Dog eye infection: Can 2-day vet delay cause damage? What can I do?

Hi there! I am assuming you are using Optimmune for dry eye? If so, there is often an eye infection as well that is brewing, due to having low tears. Because of this, I strongly recommend that you see a vet sooner, rather than later, as there are likely to be additional medications that can help your dog's eyes.

Hello. It is always best to have your veterinarian examine any eye problem as soon as it is noticed. This can be an infection, irritation, or even the start of an autoimmune condition called Keratoconjunctivitis sicca. It may even be allergy driven. With the right treatment, the eyes can heal very quickly. The wrong or no treatment can let a simple problem blow up into a big one. So while I do use the Vetericyn ophthalmic products in certain conditions, if you have the means to have Sipsey actually examined, this would be the very best course of action. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Nico! You can warm compress the eye 2-3 times per day. I recommend you use an E-collar so he doesn't rub the eye and cause a scratch on the surface of the eye. Do not put anything in the eye until you see your Vet. Ointments or drops for the eye are made specifically to be safe for use in the eye. Ointments for the skin are not safe to be put in the eye. I wish you the best and Nico a speedy recovery!

Poor Pip! Looks like he has a little abrasion there. It’s reasonable to put an e-collar on him and wait a few days to see if it starts looking better on its own. Since it is so close to the eye, there’s nothing over the counter that you can safely put on it at home, just keep it clean (water only) and dry and use a cone (ecollar) to keep him from rubbing at it. If it’s not looking better in 3-4 days, take him to the vet. If it starts looking worse, if he starts developing additional clinical signs, or if he starts having additional sores show up elsewhere, don’t wait, take him in. Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hi and thanks for your question this evening on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There is not a lot you can do at home for an eye issue such as this, unfortunately. The concern is if has an eye infection, corneal ulcer, or foreign body in the eye which can be very painful and irritating. It is best if Poppy gets seen and treated at his veterinarian soon for this. If not, the issue could get worse and progressively more irritating and potentially damaging to the eye. I hope you are able to take him in soon!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Piper. Poor girl. You can get some sterile saline and use that to flush her eyes twice daily until you are able to get her into the vet. You should be able to find some sterile saline at a pharmacy. I hope this helps!

Please do not use this or any other antibiotic that is not specifically meant for the treatment of eye infections. There may be chemicals in this that will damage the eye. Eye infections are always emergencies and need to be seen by a veterinarian right away as there is always the danger of loss of eye sight. Your veterinarian will thoroughly examine the eye with an ophthalmoscope, check for injuries to the cornea and corneal ulcers, signs of glaucoma (may measure intra-ocular pressure) and check for swelling and infection. Depending on the type of infection or condition he will determine the type of treatment. Please take Melodie to a veterinarian or Pet ER today.