When your pet needs immediate medical attention, whether due to an illness or accident, Waldorf Emergency Care in Waldorf, is here any time, night or day, to take care of your pet. We also care about the general welfare of pets, and some general care issues may turn into urgent care issues if they are not addressed soon. Your pet cannot tell you what is wrong when they are in distress, so you have to know how to read the warning signs they display. With that in mind, we have put together a pet eye infection FAQ to help you read the signs.
What is an eye infection?
The most common eye infection is conjunctivitis, which is an irritation in the eye that can be caused by many things. It is not a serious problem, but it still needs veterinary attention to heal. There are more serious infections such as pink eye that need more immediate attention. Pink eye is more like a virus and can be spread to other pets.
What are some treatments for eye infections?
Your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics, creams or eye drops for conjunctivitis. Pink eye is a different kind of infection. Different antibiotics or eye drops may be prescribed, or topical steroids could be prescribed.
What are some symptoms to look for?
- pawing at the eyes
- squinting or blinking
- redness or swollen eyes
- watery or thick discharge
- keeping eyes closed and light sensitivity
Should you try to treat a dog’s eyes on your own?
If it is a minor irritation you can try washing it out and using an over the counter medication. If it gets worse or does not clear up quickly, you should get medical care at a veterinarian’s office. The vet can determine if it is an eye infection, what kind it is, and what kind of treatment is needed. Do not, however, use human eye drops or human medications on your pet. Human medications can often have hazardous side effects on animals.
Pet Eye Care in Waldorf, MD
Call Waldorf Emergency Care today at (301) 705-9700 if your pet is sick and needs urgent attention. If an eye irritation suddenly becomes much worse, there may be other health issues and you should seek urgent treatment.