How to Treat and Cure a Dog's Eye Infection

Sometimes even the healthiest of dogs will come down with an eye infection. An eye can look fine one day, and then red, watery and full of discharge the next. Learn how to relieve your dog's discomfort by treating and curing an eye infection.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Warm rag
• Saline solution or dog eye wash
• Cotton Balls
• Vet prescription, if necessary

1. Determine if the Eye is Infected
   
   An infected eye will often be red, watery and have a considerable amount of discharge in or around it. The area may also be swollen. You may notice that your dog is pawing around the eye.

2. Flush the Dog's Eye
   
   Sometimes what may look like an infection is actually a simple irritation and further treatment is not necessary. Using saline solution or a commercial dog eye wash, flush the eye several times over the course of 24 hours. Gently wipe away the excess fluid and any gook or discharge from the eye with a cotton ball.

3. Consult the Vet
   
   If the condition of the dog's eye does not improve within 24-48 hours after continual flushing, consult your vet. The vet will administer medicated eye drops to treat common dog eye infections such as dog conjunctivitis (pink eye). Antibiotics may also be prescribed.

4. Apply a Compress
   
   Throughout the eye infection treatment, apply a warm rag around the eye to help soothe your pet. If both eyes are infected, be sure to not transfer a dirty rag from one eye to the other.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the dog's eye area is properly groomed to avoid hair from irritating the eye.
• If you notice any change of vision in your dog, contact your vet immediately.

[Mitestarossa]

on 6/13/2009 It is good to take action quickly because you do not want your dog suffering for long.

[woot]

on 6/10/2009 Thanks for the tips on treating a dog with eye infection. I agree that you can start treating moderate looking irritation or infection yourself. However, if the eye has pus or is greatly swollen, it is best not to wait but talk to the vet immediately. Bad eye infections can quickly get out of hand and make a dog very sick or even kill it.