What is Neonatal Ophthalmia?
Eye infection with inflammation of the conjunctiva (also called pink eye or red eye) is a common condition in dogs. Newborn puppies are especially prone to developing conjunctivitis at about two weeks of age, shortly before or shortly after their eyes first open. Bacteria acquired from the mother during the birth process spread to the eye which is unable to properly flush itself at that age. As the bacteria reproduce and grow in numbers, the eye becomes infected and swollen, often exuding a thick purulent discharge. Most conditions are treatable if caught early, but delayed treatment can result in complications and vision loss.
Newborn dogs sometimes develop an eye infection during the first few weeks of life, before their eyes are fully open. Bacteria multiply behind the eyelid causing infection, swollen eyelids, and discharge of pus. In veterinary terms, this is called Neonatal Conjunctivitis or Neonatal Ophthalmia.Symptoms of Neonatal Ophthalmia in Dogs
It’s crucial to treat neonatal conjunctivitis early, so take your puppy to see a veterinarian immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Eyes are swollen or bulging before they open
- Discharge of mucus or pus as the eyes start to open
- Eyelids crusted over with discharge
- Eyelids glued together by discharge
- Red or watery eyes
- Generally poor health and failure to thrive
Types
Conjunctivitis in dogs is divided into several types. Most neonatal conjunctivitis falls into the category of purulent conjunctivitis. Occasionally other conditions can sometimes be mistaken for conjunctivitis.
- Serious conjunctivitis - characterized by redness, itching or clear discharge; often caused by an allergic reaction or an infection from a foreign body.
- Follicular (mucoid) conjunctivitis - characterized by rough patches on the eye and discharge of mucus; caused by inflammation of the mucosal follicles in response to an infection or a foreign body.
- Purulent conjunctivitis - characterized by the discharge of pus, crusted eyelids and inflamed conjunctiva; usually related to a bacterial infection; common strains include streptococcus or staphylococcus. This type of conjunctivitis should always be treated by a veterinarian.
- Chronic conjunctivitis - recurring conjunctivitis that does not respond to treatment.
- Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) - a serious condition in which the tear glands fail to produce sufficiently. Since it causes either dry or watery eyes, it can sometimes be confused with conjunctivitis.
Causes of Neonatal Ophthalmia in Dogs
The vast majority of eye infections in newborn dogs are caused by bacteria from the mother with is acquired during the birth process. Since a puppy’s eyes normally take 10-14 days to open, the bacteria will not be immediately be flushed out of the eye and has ample opportunity to proliferate.
- Ankyloblepharon, a condition in which the eyelids are partially fused together, can increase the likelihood of neonatal infection.
- Puppies born in the same litter often develop similar infections.
- More serious systemic bacterial infections or sepsis can sometimes cause or contribute to neonatal conjunctivitis.
- Congenital eye conditions can occasionally lead to similar symptoms
Diagnosis of Neonatal Ophthalmia in Dogs
Neonatal conjunctivitis can usually be diagnosed based on the symptoms and the time of onset. Describe the puppy’s symptoms to your veterinarian and arrange an office visit at the earliest possible time. The veterinarian will be able to analyze the condition by observing the symptoms and most likely prescribe treatment. If the condition is not responsive to treatment, a bacterial culture test may be required for further analysis.
Any obvious symptoms like eye swelling and discharge are crucial to making an accurate diagnosis. Additional factors like the age or the puppy, the degree to which its eyes are opened, and the health of other members of the litter can also be important. The overall health and demeanor of the puppy can also help to indicate if there is a problem.
Treatment of Neonatal Ophthalmia in Dogs
The most important and immediate treatment will be to fully open the puppy’s eyelids and flush out the bacteria. With puppies at least a week old, the eyelids may be able to be gently pried apart. If the puppy is still very young, or if there is a genetic abnormality and the lids are partially fused, the veterinarian will need to use a surgical instrument to separate them.
Once the eyelids are open, the veterinarian will clean out the accumulated discharge and prescribe antibiotic drops or ointment. Most likely this medication will need to be applied daily. Young puppies do not produce adequate tears, so artificial tears may also need to be prescribed to prevent the cornea from drying out and causing further complications. Any medication containing corticosteroids is absolutely contraindicated as it will inhibit the eye’s natural ability to flush.
If the discharge continues and the eyelids become stuck together again, they will need to be re-separated and cleaned. Most infections will clear up with antibiotic treatment. If the infection fails to respond to treatment, another office visit, and further analyzation will be required.
Recovery of Neonatal Ophthalmia in Dogs
Most puppies with neonatal eye infection make a complete recovery with no reoccurrence or complications. If treatment is delayed, however, or the condition is left untreated, it can damage the cornea and cause vision impairment or blindness and these conditions will need to be managed.
The overall health of the puppy can also be a contributing factor in recovery, so it’s important to maintain adequate feeding and nutrition. This may include hand feeding if the mother is absent, or ensuring that the puppy isn’t pushed aside by stronger siblings at feeding time. It’s also important to ensure that other siblings are treated if they exhibit any symptoms to prevent cross-infection.
Neonatal Ophthalmia Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
My Chihuahua My puppy is 2 weeks in half but on eye it have like crest he open it but the same thing very time I clean him.
Read more at: https://wagwalking.com/condition/neonatal-ophthalmia
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puppy has brown stuff in his eye
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Pug’s are prone to numerous eye problems and the eye bulging may be just a characteristic of his breed. The brown discharge may be due to an eye infection; the best thing to do is to visit your Veterinarian to rule out other causes of brown discharge and to get some drops and instructions on eye flushing. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
and now he is 1 year old
i am from india and i have one saint bernard and since he was puppy he have one problem in his eye it is red and it look like something thick red material sticks on it for down eyelid to half upward it is covered but it is not cherry eye so plzzzzz advice me what to do
hello Dr. I have a 5 day old chihuahua mixed. I habe been having yo bottle feed her because she won't latch on to her mom. I noticed that her eyes are very puffy.
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I have a 7 day old dachshund with both swollen eyes. Eyes have not started to open yet. There is no discharge coming from the eyes but if touched, the puppy cries and seems to be in pain.I keep the blankets very clean. Is there anything I can do to reduce swelling and pain?
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i have 4day old puppy with swollen eyes and has fluid coming out. i tried to gently open and clean with eye solution but it will not open completely. what will i do?
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I have a 7 day old goldendoodle and he has pus draining from his drainage angle of his right eye. And his eye is swollen. And when I press on it some pus leaks out. His eyes have not started to open. I am a breeder and try to keep everything as clean as possible. Is there a way for me to prevent this in the future?
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i have 4day old puppy with swollen eyes and has fluid coming out. i tried to gently open and clean with eye solution but it will not open completely. what will i do?
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We found him with his litter. Should I take him to the vet or just keep it clean and separate him from his litter. His eye was swollen and had like crust so I cleaned it with some water and as I was cleaning it pus was coming out as I very gently pressed it
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Zoey was born between two already dead pups so mom emded up pushing her away. She is great at feeding and bowel movements but just today noticed her eye is extremely swollen. Not old enough yet to have them open all the way. Nothing comes out when I wipe I with a warm towel. Any other advice without going to a vet immediately? (It is sunday, none are open).
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I have a 7 week old puppy and she has puss in her eyes since this morning every hour and we have been cleaning it, but it doesn't seem like it is getting better.What should we do?
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I have 5day old American Bully pup who I noticed eye was swollen. 30 min later I noticed yellowish dischargecoming out. After cleaning with a warm towel, I called the vet in the town I’m working in. Well needless to say they only have one doctor and they wouldn’t be able to see till next Thursday. The next closest vet is 2hrs out of our way. The eye looks normal now but I still want to flush it out with an eye solution. Please help what are my options?
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Eye my newborn came out with a red thing on her head and her eye was open, red, and swollen. She's been alive throughout the whole night and she is currently alive but she wasnt eating throughout the night nor the morning. I've been holding her to the nipped to eat and she's been eating. Do you know what I should do? And do you know what is on her head & why her eyeball is like that?
My puppy is 9 days,eyes still closed and there is a drainage from the left eye help!! Don’t know what to treat it with since his eye is closed.
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I have a 7 day old french female pup her eyes are not open and at 10:45pm today her eye became inflamed so I did put warm compress on it for 10 seconds and tried to open the eye gently it 2oyld mot open however there was enough of an opening like a pimple the light yellow stuff came out of it and then I proceeded to flush what I could with saline the swelling went down it's Sunday so first thing in the morning I will be going to hospital with her I also separated her from other puppies and she ate seperately do u have any advice in the mean time as to what to do
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I have a 18 day premature pup. Her eyes have not opened. No crusting or leakage could it be eyes are still developing?