Conjunctivitis, the Most Common Eye Problem in Cats & Dogs

The most common eye problem in dogs and cats is conjunctivitis, which is inflammation of the membrane that lines the eye.

Conjunctivitis can be serious
We can safely ignore lots of health problems in dogs because their immune system will take care of them, but we should not ignore red, irritated eyes (conjunctivitis).

Why the eye gets red
The eye is covered with a thin, clear mucous membrane called the conjunctiva that covers the front of the eyeball and the inside of the eyelids. Irritated eyes become red because the conjunctiva has tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that become inflamed when the eye is irritated or infected. The capillaries dilate, causing the hot, red, and slightly swollen eye.

What causes conjunctivitis?
Among the causes of conjunctivitis are:
· pollen and air-borne allergens, especially in the spring and fall,
· riding with the head out the car window,
· being kept outside without a shelter in windy weather,
· being infected with bacteria or viruses, such as the distemper virus, and
· reacting to a problem from deep in the eye, such as glaucoma.

In a coming blog, we'll look at how to treat and prevent conjunctivitis.