Dog Pink Eye
What You Need To Know About Dog Pink Eye
The most likely questions one might ask regarding dog pink eye, are (1) - what is it? (2) - what causes it? (3) Is it serious? and (4) can I catch it? For starters, dog pink eye is roughly the same as human pink eye, it is a condition known as conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the membranes covering the whites of the eye, and also the membranes covering the inner surface of the eyelids. We say roughly the same, as a dog's eye is not in all aspects the same as a human eye. Some treatments for human pink eye will work on dogs, others will not, and vice versa.
There are a number of things which can cause dog pink eye. While we treat pink eye as a disease, and essentially it is, pink eye is an inflammation, an inflammation of tissues can be brought about by a number of different things. The cause of pink eye, when known, can sometimes influence the course of treatment. In the case of a dog, it may be more difficult to ascertain the cause, especially if an allergy is involved. Pink eye can be caused by bacteria, by a virus, by a foreign object in the eye, or by an allergic reaction. One of the things that sets pink eye apart from just being a case of inflammation, is that most types of pink eye are highly contagious.
Better Safe Than Sorry - Pink eye in itself is usually not a serious condition, but still is one that should be looked into and treated. This advice holds for dogs as well as for humans. If untreated, infection may set in, or additional tissue may become inflamed, a situation one does not want to occur in the eyeball, as damage to vision could result. Because the possibility of further damage to the eye is present, it is always best to place the dog under the care of a veterinarian unless one is experienced in treating the condition at home. Using an antibiotic solution or eye drops for a dog's eyes that are meant for human eyes could damage the dog's eyes. On the other hand, some treatments, such as artificial tears to wash out the eyes, work equally as well for dogs as they do for people.
Can I Catch It? - Most people in authority will tell you that dog pink eye cannot be transmitted to humans. Whatever is causing the condition, be it bacteria or a virus, cannot leap the species barrier. It also appears that it is seldom that dog pink eye is transmitted from one breed to another, or even one dog to another, a possible exception being transmission among litter mates. Some beg to differ on this issue however, so it's probably best to wash hands thoroughly after treating your dog's eyes before you touch your own. Most cases of contagion seem to occur when only one of a dog's eyes is affected. Improper handling or touching can sometimes spread the condition to the other eye, so bear this in mind if your pup only has a problem in one eye.
Symptoms - If your dog contracts a case of pink eye, the symptoms will usually consist of a noticeable redness or inflammation around the eye, often accompanied by a discharge. As is the case with humans, this discharge may at times cause the eyelids to stick together, especially if the dog has been asleep for some time. Itching can also accompany the inflammation. A dog will often either use a paw or rub against something to relieve the itching or wipe away the discharge. Even if only inflammation is observed, treatment by a veterinarian is the recommended approach.