CONJUNCTIVITIS
Conjunctivitis
is the medical term for the inflammation of the tissue lining the eyelids. Dogs and cats have three eyelids. These include an upper eyelid, lower eyelid, and the “third” eyelid which is attached to the eye at the side closest to the nose, and then blinks out across the eye toward the ear.Causes of conjunctivitis include injuries, bacterial infections, viral infections, irritations, allergies, or foreign material (such as dirt, grass seeds, etc.) embedded in the eyelids. Sometimes the eye irritation is caused by defects in the anatomy of the eyelids, such as extra hair growth or inverting lids. These often require surgical correction of the defect to prevent future damage to the eye. Viral eye infections are particularly common in cats and kittens. Allergic reactions are a common problem in dogs. When inflammation occurs, excessive tear production makes excellent breeding ground for bacteria worsening the condition. Antibiotic ointments are used for bacterial infections. Other treatments depend on the cause of the disease.
Many cases of conjunctivitis are treated simply with eye ointments. If the problem is severe, chronic or not responding to medication, more extensive testing or treatment is necessary. If a foreign object such as a bit of grass is suspected, sedation is often needed to allow adequate visual inspection under all three of the eyelids to solve the problem. Other tests such as conjunctival scraping, bacterial culture or PCR testing for herpes virus may be needed. Special eye stains may be used on the eye itself to confirm the presence or absence of any injury to the outer layer of the eye, the cornea.
Conjunctivitis is rarely a life threatening problem but it is uncomfortable for a pet and can lead to further eye damage if left untreated. If you suspect conjunctivitis in your pet see your veterinarian promptly.
