swelling spreads around the eyes.
- Extreme sensitivity to light, and frequent and frequent blinking.
- Sudden strabismus, where each eye moves separately from the other and sometimes involuntarily.
- A change in the shape and external appearance of the eye, in addition to a sudden loss of vision.
