conjunctivitis?

dane&cockermom · 03-19-2008, 09:36 PM

this think looks like conjunctivitis? to me it just looks like normal discharge that we've dealt with for as long as i can remember. the whites of his eyes are fine...nice and white. he's not itchy or anything. his eyes look nothing like the pictures i've found online.

what do you guys think? i'm going to be treating him with terramycine just in case, but wanted to know what you guys thought.

Durbkat · 03-19-2008, 09:41 PM

I'm not sure but I'd take them to the vet. I saw where you said you had an appointment for Buddy on the 3rd so I'd just wait and see what they say. If you want to get Gwen and Buddy back in day care sooner then I'd see if the vet can work you in earlier or go to another vet that can fit you in.

linxx36 · 03-19-2008, 10:03 PM

conjunctivitis is often referred to as 'dry eye'...basically the dogs tear ducts do not function at 100%. if there is no redness/irritation, no visible scarring on the eye, and the discharge is clear (not thick/green/yellow/etc.) then there is no reason to treat with terramycin. an over-the-counter saline solution (IE: artificial tears) applied to the eyes 2-3 times daily should clear things up. if you notice any of the things I mentioned above, then a trip to the vet is in order. also, conjunctivits is extremely common in cocker spaniels.

dane&cockermom · 03-19-2008, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linxx36

conjunctivitis is often referred to as 'dry eye'...basically the dogs tear ducts do not function at 100%. if there is no redness/irritation, no visible scarring on the eye, and the discharge is clear (not thick/green/yellow/etc.) then there is no reason to treat with terramycin. an over-the-counter saline solution (IE: artificial tears) applied to the eyes 2-3 times daily should clear things up. if you notice any of the things I mentioned above, then a trip to the vet is in order. also, conjunctivits is extremely common in cocker spaniels.

yeah, i knew cockers tend to have this going on with their eyes. but what i dont get, if it's so contagious, why doesn't gwen have it? why haven't i transmitted it to any of the dogs at the salon?

so you think he's fine?

linxx36 · 03-20-2008, 01:23 AM

as I said, conjunctivitus is just 'dry eye', it only becomes contagious when is turns into an infection. If you can control it, and not allow the infection to form, then you are okay. it is common in cockers, but not all of them have it.

poodleholic · 03-20-2008, 04:34 AM

There's allergic conjunctivitis, and then bacterial, the latter needing medication, the allergic type responds well to sterile saline solution (the allergies should be addressed).

If there's no redness, and the discharge isn't green or greenish yellow, the sterile saline solution should take care of it. When in doubt, check it out with the vet. I have a little Shih Tzu whose eyes get goopy, so use it twice a day to cleanse. Keeps it from staining the hair, too.