Conjunctivitis in Dogs: An Overview

Dog Breeds

Conjunctivitis in dogs is a condition which causes inflammation and infection of tissues on the inner surface of the eyelids and the outermost layer of the eye. When conjunctivitis in chronic, the condition may disappear only to reappear again and again. This condition can be painful and irritating to dogs, frustrating for pet owners, and over time chronic conjunctivitis can cause permanent damage to the cornea and other surrounding structures in the eye.

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Introduction

Conjunctivitis is defined as inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the delicate, well-vascularized mucous membrane lining the upper and lower eyelids and covering the outermost parts of the eyeball. It is one of the most common eye disorders in dogs.

How Conjunctivitis Affects Dogs

Conjunctivitis is also called “red eye” for obvious reasons. It is painful and irritating to affected dogs and frustrating for their owners. Clinical signs of conjunctivitis include swollen and sticky eyelids, excessive tearing, pawing at the eyes, squinting, pronounced redness and inflammation. It can occur in one eye or in both and often is accompanied by a profuse, thick ocular discharge. Left untreated, chronic conjunctivitis can permanently damage the cornea and other surrounding ocular tissues.

Causes of Conjunctivitis in Dogs

There are many causes of conjunctivitis. They include trauma, allergies, foreign body intrusion, bacterial or viral infection, neoplasia and immune-mediated conditions. Certain breeds are predisposed to developing conjunctivitis, especially those with long narrow skulls, deeply set eyes and inadequate tear drainage(Afghan hounds, Dobermans, Poodles).

Preventing Conjunctivitis in Dogs

Dogs chronically affected by conjunctivitis – especially if it is due to a structural or conformational breed predisposition – probably should not be bred. Dogs with an immune-mediated cause of conjunctivitis may require lifelong oral or topical prescription therapy.

Special Notes

Medicated eye drops can be quite helpful for dogs suffering from conjunctivitis. In troublesome cases, owners may be referred to a specialized veterinary ophthalmologist for advanced diagnostic testing and treatment. While chronic conjunctivitis can be frustrating for owners, it usually can be treated effectively once the cause is determined.

Treatment Options