Comprehensive Eye Care and Infection Prevention in Pets

As in men, eyes are equally important for animal. Hence, special care should be taken for the proper upkeep of the eyes throughout the life span of the animal. Eye sore, blepharitis (swelling and sticking of the eyelids), corneal ulcers and opacity, injuries, conjunctivitis, eczematous dermatitis of the eyebrows and eyelids and developing cataract in old age are common eye troubles seen in dogs and cats.

General Eye Care of Pets

• Have a look on the eyes of your pet each day for any abnormality and if you find anything otherwise, immediately approach a veterinary doctor for proper medical aid. Eyes are very delicate hence no chance should be taken for self-medication.
• Dirt and dust if present may be removed by flushing the eyes with clean water or with the help of cotton swab soaked in water.
• To avoid soap burns during bathing of the pet, put 1 or 2 drops of sealed castor oil in each eye before giving bath with soap.
• For day-to-day eye troubles like sticking and swelling of the eyelids, mild eye burns and sores, wash the eyes with lukewarm normal saline solution or 1-2% boric acid lotion twice or thrice a day for 2-3 days. In case of injury to eye ball, put 2-3 drops of castor oil and bandage as first aid and approach the veterinarian for proper medical aid to the pets.
• Conjunctivitis can be cured by the use of Subamycin or any other such eye ointment and feeding of Vitamin C (100 mg, Celin Tablets) twice a day for few days.
• For dermatitis, corneal ulcer, developing blindness, itching and tearing troubles, Vitamin A (Arovit tablets by mouth or Prepalin Forte, Vitacept injection intramuscularly) therapy is very useful.
• For corneal opacity, insufflation of Boro-calomel in the affected eye is very useful but the drugging should be done in early stages of the trouble.
• Cataract, hereditary or non-hereditary is quite common in dogs. Hereditary cataract has been reported in about 15 breeds of dogs during early life but the condition is seldom congenital. The condition is more seen in inbred pups can be diagnosed ophthalmoscopically as early as 8 weeks of age. Non-hereditary cataracts cause no observable visual deficit and therefore may pass unnoticed for a considerable period by the pet owner. Operation is the only resort for mature cataract of the eyes but post-operative care is very difficult in dogs. Developing cataract can be checked for sometime by the use of C.M.S eye drops (a homeopathic medicine) in affected eyes.

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Ocular allergy is a common problem in pets. It may affect conjunctiva, eyelids and cornea. There is a wide spectrum of severity ranging from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, perennial allergic conjunctivitis and giant papillary keratoconjunctivitis and atopic kerato-conjunctivitis (AKC) which may affect the cornea and are, therefore, potentially blinding.

Constant itching, inflammation, redness, mucoid or watery discharge from the eyes and eyelid eczema are common symptoms seen in allergic conjunctivitis and may lead to severe infection of the eyes if not treated in time.

Treatment of this syndrome involves reduction of exposure to the precipitating factor, use of conjunctival irrigation (washing) by normal saline or lubricant drops. Heavy mucoid discharge can be treated with topical mucolytics such as acetylcysteine.

Lid eczema can be cured by use of emollients, topical steroid and systemic therapy. Drug therapy of ocular allergy includes use of vasoconstrictors like naphazoline, tetrahydrozoline, topical antihistaminic like chlorpheniramine maleate, steroids like dexamethasone, prednisolone acetate and mast cell stabilizers such as sodium cromoglycate. Steroids should be used with caution since they may produce corneal ulcers, glaucoma or even cataract.