Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that covers the eyeballs and lines the inside of the eyelids. This disease also occurs in dogs.
Conjunctivitis rarely appears as an independent disease. In most cases, it is a manifestation of some other disease, such as plague or infectious hepatitis. Conjunctivitis can also occur as a result of eye injury, irritation with detergents or other chemicals, sand, dust. Allergy to pollen can also manifest as conjunctivitis.
Conjunctivitis symptoms
Conjunctivitis in dogs occurs in four forms - catarrhal, purulent, follicular and phlegmonous.
The catarrhal form of conjunctivitis is characterized by edema and redness of the mucous membrane of the eye and lacrimation. If untreated, the acute form becomes chronic.
With purulent conjunctivitis, these symptoms are accompanied by purulent discharge, which is at first liquid, and then becomes thick. Dried pus disturbs the dog, and it constantly rubs its eyes with its paws. Photophobia is often observed, causing the animal to squint its eyes. The inflammatory process can affect not only the conjunctiva, but also the cornea.
With follicular conjunctivitis, purulent follicles appear on the inner surface of the third eyelid. Most often, follicular conjunctivitis is chronic and recurs periodically.
The most severe form is phlegmonous conjunctivitis, affecting, along with the conjunctiva, the subconjunctival tissue and epithelium. There is swelling of the eyelid, mucous or purulent discharge, annular protrusion of the conjunctiva. The surface of the conjunctiva becomes glassy, ulcers appear on it.
Treatment and prevention of conjunctivitis
Treatment for conjunctivitis is with anti-inflammatory eye drops or ointments that contain antibiotics. Anti-inflammatory drugs are also prescribed for oral administration. If conjunctivitis is a complication of another disease, the first step is to treat the disease.
The veterinarian should prescribe treatment based on the results of animal examination and laboratory tests. The owner himself can only provide the dog with first aid.
The dog's eyes must be rinsed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, then moisten a cotton swab with vaseline oil and remove purulent crusts. To make the dog less bothered by pain and itching, you can put cool compresses on your eyes 2-3 times a day.
Like any disease, conjunctivitis is easier to prevent than to cure. To do this, it is necessary to wipe the dog's eyes every morning with a cotton swab moistened with boiled water, protect it from contact with animals that have symptoms of conjunctivitis, and timely treat diseases that can cause conjunctivitis.
