How to Treat Your Dog's Eye Infection
An infection in your dog's eye can occur when a bacterial or viral agent comes in contact with the eye. Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is one common eye infection that dogs can contract. Regular grooming can help prevent eye infections from occurring, so make eye care part of your normal grooming routine. This involves using a cotton ball moistened with lukewarm water and wiping away at dirt that has built up on the fur around the eyes, which can harbor harmful bacteria. If your dog does contract an eye infection, visit your veterinarian for prescription eyedrops that you will then use to treat your dog's eye infection at home.
Things You'll Need
- Veterinary appointment
- Eyedrops
- Cotton balls
- Warm water
- Artificial tears solution
Instructions
-
-
1
Be aware of dog eye infection symptoms. Your dog may itch at its eye a lot with a paw. Eyes also may appear bloodshot, crusty or swollen shut.
-
2
Visit your vet and obtain prescription eyedrops to treat the particular infection. Your vet likely will administer the drops in the office and give you instruction on how to give the drops to your dog at home.
-
-
3
At home, pet your dog and have it lay on his side. Keep it calm by petting and praising it. Have the eyedropper ready to go within arm's reach.
-
4
Hold your dog's snout with one hand and hold the eyedropper in your other hand. Put your hand with the eyedropper in it gently on your dog's forehead, above the eye. Drop the medicine into your dog's lower eyelid, being sure to keep gentle pressure on the forehead to reduce the amount of jerking your dog can do.
-
5
When your dog has calmed down after receiving the medicine, remove crusted material from around the eyes. Moisten a cotton ball with a sterile artificial tears solution. Wipe the fur around the eye to dislodge and remove any crusty material. Use a new cotton ball on each eye to prevent cross-contamination.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
