Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye problems in dogs, and it won’t be surprising if your best friend has it. It’s also known as pink eye, and it happens when the conjunctiva, the thin layer that spans the white part of the eyeball, gets inflamed.
Generally, a set of healthy eyes will look white and normal. But if a dog has conjunctivitis, its eyes will look red and swollen.
To help protect your dog against conjunctivitis, we’ll tell you everything about it, from its causes to how to treat conjunctivitis in dogs and how it’s prevented.
What Causes Conjunctivitis in Dogs?
When a dog has conjunctivitis, the root cause can vary widely. Here are the most common causes of canine conjunctivitis:
Bacteria
Bacterial conjunctivitis in dogs is most often caused by environmental bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas. It rarely occurs on its own, as it usually develops as a secondary infection when the dog’s eye’s natural defenses are compromised. These bacterial infections can lead to serious clinical signs if untreated.
Viruses
Viral infections like canine distemper virus, canine herpesvirus, and canine adenovirus can cause pink eye in dogs. These airborne viruses often affect dogs with weaker immune systems, particularly puppies. The common types are:
Canine herpesvirus
These viruses are often airborne or spread through direct contact, especially in environments where dogs are in close quarters. Sharing food, water bowls, toys, or bedding with infected dogs increases the risk of spreading these cases of conjunctivitis.
Allergies and Irritants
Allergens such as pollen, dust, and mold can also be the reasons why your dog has conjunctivitis. These allergens are everywhere, which is why an unclean home and resting space can increase the risk of pink eye for your dog.
Foreign Bodies and Injuries
Any object that may physically injure your dog's eyes can lead to conjunctival inflammation. Plus, this can pave the way for bacteria to cause an infection. These objects can be anything from short grass to bigger objects around the house.
Even a minor scratch can weaken your dog’s eye defenses and increase the risk of secondary bacterial infections or even corneal ulcers.
Health Conditions
Some dogs develop conjunctivitis due to underlying medical conditions, such as dry eye, canine entropion, blocked tear ducts, or eyelid deformities. These reduce the eye’s ability to self-clean, making them more prone to clinical signs of irritation and discharge from the eye.
Facial Structures
Certain breeds are genetically more susceptible to conjunctivitis due to their eye shape. Brachycephalic dogs such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus have more exposed eyes, making it easier for allergens or a foreign object to cause pink eye in dogs.
How to Know if Your Dog Has Conjunctivitis?
Knowing the possible symptoms of conjunctivitis in dogs is essential to helping your best friend get the help it needs. Here are the common ones:
Redness and Swelling. Pink eye causes the conjunctiva to become visibly red or pink due to inflammation and increased blood flow to the area. This also results in swelling of the tissues around the eyes.
Discharge from the Eye. Depending on the cause of conjunctivitis, a dog’s eyes can have discharge. Clear tearing is often from allergies and irritants, while green or yellow mucus suggests a bacterial infection.
Crusting Around the Eye. Crust can form around the eyes when the discharge dries up. These can lead to more irritation and make it harder for dogs to open their eyes.
Squinting or Excessive Blinking. Dogs with conjunctivitis will start to squint and blink more frequently as a response to the discomfort experienced.
Pawing at the Eye. In addition to frequent squinting, conjunctivitis can cause dogs to paw at their own eyes, trying to relieve the discomfort. This can worsen the issue by introducing more bacteria or injuries to the eye.
Sensitivity to Light. If your dog has conjunctivitis, you might notice them trying to avoid rooms with bright light. Some dogs may even start hiding.
How Do Vets Diagnose Conjunctivitis in Dogs?
To identify the condition, we will need to run a few tests and check for a few symptoms. These are the methods we use to diagnose dog pink eye:
Physical Eye Examination
The first step is always an eye exam. Here, we examine your dog's eyes, eyelids, and the surrounding tissue. Our team will look for possible signs, such as swelling, discharge, or redness. Next, we can proceed to a few laboratory tests.
Eye Staining Test
An eye staining test, which uses orange dye and a special blue light, can help locate scratches or corneal ulcers on the surface of the eye. Any damage will be highlighted green under this diagnostic method.
Schirmer Tear Test
If we think dry eye is the cause of your dog’s conjunctivitis, we may perform a Schirmer tear test. This will assess your dog’s tear production to see if it's suboptimal. It’s done by using a small strip of paper under the lower eyelid. Next, we measure the moisture produced.
Cytology and Culture
A cytology is when we collect a sample of cells from the conjunctiva for microscopic examination. From here, we can detect pathogens or inflammatory cells that may help us diagnose the condition.
For more recurrent cases, a culture and sensitivity test will be done. This can help determine the specific pathogen and decide the best medication for it.
Allergy Testing
Identifies potential allergic reactions that might be causing allergic conjunctivitis. One method used is intradermal skin testing, which involves injecting a specific and small amount of allergens into the skin.
What to Do if Your Dog Has Conjunctivitis?
The main methods for treating pink eye in dogs will depend on what caused the issue in the first place.
Generally, we use antibacterial eye drops and ointments, especially since bacteria are the common pathogens involved in canine pink eye. In some cases, we may also have to resort to oral forms.
To help with recovery, our vets will provide anti-inflammatory eye drops if needed. These can help reduce the inflammation and promote comfort. If a foreign object is the cause of your dog’s swollen eyes, then our goal is to remove that object. This will be done under anesthesia for safety.
If allergies are involved in your dog’s conjunctivitis, we will recommend oral antihistamines, steroids, or eye drops. The specifics will be determined after careful examination.
Another important part of the treatment process is supportive care. Here, we’ll also recommend gentle cleaning of the eye area to remove discharge. Plus, using an E-collar is generally helpful, as this can prevent dogs from touching the affected area.
How to Prevent Conjunctivitis in Dogs?
Protecting your dog from conjunctivitis is a much better route than treating it. Here’s how you can do it:
Keep the Eyes Clean
Wipe any discharge from the eye with a damp, clean cloth to remove dirt, allergens, or discharge. Regularly cleaning their eyes, especially if they frequently go outside to play or exercise.
Always check on your dog's eyes weekly and clean them as needed. This is especially useful for dogs with long fur.
Avoid Environmental Irritants
Limit your dog’s exposure to smoke, dust, chemicals, and strong cleaning products. Make sure to hide any form of chemical away from your dog’s reach. When administering eye medication, always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling your pet.
Have Your Dog Vaccinated Regularly
Routine vaccinations can help prevent viral infections, such as canine distemper, and lower the chance of pink eye in dogs. This can significantly reduce the risk of viral conjunctivitis, even in cramped areas.
Manage Your Dog’s Allergies
If your dog has any allergies, the best way to deal with them is to consult with us. Here, we can work on a strategy to help relieve the discomfort and find out the major causes. This process may include allergy testing, environmental changes, and medication.
“A dog’s eyes express trust, curiosity, and love. Protecting the way they see the world starts with proper care and prevention.”
- Dr. Nenad Misura
Final Thoughts
Canine conjunctivitis is a common condition, but it is treatable. If you notice any of the signs, the best way to help your dog is to seek professional care. When we help our dogs with problems like these, we can help them live a happy and healthy life.
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