Treatment for Dog Eye Infections
An eye infection may be caused by a virus, a bacterial infection, or a reaction to certain allergens in the air. Though there could be other causes, these three are the most commonly seen as being responsible for eye infections in dogs.
Treatment for an eye infection depends on the cause, and will be prescribed by a veterinarian after the proper diagnostic procedures. Here are some of the most common treatment options for curing eye infections in dogs.
Medicated Eye Drops
This type of medication is commonly used for eye infections classified as conjunctivitis. Depending on the specific type of conjunctivitis that a dog is experiencing (allergy, viral, bacterial), different types of medications may be used in the eye drop form. These eye drops are usually administered several times per day, and may or may not be accompanied by other medications prescribed by a veterinarian.
Some eye drops may cause temporary discomfort for your dog, due to the medications contained in the formula. Although there are some eye drops that are available over-the-counter for use with dog eye infections, it is always best to follow your veterinarian's recommendations when choosing the best treatment for your dog.
Oral Medications
This type of treatment is commonly used as a stand-alone treatment for dogs with eye infections, though may be combined with other types of medications as well. Oral medications are commonly used to treat eye infections in dogs, usually as a first line of treatment. If a dog is experiencing an eye infection that is caused by a bacterial infection, there are several different antibiotics that a veterinarian may prescribe as an oral dosage treatment.
If a dog is experiencing an eye infection because of airborne allergens, an anti-allergy medication may be prescribed. If a dog has an eye infection because of a viral infection, a veterinarian may prescribe oral medications that will help manage the symptoms of that viral infection.
Eye Scrubs
This treatment option sounds harsh, but it is actually a common treatment for dogs that are experiencing eye infection. An eye scrub is a specialized formula designed for dogs with eye infections, and is usually pH-balanced. Though there are many different eye scrubs that are available over-the-counter, there are some formulas that are only available by being prescribed by a veterinarian.
Even if you only use an over-the-counter formula, it is very important that you first consult your veterinarian before administering any type of treatment at home.