Heard of Conjunctivitis? What is it?

The term Conjunctivitis refers to the inflammation of the conjunctiva in the eyes. Bacterial infections are the most common reason for the condition in dogs, where viral or bacterial infection can be the cause for cats. Other causing factors could include injury, dry eyes, foreign bodies or allergies.

Typically when the conjunctiva is inflamed, it causes redness of the tissue around the eye. The whites of the eye may also look pink and eyelids could be reddened. The eye may appear to weep or there may be a more obvious discharge, or even a build up of mucus in the corner of the eye. It is likely your pet will blink more or squint, and, if they are particularly uncomfortable, they may rub their eyes or face on the floor or furniture.

If you suspect your pet has conjunctivitis, please contact our client care team to book an appointment for a veterinary surgeon to assess their eyes. Treatment for conjunctivitis is typically straight forward to manage when detected early.