I Think My Pup’s Got Pink Eye! A Guide to Conjunctivitis in Dogs

If you’ve ever been greeted by a furry friend with red, watery eyes, your pup might have pink eye. Conjunctivitis in dogs is a pretty common ailment that can affect your pup’s eyes. In fact, it was the 10th most common dog insurance claim for PD in 2023.

In this guide, we sniff out all the ins and outs of conjunctivitis in dogs, from what causes it to how to treat it, so you can get your canine companion back to their playful, peppy self in no time.

Conjunctivitis in dogs: What is it?

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the transparent membrane that lines the eyelid and is your eyeball’s protector, covering the white part of your eyeball.

Humans can also get pink eye, and if you’ve had it you know it can be super painful. At its most basic, it’s usually characterised by a sore, red-raw looking eye that has pus appearing around the lid.

Although conjunctivitis is very common in both dogs and cats, there are slight differences in the causes, symptoms and, in some cases, treatment:

The different types of pink eye in dogs

There are three different types of this goopy, pink-eyed health condition. Briefly, this is what defines them:

Allergic conjunctivitis in dogs

This can be caused by sensitivity to dust, pollen, insect stings, certain perfumes, and shampoos, among other things. It’s sometimes seasonal and shouldn’t be contagious, but can be quite frustrating to get rid of if the allergen is something pup is easily exposed to.

Just like a human allergy, in the initial stages of diagnosis it can be a bit of a guessing game as to what’s causing it.

Bacterial conjunctivitis in dogs

Caused by bacteria like staphylococcus or streptococcus rather than a virus or allergen, bacterial conjunctivitis in dogs is relatively simple to treat. Dogs with medical conditions such as chronic dry eye, abnormalities in the eyelid and ulcers in the cornea are more prone to a secondary bacterial infection like conjunctivitis.

Like its viral conjunctivitis cousin, bacterial pink eye can spread to other dogs fairly easily.

Viral conjunctivitis in dogs

As its name implies, this type of conjunctivitis in dogs is caused by a virus. It can be spread quickly and easily from dog to dog and is amplified by infections such as canine distemper virus and canine herpesvirus.

Read our article on pet vaccinations to help combat some of these viruses that can cause other complications like pink eye in dogs.

Symptoms of pink eye in dogs

Some of the red flags to keep an eye out for include:

• Swelling of the eye.
• Excessive rubbing of their face on objects or their paws, which indicates itching, burning or pain.
• Squinting or excessive blinking – a sign of irritation in the eye.
• The eye becoming filled with a mucus-like discharge.
• Redness in the eye.

If your dog has had conjunctivitis for a few days it’s worth consulting your vet for an official diagnosis and treatment plan. Most pups recovery fairly easily from pink eye in dogs but some may experience secondary symptoms for a lifetime. So, get it checked!

What your vet may do to diagnose it

Your vet will usually start with going over your dog’s medical history before undertaking a thorough physical examination. Then, they’ll focus on a thorough eye examination, using magnification to check for any physical changes.

Requesting an ultrasound to check for physical injuries to the eye can also help with the diagnosis.

How to treat conjunctivitis in dogs

There are several different treatments for conjunctivitis in dogs and some of the common conditions that can cause it. The most suitable ones depend on the type and cause of the infection.

Treatments for this scratchy, sticky condition include:

• Eye drops or ointments with steroids treats cases of allergic conjunctivitis in dogs.
• Topical or oral antibiotics usually tackles bacterial conjunctivitis.
• Treating viral conjunctivitis requires time and an immune system boost.
• Chronic dry eye results in a dog needing lifelong medication to help produce tears.
• Eyelid or eyelash abnormalities are corrected with surgery to avoid chronic issues.

Conjunctivitis in dogs FAQ

And now to answer Kiwi pet parent’s most asked questions about pink eye in dogs.

Can dogs get pink eye from humans?

Yes, dogs can potentially get it from humans, but it’s relatively rare. The types of bacteria or viruses that typically cause conjunctivitis in humans are different from those that commonly affect dogs.

Should you try home remedies for conjunctivitis in dogs?

While these home remedies might offer a bit of relief for mild cases, they’re not always the most effective or quickest way of treating pink eye in dogs.

Plus, there’s always the risk of making things worse if you’re not careful. Cleaning your dog’s eye with saline solution and a damp, warm cloth might work for a mild case of pink eye or until you’re able to get them proper treatment. However, if their pink eye persists or gets worse, you should get them treatment immediately.

Can you use pink eye drops on dogs?

While some human eye drops might seem like a quick fix for your dog’s pink eye, it’s generally not a good idea to use them without your vet’s say-so.

Dogs have different eye structures and sensitivities compared to humans, so what works for us might not be suitable for them. Using human eye drops could potentially irritate your dog’s eyes further or even cause harm.

Now that you’re up to speed on conjunctivitis in dogs, you may find our articles on cat and dog eye infections, dry eye in dogs and cherry eye in dogs interesting.

Ensuring your fur baby returns to good health

If you suspect your pet may have contracted conjunctivitis or is not feeling themselves for some other reason, you want to be able to get them the best medical care. Securing award-winning pet insurance from PD Insurance will help you to focus on your pet’s recovery without the additional stress of exorbitant unplanned pet bills.

One tip – be sure to get pet health cover before conditions like pink eye come into the picture. Insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. So, why not take two minutes to get a quick quote now?