Dog Pink Eye

Symptoms of Dog Pink Eye

• Abnormal amount of discharge coming from the dog’s eye, often collecting around the eye area and limiting the dog’s ability to blink or open the eye fully
• Pronounced pink color of the dog’s eye area
• Severe bloodshot appearance may also be observed
• Surrounding eye tissue, including the eyelid, will be inflamed

Difference Between Dog Pink Eye and Other Dog Eye Problems

1. Dog pink eye often causes severe itching of the entire eye area.  You may notice your dog attempting to find relief by rubbing its eye on the corner of the couch or carpet.  They also tend to use their paws to scratch the eye as well as try to remove excess discharge, which can be very irritating for the dog.  This violent rubbing could cause serious damage to the dog’s eye and should be prevented.

2. Dog pink eye can have an affect on your dog’s spirit and daily routine.  You may notice that your dog’s new favorite spot is a dark corner of your kitchen or living room and that less time is being spent playing in the sun.  This happens because the infected eye becomes very sensitive to light.

3. Lastly, pay close attention to the amount of tears your dog’s eye is producing.  While normal tear production can vary from one animal to another, you should be able to tell if your dog is producing more tears than usual.  Again, make sure a foreign object is not the cause before jumping to conclusions.

What Causes Dog Pink Eye?

• It can begin by a small, foreign body entering the eye area of the dog.  This can be anything from a piece of bark to a small insect and if it remains in the eye area for too long, it can cause an irritation which can lead to pink eye.  If you notice that your dog’s eye is looking irritated, you might want to try rising out the eye with water or an eye wash.

• When dogs roll around and play together, it is not uncommon for small injuries to occur.  The eye of a dog is very sensitive and can be easily scratched with the paw of another dog.  This injury can commonly lead to pink eye.

• The bacterial form of Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is the most common form.  This form is spread by contact and that means human to dog, dog to dog or even insect to dog.

• The viral form of Conjunctivitis is air borne and is more commonly transferred in the winter months when the air is damp and humid.  You’re best bet is to keep your fingers crossed, knock on wood, find a four-leafed clover…well, you get the idea.  Not much you can do to fight against the viral form.

• Another very common cause of dog pink eye is an allergic reaction.  Your dog may be suffering from an allergy to something in the environment, and that allergy can cause sinus irritation along with inflammation of the mucus membranes of the eye.  If this occurs in your dog, attempt to treat or eliminate the allergen along with the pink eye.

Treating Dog Pink Eye

• Quercetin
• Vitamin B complex
• Vitamin C
• Zinc

• Aloe vera (clear gel)
• Chamomile tea wash
• Eyebright tea wash
• Green tea wash
• Herbal eye tonic (given orally)

• Apis mel for mild conjunctivitis
• Pulsatilla for green-yellow discharge
• Silicea for swelling

Holistic Routines to Maintain Good Eye Health

1. Keep the eyes very clean, trimming the hair around the eyes often and wiping away excess discharge and dirt.

2. Supplement your dog’s diet with:

• Bioflavonoids
• Pycnogenois
• Vitamins A, C and D
• Zinc

3. As soon as you recognize redness or discomfort in the eye of your dog, try bathing the eyes with one of the following:

• Calendula tea
• Chamomile tea
• Eyebright tea
• Rosemary tea
• A product called Eye-Heal contains several natural ingredients known to contribute to eye health, including rosemary, burdock and meadowsweet.  If you can plan ahead and have this blend on hand, it is better than using one of the teas above by themselves.
• If you're in a bind and have none of the above available, you can get by with...
• Artificial tears (regular saline solution eye drops can be purchased at the drug store).  Do NOT use eye drops such as Visine or Clear Eyes as they could be harmful to your dog's eyes.  They may "get the red out" temporarily, but could have negative long-term effects.
• Salt water: 1 tsp in 1 cup of water

4. Acupuncture can also be used to help treat and prevent eye problems in dogs.  It can help to relieve discomfort and can also correct imbalances in the body that could be the root of the eye issues.

5. A good diet is always helpful in maintaining overall health.  Foods such as green vegetables, parsley, purple or blue berries, carrots, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds are all known to be good for the eyes.

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