Pinkeye in Dogs

When pinkeye makes your dog blue

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pinkeye, is a common ailment in dogs and is indicated by eyes that are severely bloodshot or pink in appearance, swollen or inflamed eyelids and a discharge from the eye. In some cases, one or both eyes could be swollen shut.

Definition

Conjunctivitis is a specific infection that occurs in the conjunctiva, a membrane that surrounds the eyeball and extends to the eyelid.

Cause

The infection can either be viral or bacterial. It most commonly starts with an irritant that gets into the eye.

Symptoms

A major symptom of pink eye is painful itching. Your dog will try to cope by rubbing its face with its paw or against furniture. Dogs with pinkeye will become very sensitive to light, where even normal daylight can be painful.

Treatment

Veterinarians usually prescribe oral antibiotics and eye drops or ointment that are applied topically.

Warning

If untreated, conjunctivitis can cause permanent damage to the eye, including blindness and even death.

References

• Pet Well Being
• Dog Health Guide