My puppy's eye infection keeps coming back. Can I treat it myself?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Oakley. No, it is not normal for an eye infection to continue for so long in a puppy. I would recommend he has eye tests done or repeated as his condition is not resolving. I typically stain both eyes to look for a scratch on the surface, take a swab to look at under the microscope, and then measure the pressure and tear production in each eye. Care should also be taken to see if there is an eyelash contacting the surface of his causing chronic irritation. His eyes can also be numbed and checked for a foreign body under the third eyelids. I hope this information helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If Jasmine continues to have problems despite medications, I recommend taking her to the vet for further testing. She may have an underlying condition like dry eye or allergies that is causing the chronic problems. If so, she may need additional medications to treat the primary problem. Your vet will likely test for tear function (which may be abnormal even though you are seeing tears), look for ulcers, or test the pressure of the eye itself. Good luck and kisses to Jasmine!

Considering the pictures you uploaded this seems a mild conjunctivitis that could potentially resolve spontaneously. I would recommend just wipe the discharge gently with a wet cotton swab and apply some simple sterile saline solution (you can buy ocular ones over the counter). If the signs do not resolve in 3 days a check up would be required though as antibiotic eye drops may be needed.

Poor Carly! Conjunctivitis can be uncomfortable, so I'm sorry to hear she is having issues with her eyes! Unfortunately there isn't much over the counter you can use. You can safely use eye saline (contact lens saline) to gently flush out her eye in case there is any microscopic debris causing the inflammation. It is possible that Carly has a scratch on her cornea as well, which can be mistaken for conjunctivitis. I would be concerned about a scratched cornea if her eye is quite red and if she is squinting. Most cases of conjunctivitis require a prescription antibiotic ointment or solution that is applied topically in the eye. I also like elizabethan collars on dogs with eye issues, as they often will paw at their eyes and make any eye issue worse. If it doesn't improve with a little saline flushing, I would recommend you take Carly in to see your vet to make sure it isn't a scratch and get some topical medication. Best of luck to you and Carly!

I am so sorry to hear that Kaimana is experiencing these problems with her eye. Start by placing an e-collar or cone on Kaimana to prevent scratching or rubbing. If the eye is injured, inflamed or infected it is likely painful, this will prompt Her to scratch or rub her eye. However, this could inflict further damage, infection or even an ulceration. An rlceration is a tear in the top layer of the eye and is a serious condition. Because eye concerns with dogs, such as infections, corneal ulcerations, cataracts and glaucoma, can progress rapidly I would have her examined by your veterinarian to diagnose the issue immediately. The precise medication can then be dispensed by your veterinarian. Your vet will use a special tear stain drop to visualise the eye and the top layer to make are there are no ulcerations, and check for other conditions before prescribing medications. Please do not attempt to treat an eye infection at home with any over the counter medications, drops or ointments. This can lead to permanent damage and unnecessary pain or discomfort. I hope this answer was helpful and that Kaimana feels better soon. Warmest regards to you both!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Without knowing what the medication that was used and not knowing what the diagnosis was from your previous vet, it is difficult to guide you in the right direction. However, if the eyes were treated with an antibiotic and cleared up but are still accumulating thick material, I would recheck with the veterinarian and have the eyes checked for dry eye to see if this is the primary problem. Life long medication is needed if the eyes are diagnosed with dry eye. I hope this helps! Optixcare is an eye ointment that is over the counter that can help with dry eye so if you are unable to get to your vet, you can start with this ointment to see if it makes a difference. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hi, eye conditions are impossible to give advice on over the forum. To start with they are extremely painful, just imagine how we feel when we get a tiny little thing into our eye, or even conjunctivitis. Second the price to pay if you get the wrong medication is not only prolonged suffering but also potential eye/sight loss. It could be that Potchi has a problem with her eye lids rubbing on the surface of the eye for example.. I would recommend to bring her in to see a vet for a consultation so that she is prescribed the best treatment for it. Hope this makes sense !