Treating Eye Infections in Pets: Medication and Care

Pets can develop eye infections that cause pain, redness, and inflammation, just like humans do. Healing and avoiding additional complications depends on prompt assessment and treatment, whether your dog is squinting or your cat is pawing at its face with a watery or swollen eye. Fortunately, your pet can bounce back quickly with the correct pet eye drops, good hygiene, and, if required, veterinary guidance. In this article we will discuss the most common reasons why pets can develop eye infections, how to administer medications like cat eye medicine and dog eye infection treatments, and tips for long-term pet eye care to get your four-legged friend back to full health in no time! 

 What are the Key Causes of Pet Eye Infections?

A variety of issues can cause eye infections in pets, such as:

• Bacterial or viral infections: Contact with infectious animals or contaminated surfaces can lead to bacterial or viral infections, which are among the most frequent causes.
• Seasonal Allergies: Pollen and dust mites are examples of seasonal allergens that can irritate and cause inflammation.
• Foreign bodies: Dust, grass seeds, or even a stray eyelash can become lodged in the eye and cause irritation and discomfort.
• Trauma or injury: If left untreated, a scrape on the surface of the eye, frequently brought on by rough play or interactions with other animals, may become infected.
• Underlying medical concerns: Your pet may be more susceptible to infections if they have disorders like dry eye or abnormalities of the eyelids.
  

Some signs of an eye infection could include:

• Noticeable redness or swelling
• Excessive discharge, which could be clear, yellow, or green
• Frequent blinking or squinting more than usual
• Pawing or rubbing the face frequently
• Sensitivity to bright light
• Noticeable crusting around the eye
  

Early detection of these signs allows you to take prompt action, such as using pet eye drops or making an appointment with your veterinarian for more advice.

How to Apply Eye Drops to Your Pet

It can be tricky to apply eye medication, particularly if your pet is anxious or has never received treatment to their eye before. Here's a detailed guide to help the application be smoother:

1. Prepare the medication & application method: Wash your hands and ensure you have your dog eye infection treatment or cat eye medicine ready to administer. We’d also suggest having some tissues or cotton pads and treats on hand for afterwards.
2. Ensure your pet is securely held: Prevent sudden movement by having someone gently hold your pet or wrap them in a towel for extra security. For cats, a snug towel wrap helps prevent scratches.
3. Tilt your pet’s head upward: Gently hold your pet’s head steady with one hand and tilt it upward so the eyes are easily accessible for you to administer treatment.
4. Open the eyelid: Gently open the eye and hold the eyelids apart with your thumb and index finger. 
5. Apply the medication: Hold the dropper above the eye and administer the prescribed number of drops. Be sure to avoid touching the dropper to the eye surface, as this can spread infection. 
6. Let your pet blink several times: This helps spread the medication evenly over the eye and will give a much better application. 
7. Reward and praise your pet: Offer a treat or praise for a job well done to reassure your pet and make future applications easier next time!
   

It's important to be consistent with your treatment. The majority of pet eye medications will be administered once or twice a day for a specified period of time. It’s important to see your veterinarian if symptoms continue to persist or if you have any concerns about the health of your pet’s eyes. 

Common Medications for Pet Eye Infections

For the quick and efficient treatment of eye infections in dogs and cats, PetPA has an extensive range of veterinarian-approved pet eye care options. The following are some of the most common medications available:

1. Antibiotic Eye Drops and Ointments: Used to treat bacterial infections such as conjunctivitis and are available in both drop and ointment form.
2. Anti-inflammatory Drops: For soothing inflammation and reducing swelling, especially if caused by allergies or minor irritants in pets.
3. Lubricating Eye Gels: Ideal for pets with dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), these lubricating drops provide moisture and prevent corneal damage. They also give relief and comfort from dry eyes. 
4. Allergy Relief Eye Drops: These help manage eye inflammation caused by environmental allergies and are often used in both cats and dogs.

When selecting cat eye medicine or dog eye infection treatment, you should always consult with your vet first. To avoid resistance and prolonged healing time, your vet will be able to advise you on the correct use of antibiotics for eye infection treatment. You can explore our full range of vet-approved pet eye drops and medications here.

When to See a Vet

Over-the-counter pet eye drops can be used to treat many mild eye irritations at home, but other symptoms call for a veterinarian's care. You should definitely consult your veterinarian if:

• The discharge thickens or changes colour, turning green or yellow, for example
• There is a hazy or blue-grey coating in your pet's eye
• The eye is obviously enlarged or protruding
• Your pet is refusing to open their eyes or is in pain
• After 2-3 days of medication, the symptoms do not get better

Sometimes what seems like a straightforward infection could be an indication of something more serious, such as glaucoma, corneal ulcers, or eye trauma. A timely diagnosis guarantees the proper care for your pet and will protect them against long-term harm. Depending on the underlying cause, your vet may prescribe stronger antibiotics or antiviral drops and do a fluorescein stain test to check for scratches or ulcers in the eye.

Prevention: Daily Habits for Ultimate Pet Eye Health

Good pet eye care is more than just treating infections—it’s also about preventative eye health measures to stop infections from recurring. Here are a few ideas you can add to your pet’s routine to support long-term eye health and maintain good sight:

1. Regular, gentle eye cleansing: You can gently wipe around your pet’s eyes with a clean, damp cloth or pick up some pet-safe wipes that are ideally formulated for pets. These remove dirt and help reduce the appearance of tear stains, supporting better eye hygiene for your pet.
2. Keep an eye out for allergies: If your pet suffers from allergens in the spring and summer months, try to limit their exposure to known irritants such as dust, pollen, or household chemicals. Vacuuming frequently, wiping down surfaces, and keeping bedding clean and washed help to reduce airborne allergens.
3. Maintain regular vet checkups: Annual vet exams help catch early signs of eye problems. Your vet can also recommend specific products for pets prone to dry eyes, irritation, or allergies. If you have an ageing pet, your vet may recommend more frequent vet visits. 
4. Keep pet grooming in check: If you have a long-haired breed, be sure to keep their coat trimmed around the eyes to prevent irritation. Infection is more likely to occur when there is matted, dirty hair around the eyes. This can also lead to other health complications. 
5. Never give human-grade medications: No matter how soft, safe, or effective human eye drops claim to be, they can be extremely toxic to pets. Unless given direction specifically by your vet, these should not be used under any circumstances and can often do more harm than good. 

Be proactive! You can significantly lower your pet's risk of infection and maintain the health, brightness, and clarity of their eyes by practicing regular and proactive pet eye care. 

PetPA: For Everything You Need to Know About Pet Eye Care

Pet eye infections occur often, but they are generally treatable with the correct knowledge, pet eye treatment, and care. Being proactive can help your pet avoid discomfort and maintain their vision, from identifying the causes when they first appear; to knowing when it’s time to see a veterinarian. Managing eye infections in cats and dogs can be stressful, that’s why we provide a full range of pet eye drops, cat eye medicine, and many other vet-approved treatments. Plus, our expert team of pet lovers and owners are always here for advice, so just get in touch with our team if you have any queries or concerns about your pet's eye health. We will give advice and guidance on the right treatment and approach, or, if required, suggest you check in with your vet for their recommendation on treatment. Good eye health is essential to your pet’s happiness, playtime, and connection with their humans, so let us give you the help they need and deserve!