There are numerous different causes of eye infections for your pet. If your pet is showing any redness, discomfort, or sensitivity to light, it is crucial that they are seen by a veterinarian. Eye infections can spread and lead to vision loss if left untreated.
Since there are many causes for an eye infection in your pets, you may not know what is causing one. Some causes include viruses, bacteria, fungus, irritants, trauma, parasites, foreign matter, or a cut or scratch on the cornea. There are other issues that can also have symptoms that look like eye infections, including tear duct problems, glaucoma, dry eye, eyelid abnormalities, tumors, vitamin deficiency, and poisoning. Because there are so many potential causes, getting an accurate diagnosis from a veterinarian is important before any treatment can occur.
If your pet has redness, swelling, squinting, blinking, light sensitivity, pawing at the eye, or thick, watery or smelly discharge from the eye, it is highly recommended that you schedule an appointment to get your pet seen and treated.
Eye exams for pets are similar to those for humans. but it can be hard to get a pet to read an eye chart. Some exams that your vet will do include a visual examination, dilation, bacterial culture, corneal staining, or allergy test.
Of course, there are some steps you can take to prevent an eye infection in your pet. It’s best to avoid trauma to the eye. You can do this by closing the window when you are driving so foreign bodies and dust that fly in the window don’t go into the eye. Keep your dog’s face clean and trim hair around the eye so it doesn’t get into the eyeball. There are also goggles designed for pets if you are extra concerned about eye drops.
A veterinarian will want to pinpoint the cause of your pet’s eye infection and create a treatment plan that suits their individual needs and diagnosis. You should not use over-the-counter eye drops designed for humans and only use any medications prescribed by your vet.
If you notice signs of eye infection in your pets and live in the San Diego area, call our hospital at 858-292-6116 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Schexneider and the rest of our team. With early intervention and proper diagnosis, your pet will be treated and on the mends in no time!
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Closed