If your dog has an eye infection, it’s crucial that they seek treatment immediately. Without it, permanent damage could result – including corneal ulcers that rupture their globes.
Symptoms may include red and watery eyes, sensitivity to light, squinting, rubbing of eyes and discharge from them. Your vet can make a definitive diagnosis by applying fluorescein dye on the surface of the eyes to reveal scratches, ulcers and foreign material under blue light illumination.
Contents
1. Antibiotics
Many dogs experience eye infections due to scratches or ulcers on the cornea (the clear layer lining the front of their eye). Such infections require antibiotic treatment.
If your pup’s eyes show any sign of redness, swelling, or itching, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment. A thorough eye exam will enable your vet to quickly pinpoint the source of infection and recommend appropriate remedies.
Recently, we conducted an in-depth investigation of canine ocular surface bacteria using neomycin-polymyxin-bacitracin eye ointment and sequenced them using DNA sequencing technology. Our sequencing revealed a complex microbiome beyond what had previously been reported from culture-dependent studies. A stable core bacterial community was identified that remains consistent over time or short term antibiotic therapy; multiple phyla were consistently detected such as Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla were consistently detected as well.
2. Ointments
Antibiotic ointments such as Terramycin ointment contain both oxytetracycline and polymyxin B to effectively combat mild bacterial infections in dogs’ eyes, helping ease any discomfort. Both ingredients work to eliminate eye infection-causing bacteria.
Apply a prescribed dose of eye ointment directly onto the inner edge of your dog’s lower lid with the tube provided by your vet, while supporting its jaw as you do so for ease.
Within several minutes, you should observe an ointment melting and spreading across your dog’s eye, which is a standard side effect of ophthalmic medications. Your pup will then likely blink several times to further spread out the medication across their eye’s surface.
3. Colloidal Silver
If your dog has eye infections, colloidal silver may provide relief by relieving itchiness and inflammation while decreasing redness and stinging as well as killing bacteria.
Anti-inflammatory and tissue regeneration properties make turmeric ideal for treating fungal/yeast infections like ringworm as well as wounds/burns.
However, colloidal silver does have its drawbacks; high doses could be toxic to your dog’s body and may interact with certain antibiotics and thyroid medications prescribed to him/her.
Furthermore, this medication could alter the natural microbiome of your dog’s digestive tract and compromise their immune system, so we advise using it only as a treatment for specific illnesses or infections and not routinely.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is an established natural solution for wounds and sunburns, featuring vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that provide healing properties to soothe skin issues.
Eye drops may help soothe irritation from eye infections and lower their risk. Apply at least twice or three times each day directly onto the affected area for best results.
There are various brands of aloe gel designed specifically for pets that you can find either online or at physical retail outlets, yet some contain toxic ingredients like carbomer, 1,2-hexanediol and hydroxyacetophenone that could prove hazardous to their wellbeing.
If your dog is itchy, apply some gel directly to their eye area. This should reduce inflammation and help your pet feel more at ease. For more serious symptoms please seek professional assistance from a vet.
5. Warm Compresses
Warm compresses are an effective treatment option for dog eye infections. They can promote circulation in the area, reduce muscle spasms and provide pain relief.
Home remedies include making warm compresses using towels soaked with hot water and then ringed out before applying them directly onto the affected areas. Place it over each eye twice daily for several minutes until healing has taken place.
Eyewash can also help flush away discharge and other irritants that have made their way into your pet’s eyes. This method is particularly helpful for dogs suffering from swollen eyes as it removes excess fluids to ease symptoms.
