Conjunctivitis, the most common eye problem of dogs and cats can be prevented and treated. In a previous blog we looked through red, blinking, tear-filled eyes at what causes conjunctivitis. Now, let's look at holisitic and conventional methods to prevent and treat this common health problem.
Prevent conjunctivitis
To prevent conjunctivitis, don’t let your dog put its head out the car window unless wearing goggles. Put soothing, cool, moist tea bags on the eyes if your dog has been out in a dusty environment.
Treatments for conjunctivitis
Because there are so many different causes of conjunctivitis, there are many different treatments, and using the wrong treatment for the problem can make the eye worse. It’s always safe to put a cool, moistened cloth over the eye until your dog is seen by the veterinarian.
Among the holistic and conventional therapies used for conjunctivitis are:
· saline flushing solutions,
· herbal eye washes,
· anti-inflammatory herbs and Omega 3 fatty acids,
· immune-boosting herbs and mushrooms,
· antioxidants, especially from darkly pigmented fruits and vegetables,
· steroids,
· antibiotics.
Making it worse
Don’t be tempted to treat your dogs’ eyes without veterinary advice because your treatment could make your dog’s problem worse. For example, when dogs have scratches or ulcers on the cornea and we put medications with steroids in their eyes, healing is delayed and the problem becomes bigger than it was initially. To have the eye treated in the best way, get your veterinarian’s advice.
If conjunctivitis isn’t treated
Simple conjunctivitis is limited to the outside of the eye. It does not involve the pupil, retina, or deeper structures, but conjunctivitis left untreated can lead to inflammation of the entire eye (uveitis), glaucoma, or blindness.
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