Whatever you choose to call it, conjunctivitis can be a very frustrating inflammation for both dogs and cats. By Katie Cincotta.
You might have heard it being called “pink eye” or “stink eye”, but the real name of the inflammation of the eyelids, which can make the eye red, swollen and mucky, is called conjunctivitis.
Dr Luke Evans, veterinary director at Greencross North Ringwood, says conjunctivitis is a very common reason for a pet to see the vet. He says there are many causes of pink eye, which affects both humans and animals, but the main culprits include seasonal allergies and foreign bodies, such as grass seeds or even bee stingers, getting stuck in the eye.
Dr Luke says blunt trauma to the eye, corneal ulcers (essentially a scratch on the surface of the eye), dry eye (where not enough tears are being made by the tear glands), and eyelid abnormalities (such as droopy or in-turned eyelids) can also cause the delicate pink tissue coating the eyelids to become inflamed. The eye will look red and swollen and often there will be a discharge, which can be clear and watery or green and stringy. Dr Luke says you’ll notice your dog or cat squinting or pawing at the face to indicate there’s a problem and that they’re in pain. “Sometimes their third eyelids, the membrane that is usually tucked away in the inner corner of the eye, will be more prominent. You may also notice sneezing, lethargy, poor appetite, snotty nose and increased drooling.”
With cats, it’s the flu that is mostly to blame. “Most of the time, conjunctivitis in cats is due to ‘cat fl u’, an umbrella term which encompasses the many infectious causes of conjunctivitis,” says Dr Luke. “They pick it up through contact with respiratory secretions, usually by being sneezed on or generally being in close contact with a cat with the disease.” Cat flu is highly contagious, even in cats that are up to date with their vaccinations.
The original article was published in PETS issue 63. Click here to subscribe to our magazine.
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