Just like humans, your pets may suffer eye infections. When this happens, it causes discomfort and even vision loss in severe cases. Thankfully, when pet eye infections are treated early, it takes a few days for the infection to clear. If you suspect your pet has an eye infection in Cincinnati, OH, please book an appointment with Westside Animal Hospital for diagnosis and treatment.
Common Causes of Pet Eye Infections
Common causes of pet infections are bacteria and viruses. Bacteria can be transmitted from one animal to another as they interact. The other common causes of pet eye infections include:
- Fungi
- Parasites
- Eye injuries like scratches
- Foreign objects in the eye
- Allergens like pollen and chemicals
It’s worth noting that not all eye problems stem from an infection. Your pet may have eye conditions like glaucoma, tumors, and dry eye, and you can easily confuse this with infections. For this reason, we urge pet parents to visit our animal hospital whenever they spot signs and symptoms of eye infections.
Symptoms of Pet Eye Infections
How can you tell your pet has an eye infection? There are several symptoms of pet eye infections. These include:
- Eye discharge
- Eye redness
- Swelling around the eye
- Light sensitivity
- Excessive tearing
- Squinting or frequent blinking
- Pawing or rubbing the affected eye
Before trying any home remedies to treat your pet’s eyes, consult with our veterinarians. Since you don’t know the cause of the infection, home remedies may be ineffective and painful. The best course of action is to seek veterinary services for proper diagnosis and treatment.
How Veterinarians Treat Pet Eye Infections
Since there are several causes of eye infections, treatments vary. However, common treatments we offer for pet eye infections include:
- If bacteria are the cause, we offer antibiotics and eye drops. For antibiotics, don’t stop the dosage halfway, even if the infection shows symptoms of improvement. Failing to complete the dosage may cause reinfection.
- When our veterinarian establishes that allergy is the cause of eye infection, we recommend antihistamines
- If the cause of the infection is a foreign object, we remove the object carefully when your pet is under anesthesia
- Blocked tear ducts may require surgery
Visit Us for Pet Eye Care
If you suspect your pet has an eye infection in Cincinnati, don’t take chances by trying to manage the symptoms at home. Instead, book an appointment with Westside Animal Hospital for proper diagnosis and treatment. Even when the cause of the infection is an underlying issue, we have the expertise and experience to diagnose and treat numerous pet conditions.
