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 spreads 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 even vision loss.

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:

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.

The vast majority of eye infections in newborn dogs are caused by bacteria from the mother which is acquired during the birth process. Since a puppy’s eyes normally take 10-14 days to open, the bacteria will not be flushed out of the eye and have ample opportunity to proliferate.

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 will most likely prescribe treatment such as eye drops. 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.

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 several times a day. Young puppies do not always 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 and can cause bacteria to proliferate.

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 testing will be required.

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.