If your pet hasn’t been acting normally lately, your pet might have an eye infection. This needs to be treated by your veterinarian right away, not only to preserve your pet’s sight but also to avoid pain and suffering. At Callahan Drive Animal Hospital in Knoxville, TN, we have been diagnosing and treating pet eye infections for many years.
Causes of Pet Eye Infections
There are many causes of eye infections in pets. Some common causes include injury, a small object like a grass seed getting into the eye, viruses, bacteria, parasites, and disease. Depending on the cause, treatment will differ. No matter the cause, your pet’s eye infection will not clear up on its own, so it is important to seek out veterinary care.
Physical Symptoms of Pet Eye Infections
Pets will squint their hurt eyes, or blink far more than usual. They will rub their hurt eyes with their paws or by rubbing their heads against the floor. There could be discharge and your pet’s third eyelid may be more visible than usual. The eye may bulge, the eyelids may swell, and the eye itself may be red.
Behavioral Symptoms of Eye Infections
Normal amounts of light will be painful for your pet, so he or she may turn away from light. Your pet will also not want to play and may lose appetite. Pets in pain often spend time hiding. Your pet may avidly not want his or her head to be touched. Your pet may bite or scratch when you try to examine his or her eyes. It’s best to leave the examination to our veterinarian.
Diagnosing Your Pet’s Eye Problem
Sometimes, the causes of your pet’s eye infection are not readily apparent. Our vet may need to take ultrasounds of your pet’s eye. Your pet may benefit from eye drops. Your pet’s symptoms may be due to other eye issues such as glaucoma, vitamin deficiency, eyelid deformity, or tear duct issues. These produce similar symptoms to eye infections. Our veterinarian will assess your pet’s condition to determine the root cause of its symptoms and recommend treatment accordingly.
Treating Eye Infections
Many times, eye infections are treated with drops. Your pet may also need antibiotics. If you are not sure how to give your pet eye drops or pills, ask our veterinarian to show you how to do it. Never use eye drops, over-the-counter painkillers, or any other kind of medication meant for people. These can wind up poisoning your pet.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Veterinarian for Pet Eye Infection Treatment in Knoxville, TN
Call Callahan Drive Animal Hospital today at (865) 938-0243 for more information on pet eye infections or to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian.