Eye Infections in Dogs Everything You Need to Know

Eye infections can be uncomfortable for your dog, which is why it’s important to treat them as soon as possible.

Here, you can read more about what to watch out for, how the diagnosis is made, and how eye infections are treated.

What Is an Eye Infection in Dogs?

An eye infection occurs due to inflammation of the eye’s mucous membrane. There are many reasons why your dog might develop an eye infection, but here are some of the most common:

• Infection from bacteria or viruses

• Allergic reaction

• Irritation from dust, chemicals, or other substances

• Blocked or infected tear ducts

• Tumors or eyelid disorders

What Are the Symptoms of an Eye Infection?

When your dog has an eye infection, the mucous membrane of the eye becomes swollen and red.

You may also notice excessive tearing and yellow discharge around the eye. Your dog may appear irritated and will often try to scratch the eye with its paws.

If the infection spreads, the cornea may become grayish and cloudy.

How Does the Vet Make a Diagnosis?

When you take your dog to the vet for an eye infection, the vet will perform a thorough examination.

If there’s a suspicion that the infection is contagious, the vet will typically take a sample to identify the type of bacteria.

Additional tests may also be conducted to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

How Is an Eye Infection Treated?

If your dog doesn’t seem to be in severe discomfort, you can try rinsing the eye with an eye wash solution or saline.

This can help remove dust or debris that might be causing the infection.

If the infection doesn’t improve after about a day and your dog seems irritated, you should contact your vet.

Depending on the cause of the infection, your dog may receive different types of treatment. This could include eye drops containing antibiotics or corticosteroids.

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.