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Conjunctivitis rarely acts asindependent disease. In most cases, it is a manifestation of some other disease, for example, plague or infectious hepatitis. Conjunctivitis can also occur as a result of eye injury, irritation with detergents or other chemicals, sand, dust. Allergy to pollen of plants can also manifest as a conjunctivitis.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis in dogs occurs in four forms- catarrhal, purulent, follicular and phlegmonous. The catarrhal form of conjunctivitis is characterized by edema and reddening of the mucous membrane of the eye and lacrimation. In the absence of treatment, the acute form becomes chronic. When purulent conjunctivitis, these symptoms are accompanied by purulent discharge, which at first are liquid, and then become thick. The dried pus worries the dog, and she constantly rubs her eyes with paws. Often there is photophobia, causing the animal to screw up his eyes. Inflammatory process can affect not only the conjunctiva, but also the cornea. When follicular conjunctivitis on the inner surface of the third century, purulent follicles appear. Most often follicular conjunctivitis has a chronic form and periodically recurs. The most severe form is phlegmonous conjunctivitis, affecting, along with conjunctiva, subconjunctival tissue and epithelium. There is edematous eyelid, mucous or purulent discharge, annular protrusion of conjunctiva. The surface of the conjunctiva becomes vitreous, and ulcers appear on it.

Treatment and prevention of conjunctivitis

Treatment of conjunctivitis is to applyanti-inflammatory eye drops or ointments, which contain antibiotics. Anti-inflammatory drugs for oral administration are also prescribed. If conjunctivitis is a complication of another disease, first of all it is necessary to treat this disease. The veterinarian should be indicated by the results of examination of animal and laboratory tests. Independently the owner can provide the dog with only pre-medical help. The dog's eyes should be washed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, then moisten with a cotton swab with vaseline oil and remove purulent crusts. To reduce the pain of the dog and itching, you can put cool compresses on your eyes 2-3 times a day. Like any disease, conjunctivitis is easier to prevent than treat. To do this, every morning, wipe the eyes of the dog with a cotton swab dampened with boiled water, protect it from contact with animals that have symptoms of conjunctivitis, and promptly treat diseases that can cause conjunctivitis.