Just like humans, pets are susceptible to eye infections, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and conjunctivitis. Some conditions are more severe than others and require immediate vet care to relieve the animal's pain and preserve its vision.
At Niwot Animal Hospital in in Niwot, CO, we offer quality veterinary services to help your pet find relief from eye infections and stay healthy. You can learn more about eye infections in pets and how they are treated below:
What Are Pet Eye Infections?
Pet eye infections affect how your cat or dog’s eyes function and lead to distorted vision. The symptoms that your pet may exhibit depend on the underlying causes. Some common symptoms of eye infections in pets include:
- Excessive tearing
- Eye redness
- Thick or smelly discharge
- Constant blinking and squinting
- Constant face rubbing
- Sensitivity to light
These symptoms indicate an underlying eye problem that need to be diagnosed and treated by our veterinarians.
What Are the Most Common Eye Infections?
The most common pet eye infections include conjunctivitis, glaucoma, corneal ulcers, and uveitis. You can learn more about these below:
- Conjunctivitis: This infection occurs when mucous membrane, which cover the inside of the eyelids and the outer section of the eyeball, becomes inflamed
- Glaucoma: This disease causes pressure buildup in the inner eye, which damages the optic nerve and leads to vision loss
- Corneal ulcers: These infections cause deeper erosion in the pet’s epithelium, which results in fluid accumulation in the stroma and leads to cloudy vision
- Uveitis: This infection causes the choroid, iris, and ciliary body to become inflamed
These infections can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated. We recommend taking your pet to a veterinarian when they start displaying symtoms.
How Do Veterinarians Treat Pet Eye Infections?
While some pet eye infections can resolve on their own, others need a diagnosis and treatment from our veterinarians. We will begin with a comprehensive eye exam to identify the underlying problem and then develop a custom treatment for your pet's condition. Depending on the cause, our vets may recommend artificial tears for eye pain and inflammation or surgery to help preserve your pet’s vision. In addition, our veterinary professionals will offer advice on preventing pet eye infections in the future.
Contact us for Treatment Today!
Niwot Animal Hospital in Niwot, CO, provides a variety of veterinary services, including preventive and medical eye care for pets. We offer personalized treatment plans designed specifically for each patient’s unique health needs and concerns. Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians or to learn more about our services.