Pink Eye in Dogs

• Environmental irritation such as mites, dust, pollen, and smoke
• Obstructed tear ducts
• Bacterial infection such as streptococcus and staphylococcus
• Viral infection such as Canine Distemper Virus
• Congenital or breed-specific ailments and abnormalities

Types

• Irritation
• Bacterial infection
• Viral illness
• Congenital defect

Owners should monitor their dog’s eyes for redness and swelling. Sometimes, blowing dust or a swim in murky water can cause temporary irritation, but if these symptoms do not go away after a couple of hours, or there is mucous discharge present, see a veterinarian right away.

The veterinarian’s aim will be to determine whether conjunctivitis is the only problem, or if it is indicative of an underlying condition. This will involve an eye exam to check whether there is any damage to the eye itself or associated structures like tear ducts, eyelashes and eyelids. The veterinarian may take a swab of any discharge to determine the type of infection. This sample will be cultured to identify the infection and prescribe a suitable medication.

If an underlying condition beyond infection is suspected, tear production tests, corneal stain tests, or measurement of intra-ocular pressure may be taken to make sure any of the eye’s functions are not impaired. Any physical abnormalities will also be assessed for surgical correction, possibly including a biopsy, where a sample of tissue will be taken for laboratory testing to rule out malignancy. However, tumors of the eyelids and conjunctiva are uncommon.

If your dog is prone to allergic or environmental irritation of the eyes, your veterinarian may prescribe eyedrops to lubricate the eye and flush out any irritants. Additionally, antihistamines may be prescribed in eyedrop, pill or syrup form to ease discomfort from allergies as needed. These are low-risk treatments easily administered at home. Allergies or irritation may be acute (temporary) or chronic conditions, but pose little threat to health if properly managed.

If the cultures come back as positive for a bacterial infection, an appropriate antibiotic will be prescribed, such as oxytetracycline, tobramycin, or ciprofloxacin. These may come in eyedrop, ointment or pill form, and are usually administered over a period of 1-3 weeks. For treatment to be effective, the entire course of antibiotics should be taken, even if symptoms improve before the last dose is reached. Antibiotics do carry some risk of side effects such as vomiting and gastrointestinal distress, but these are usually mild, especially if taken as directed. In the rare case of antibiotic-resistant infection, a multi-drug approach may be taken. Usually infections are rare and unlikely to re-occur, but frequent interaction with contaminated material (e.g. toilet water getting in eyes from drinking) may cause relapse. A clean and well-ventilated living space greatly reduces risk.

Conjunctivitis is sometimes a symptom of an underlying condition, such as Canine Distemper Virus or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, also called Dry Eye. Congenital defects of the eye, such as those common among collies, may also increase susceptibility to conjunctivitis. In this case, the veterinarian will treat your dog according to the underlying condition or defect, which may include treating for infection as described above. This treatment approach will vary based on the specific condition.