Eye Infections in Dogs and Cats
Your pet’s eyes are one of the more critical and sensitive parts of their anatomy. There are a number of different eye disorders, and many of those are amenable to at-home remedies.
Common eye disorders include conjunctivitis(red eye or pinkeye), epiphora (excessive tearing), uveitis, KCS (dry eye), glaucoma, cataracts, corneal ulceration, and PRA (progressive retinal atrophy).
Conjunctivitis is defined as inflammation of the red, conjunctival tissue around your pet’s eye. It is the most common cause of red eye in dogs and cats.
There are many at-home remedies that can be used for conjunctivitis.
Epiphora, or excessive tearing, is usually a result of the tear ducts being obstructed, and the tears cannot be drained normally. They are then visible streaming down the corner of your pet’s eyes.
Cats commonly have upper respiratory viral infections that can predispose them to recurring eye tearing.
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), or dry eye, is caused by a lack of tear production. The signs are a dry-looking, mucoid eye, with accompanied inflammation.
SIGNS
Your pet’s eyes are red with a yellow or green discharge. The eyes continue to water. Your pets quints or rubs his or her eyes. The tissue around the eye appears swollen. With cataracts, the middle of the eye (the lens) appears cloudy (see Cataracts).
CAUSES
The causes of red eye are numerous. The most common are bacterial conjunctivitis, bacterial infection of the tissue around the eye, and allergic conjunctivitis. Other more serious causes include glaucoma (swelling in the eye) or an ulcer on the cornea (erosion on the surface of the eye).
SOLUTIONS
TO THE VETERINARIAN. Here are three signs to trigger an immediate call to your veterinarian: if your pet’s eye infection is painful, with your pet rubbing an eye; if the main part of the eye, the cornea, appears to be indented or layered; and if the entire eye suddenly becomes cloudy.
EYE TEARS. The lubricated eye tears used for people with minor eye infections can be very soothing for your pet. First wipe any discharge away from the eyes using a damp cloth and then apply two to three drops in the affected eye three times daily.
TO THE KITCHEN. Tea is more than just a drink. It has tannins in it that are anti-inflammatory and have antimicrobial properties. Brew up a strong cup of black tea and place three to four drops in the affected eye three times daily. It should be made daily to prevent contamination.
HERBAL:
EYEBRIGHT (EUPHRASIA). This herb has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. To make a solution, mix five drops of eyebright in 125 ml (one-half cup) of saline solution. Using an eyedropper, place two drops in the affected eye twice daily for five to seven days.
MORE HEALING EYE DROPS. Instead of using Euphrasia, you can substitute one of these herbs: RASPBERRY, NETTLE OR
OREGON GRAPE. Mix five drops of one of these herbs in 125 ml (one-half cup) of saline solution. Using an eyedropper, place two drops in the affected eye twice daily for five to seven days.
EXCESSIVE TEARING
WIPE AWAY. Use a damp cloth to wipe off crusted discharge around the nose and eyes. If the corner of the eye is red and inflamed, also use a topical anti-inflammatory, such as aloe or aloe/calendula cream; a cloth soaked in black tea is another option.
AMINO ACID LYSINE. L-lysine has proven antiviral activity and is a mainstay in treating and curing cats with recurrent herpesvirus respiratory infections. It comes as a veterinary paste (Enisyl). The dose is 100mg per ten pounds twice daily for at least twelve weeks. (This is also found in
Ultimate Canine and
Ultimate Feline Health Formula.)
PROBIOTICS. Probiotics (the healthy natural bacteria) seem to modify the bacteria in the gut, but also the skin. In the cases of tear staining, they appear to decrease the bacteria that produce the pigment that shows up as a stain (i.e., less melanin). The most effective supplement is lactobacillus acidophilus; give one-fourth capsule per ten pounds of body weight twice daily. (This is also found in
Ultimate Canine and
Ultimate Feline Health Formula.)
