Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is the most common reason for owners to see a veterinary ophthalmologist. They account for up to 70% of all visual diseases. Many owners do not pay much attention to a slight redness of the eyelids in a cat or dog. However, the inflammatory process, which is not bought in time, can lead to blindness of the beloved pet.

What is conjunctivitis, features and types

Conjunctiva - a thin film that covers the eyeball and the inner part of the eyelids. In the inner corner of the eye, the membrane forms the third eyelid. Its inflammation is called conjunctivitis.

The disease is classified according to several signs. The course of the disease is acute, subacute, chronic.

Depending on the occurrence of conjunctivitis is divided into:

primary - starting independently;

secondary - developing on the background of the main pathology.

In dogs, primary conjunctivitis is rare. Usually develop due to trauma, are symptoms of other diseases. Cats, on the contrary, more often suffer from primary infections affecting the eyes.

According to the type of development, the nature of discharge, conjunctivitis is divided into:

Allergic - occurs as a reaction of the body's immune system to external irritants;

catarrhal - occurs with inflammation of mucous membranes, epithelium, basal membrane;

purulent - provoked by pathogenic pathogens (e.g. streptococcus, staphylococcus);

purulent-catarrhal - develops against the background of primary infections of bacterial, fungal or viral etiology.

Separately from the others, doctors consider follicular conjunctivitis, in which the zone of concentration of lymphatic follicles on the inner side of the third eyelid becomes inflamed.

Causes of the disease in dogs, cats

Inflammation of the conjunctiva in dogs, cats arises due to external (exogenous) or internal (endogenous) causes.

The former include:

bacterial, viral, fungal lesions of the eyes;

effects of chemical substances, allergens (including some eye drops);

mechanical damage;

poor hygiene.

Among endogenous causes of inflammation are systemic and autoimmune diseases, congenital anomalies of the structure of the organs of vision. This group includes "dry" keratoconjunctivitis, in which there is a lack of tear fluid synthesis. Deviation leads to drying of the cornea of the eye.
In rare cases, conjunctivitis manifests itself against the background of oncological neoplasms, cysts of the organs of vision.

Symptoms and diagnostic methods

The main signs of the disease in animals are:

discharge of whitish, greenish, yellow or bloody colour;

lethargy;

partially covered eyes;

swelling, redness of the eyelids;

decreased appetite;

profuse lacrimation;

itching (the cat or dog often rubs its eyes with its paws);

photophobia;

increased localised temperature;

eyelid soreness;

blurred sclerae;

dark crusts on mucous membranes.


Attention: healthy conjunctiva looks shiny, smooth, has a pinkish colour.

Follicular conjunctivitis is characterised by an overgrowth of lymphoid follicles on the inner side of the third eyelid or the protective film. Externally, they become similar to cauliflower.

Independently determine the cause of the disease is impossible. At the first signs of a violation, it is necessary to free the pet's eyes from excretions with a cotton disc moistened in warm, boiled water. Protect the muzzle of the animal from rubbing, take it to the clinic. Do not use any solutions. This can make it difficult to establish the cause of the disease.

 
Diagnostic methods

At the appointment, the veterinary ophthalmologist examines the pet's visual organs, interviews the owner about diseases, allergies, and other provoking factors.

Then the furry patient undergoes an examination. It may include:

biomicroscopy;

PCR;

ophthalmoscopy;

ELISA;

Schirmer's test to determine the level of tear synthesis;

fluorescein staining;

eye pressure measurement (to rule out cataracts);

microbiological analysis;

biopsy (if oncology is suspected).

With secondary conjunctivitis, standard blood and urine tests are required to diagnose the underlying disease.

Treatment of the disease in pets

Based on the reasons for the development of pathology, in the complex therapy of conjunctivitis, drugs of the following pharmaceutical groups are used:

antihistamines;

immunostimulants;

hormonal;

corticosteroids;

anti-inflammatory;

antibacterial.

In inflammation provoked by eyelid drooping, surgical intervention is performed. Overgrown lymphatic follicles are more often removed by "scraping". The procedure is repeated several times with a week's interval between manipulations.

Attention: self-treatment of the eyes can lead to blindness of the pet.

In most cases, the animal requires local administration of drugs in the form of eye drops. The company Apicenna produces preparations that effectively treat and prevent inflammation of the eyes:
Ophthalmosan - quickly reduces itching and relieves swelling, destroys pathogenic bacteria that cause inflammation.

Dekta-2 - has pronounced antibacterial, anti-allergenic properties, stop the inflammatory process.