Although pet eye infections are not critical, these medical concerns can cause pain, discomfort and affect your pet's quality of life. Infections usually result from allergies, injuries, bacteria, viruses, or foreign bodies. Symptoms vary depending on the type of infection, which may include excessive tearing, redness, soreness, light sensitivity, and discharge.
If you live in Williamsburg, VA, it's important to contact our veterinarian at Middle Plantation Animal Hospital if you notice signs of eye infection. Read below to learn the common pet eye infections, home remedies to ease pain, and when to contact a vet for treatment.
Common Pet Eye Infections
Eye infections can affect dogs and cats, leading to discomfort and potentially causing more severe issues if left untreated. Common eye infections in pets include conjunctivitis, uveitis, and corneal ulcers.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is a common disease in cats and dogs, causing irritation or inflammation of the soft tissue that lines the inside of the eyelids. It can be caused by allergic reactions from irritants, including dust and shampoo, and can occur in one or both eyes. Pink eye is commonly caused by adenovirus and varicella Zoster virus. Bacteria, including Staphylococcus Aureus, can also cause it. Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis is contagious and can spread to other pets in the home.
Common symptoms of conjunctivitis include rubbing of the face on surfaces, squinting or excessive blinking, and cloudy white, yellow, or green discharge. If you notice these symptoms, take your pet to our vet clinic. We will perform a physical examination to check for foreign bodies and observe your pet's behavior. Our veterinarian will then prescribe treatment methods, including cold compression, steroid drops/ointment for viral or allergic conjunctivitis, and antibiotic drops/ointment for bacterial conjunctivitis.
Corneal Ulcers
A corneal ulcer is a condition where the outermost layer of the eyelid gets inflamed, resulting in pain. It can occur due to injury, bacteria, fungi, viral infections, or eyelid abnormalities. Symptoms of corneal ulcers include blurred vision, red eyes, discharge, itching, light sensation, and watery eyes. Corneal ulcers usually heal within a week, but our veterinarian can prescribe an antibiotic ointment or drop it if the symptoms persist. Ulcers due to eyelid abnormality or foreign bodies may need to be removed surgically.
Uveitis
Uveitis is a serious eye condition in cats and dogs where the middle part of the eye gets inflamed. This eye condition can be caused by trauma, infections including viral rabies, fungi, diabetes, cataracts, and corneal ulcers. In cats, it may be caused by the feline anemia virus.
Symptoms include increased blinking, light sensitivity, red eyes, irritability, and watery discharge. Our vet can diagnose uveitis by performing a detailed eye examination using an ophthalmoscope. After the diagnosis is completed, we can prescribe a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation. Uveitis due to trauma may need surgical repair.
Contact Our Veterinarian at Middle Plantation Animal Hospital
Pet eye infections can be uncomfortable and affect your pet's quality of life. However, a vet can identify and treat most of these infections. At Middle Plantation Animal Hospital in Williamsburg, VA, we can examine your pet's eyes for infections and offer personalized care and treatment. Contact us at (757) 345-6566 to book an appointment.