Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that lines the eyelids, covers the front of the sclera and wraps the third eyelid. In dogs it is usually a sign rather than a diagnosis: most red, discharging eyes are reacting to something else, such as dry eye, an eyelid or eyelash problem, allergy, or disease deeper in the eye or elsewhere in the body. Treating the redness with an antibiotic without finding that cause is the classic mistake.
Key facts
Conjunctivitis at a glance- Species and system: dogs; eye and adnexa (conjunctiva).
- Cause: mostly secondary: keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), eyelid and eyelash disorders, foreign bodies, ulcerative keratitis, uveitis, glaucoma or systemic disease. Primary causes include allergy (atopy), drug reactions, immune-mediated disease and viruses such as canine herpesvirus-1.
- Bacteria: not a known primary cause in dogs; secondary bacterial infection is common.
- Classic presentation: conjunctival hyperemia, chemosis (conjunctival swelling) and ocular discharge, with mild discomfort.
- Key first tests: Schirmer tear test, fluorescein stain and tonometry in every case.
- Zoonotic potential: the eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda, an occasional cause, is zoonotic; routine canine conjunctivitis is not reportable.
What's inside
13 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Anatomy
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 10 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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