• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

How to tell if your dog has an eye infection

Posted September 10, 2018

 
Close-up of a dog eye. Learn to recognize the signs of a dog eye infection. Veterinarians can provide treatment options to help prevent serious damage.
Learn to recognize the signs of a dog eye infection. Veterinarians can provide treatment options to help prevent severe damage.

Dogs can get eye infections just like humans can, and there are multiple causes and symptoms. Luckily, your veterinarian can provide treatment options for a dog eye infection and help prevent severe damage.

This article will provide an overview of eye infections in dogs, explain how to tell if your dog has an eye infection and recommend courses of treatment and prevention.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of a dog eye infection include redness, swelling and thick, dry or otherwise unusual discharge. You may also notice your dog blinking or holding the affected eye shut, pawing or rubbing at the eye or reacting strongly to light.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it’s a good idea to contact your veterinarian. These signs can indicate eye infections as well as other conditions that look like eye infections but aren’t.

What causes a dog eye infection

Your pup can get a dog eye infection in many ways. An infection can be caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses such as canine influenza, irritants, scratches on the cornea or foreign matter like dust getting into the eye.

Conditions like dry eye can also cause Infection-like symptoms, tear duct problems common in cocker spaniels and poodles, and Cherry eye, which occurs when a dog’s protective third eyelid protrudes.

Certain breeds are predisposed to dog eye infections and other eye problems, including Maltese, Pekinese, Shih Tzus, and Pugs. Breed, genetics, and eye positioning can all contribute to risk for eye infections.

How can you help your dog?

If you think your dog might have an eye infection, contact your veterinarian immediately. Your vet can recommend treatments for different types of infections. If severe or chronic issues like an allergy or tumor cause your dog’s symptoms, your vet also can help you figure out how to address the root problem. Make sure to follow instructions, administering medicines only as directed.

To prevent future eye infections, keep your dog well-groomed, watch out for symptoms and help your dog avoid irritants and injury by closing your car windows while you drive and exercising caution when letting your dog play outside.

By being aware of the symptoms and checking your dog’s eyes regularly, you can help keep your pet safe and healthy.

Emily Folk is a pet blogger and avid dog lover. You can read more of her work on her blog, Conservation Folks.

Dog eye infection graphic
Courtesy TopDogTips.com
 

Related Posts

  • Photo illustration for common dog health problems. Use these tips to watch for seven common dog health problems and understand treatment options you can use to keep your pup happy and healthy.
    Learn to identify and treat 7 common dog health problems

    Use these tips to watch for seven common dog health…

  • canine arthritis
    Canine arthritis: 7 tips to keep your dog healthy

    To help keep your dog healthy, monitor his weight and…

  • Bernese Mountain Dog drinks from collapsible water bowl. Excessive thirst is a sign of serious dog health problems like diabetes, kidney failure, liver disease, leptospirosis, and Cushing's Disease.
    Excessive thirst warns of dog health problems like Cushing's Disease

    Excessive thirst is a sign of serious dog health problems…

  • stop dog shedding with regular brushing
    Regular brushing key to dog health

    Regular brushing offers health benefits to your dog including keeping…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Health, Home Page Tagged With: Health conditions

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

WaterOld dogsPoodlePawOutdoor activitiesTicksWorking dogsPetfinder.comSeparation anxietyVeterinarianPuppy kindergartenRottweilerPomeranianPotty trainingPandemicService dogsPuppy-proofValentine's DaySmall dogsVacation dog carePit bullTwo dogsRescue dogYorkshire terrierSheddingtraining tipsPet parentsThanksgivingSocializationPet sitter

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Meet the 9 most popular large dog breeds that make great pets
    Now that you know more about the most popular large dog breeds, it's time to consider their merits and choose the right one. […]
  • Want to adopt? Use Petfinder.com to find your next pup
    PetFinder.com compiles pet info from rescue websites across the country into one spot for an easy search by breed, location, and more. […]
  • Is a large, muscular Cane Corso your dream dog?
    The Cane Corso needs an experienced owner. While bred to guard and intimidate, the dogs can be affectionate and docile if trained properly. […]
  • Understand potential dangers of vaping for dogs to protect your furry friend
    Vaping can be dangerous for dogs, who can be exposed to harmful chemicals in e-cigarette smoke or ingest nicotine-containing products. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.