Dogs can also get eye infections due to viral or bacterial attacks. An infected dog's eyes will usually itch, swell, redden, and discharge. This eye infection can cause damage to the dog's eyes and even lead to blindness. To treat this infection, get your dog checked by a veterinarian so he can get an official diagnosis and medical treatment that can prevent the disease from getting worse.
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Part 1 of 2: Getting a Diagnosis from a Vet
Step 1. Ask the difference between eye discharge and eye infection
While discharge from the eye and other symptoms of eye irritation may seem bothersome and uncomfortable to the dog, this does not ensure that the dog has an eye infection. Dogs may excrete eye discharge due to foreign objects entering their eyes, allergies, scratches to the eyes, or dry eye conditions. Dogs may also have a blocked tear duct, an eye ulcer or tumor, or a genetic problem that causes their eyes to bulge or their eyelids to turn upside down.
The only way you can be sure your dog has an eye infection is to get him checked by a vet
Step 2. Let the vet examine the dog's eyes
First, the vet will take the dog's temperature and observe the dog's movements or gait in the examination room. This will help the veterinarian determine if there is a problem with your dog's vision due to an eye infection. The vet will then examine the irritated dog's eye using an ophthalmoscope, a flashlight-like device that can help check for foreign bodies, tumors, or abnormalities in the dog's eyes.
- The vet will check for problems around the dog's eyes, such as swelling or paralysis. After that, the doctor will check for redness of the whites or tissue around the dog's eyeballs, and check if the dog's eye discharge is colored or thick.
- The vet will also check to see if your dog can blink normally and responds to movements in front of him, such as waving his hand at him. The vet should also check if the dog's pupils respond normally to light and darkness.
Step 3. Make sure the doctor performs a test on the dog's eyes
The doctor may also perform tests to confirm an eye infection in the dog. These tests include:
- Fluorescent staining. In this test, the doctor will use a chemical-coated sheet of paper to examine the dog's eyes. The chemical on this sheet of paper, fluorescence, will appear green in areas of the eye that have been injured by scratches or ulcers.
- Schirmer's test. This test will measure the level of the dog's tear production. In this easy and quick test, the vet will place a test strip on the dog's eye to measure its tear production. The results of this test will help the veterinarian determine whether the dog is producing tears normally or is increasing/decreasing due to infection.
Part 2 of 2: Coping With Infection
Step 1. Use a warm washcloth to remove dirt from the dog's eyes
It's a good idea to clean the eye discharge that collects in the hairs around the infected dog's eyes with a warm washcloth.
However, don't use the same washcloth to clean your dog's eyes, as this can cause scratches and damage to his eyes
Step 2. Clean the dog's eyes with saline solution
A saline solution can help clean your dog's eyes and reduce irritation. Use a dropper to pour this solution into your dog's eyes 3-4 times a day.
Step 3. Give the dog the antibiotics prescribed by the doctor
The vet should prescribe antibiotics to help treat eye infections in dogs. This antibiotic may be given in the form of eye drops or ointment, and should be applied to the infected eye 3-4 times a day.
- The veterinarian may also prescribe oral antibiotics that must be given to the dog through its food.
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Follow these steps when giving your dog eye drops or ointment:
- Ask someone to help hold the dog.
- Prepare everything in advance.
- Hold the dog's eyelids open.
- Get close behind the dog's eyes so he doesn't move away.
- Do not touch the surface of the dog's eye with the tip of the tube of eye drops or ointment.
- Let the dog blink to spread the medicine.
- Repeat at the time interval recommended in the recipe.
Step 4. Attach a cone if your dog tries to scratch or poke his eyes
You must prevent your dog from scratching or scratching his eyes. If your dog tries to scratch or rub his eyes with an object, you may need to attach a mouthpiece or an Elizabethan collar to prevent your dog from aggravating his eye condition.
You also shouldn't let your dog stick its head out of the car window while traveling, as insects and dust can get into the infected eye, making the irritation worse
Step 5. Keep the dog away from dusty areas
Try to keep your dog away from dusty rooms or areas while the eye infection is recovering. You should also prevent your dog from playing in dusty areas to prevent his eyes from getting infected.
