Eye infections are common in dogs, and they typically are not something to worry about. However, it's important to treat them quickly or your dog could lose his sight. Dog eye infection home remedies can be effective, but you should have your pooch evaluated by a vet before trying any DIY options.
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Due to a variety of diseases and eye infections in dogs that share similar symptoms, it's difficult to assess the seriousness of the problem before establishing which type of infection it is. Until you know what you are actually dealing with, you won’t know how to treat the problem, never mind how serious it could be.
If you notice something is wrong with your dog’s eyes, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. The one thing that all dog eye problems have in common is that no matter how bad they might ultimately be, early treatment is almost guaranteed to relieve suffering quickly and may even save your dog's sight.
Some eye problems in dogs may require treatment with prescription medications or even surgery. Consulting a veterinarian is the only way to know exactly what the issue is and whether or not dog eye infection home remedies will be able to cure it.
My 3 Favorite Dog Eye Infection Home Remedies
1. Saline Solution
If your dog is having any issues with his eyes, you'll need to keep the area as clean as possible. Trim long hair around the eyes. You'll also need to wash the area multiple times per day.
Make a saline solution using 1/4 cup warm water and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Dip a gauze pad or clean cloth in the solution, and wipe the eye area starting from the snout (corner of eye) outward, toward the ear.
If your dog's eye infection is causing discharge, you'll need to clean the area every 30-60 minutes or as needed to prevent the discharge from hardening.
Never reuse the same wipe twice. You can also use saline solution as a flush, dripping a small amount into your dog’s eye using a sterile eye dropper or new cotton ball.
2. Chamomile Tea
One of the easiest home remedies for eye infections is chamomile tea. It's affordable on any budget and can be found in any grocery store.
Steep a chamomile teabag in hot water. Once cooled, hold the bag on your dog's infected eye for at least 5 minutes. You can also use the tea to flush the eye. Repeat this 3-5 times per day until the infection clears up.
3. Cod Liver Oil
Applying 1 drop of cod liver oil to the eye each day can help to relieve the pain associated with an eye infection in your pet. The oil has been shown to help reduce inflammation and lubricate the eye.
Cod Liver Oil is also high in Vitamin A, which has been shown to promote corneal healing. Vitamin A has also been shown to help the surface of the eye be an effective barrier to bacteria. You can find over-the-counter eye drops that contain Vitamin A, but you'll need to check with your veterinarian to make sure they are safe for your pet.
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