Eye infections are a fairly common problem for dogs. Canine eye infections may be a result of bacterial or viral infections. They also may be a symptom of allergies or result from trauma, foreign bodies lodged in the eye or a result of inadequate tear production. There are many traditional antibiotic medications available to treat these infections. Natural treatments are also available.
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Treatments
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There are many natural herbs, and remedies, which have antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory, properties.
Herbal eye washes may be a good treatment for your dog's eye infection. Add a quarter teaspoon of salt into one cup of distilled or filtered water. Mix in 10 herbal tincture drops containing any of the following herbs: eyebright, calendula, chamomile, red clover or St. John's Wort. Apply a few drops to your dog's infected eye using a dropper two to three times a day.
Another option is to apply a drop of cod liver oil directly into your dog's infected eye. The vitamin A in the oil will help heal the eye.
If you find it too difficult to add the mixture to your dog's eye with a dropper, apply an herbal compress. You can easily make a compress by soaking a piece of cotton in hot herbal tea. Let the mixture cool on the cotton and then apply to the infected eye. Chamomile tea is easily accessible and easy to use as a compress.
Do not apply the same compress to more than one eye. This can cause the spread of infection. Clean one eye, throw away the compress, and prepare a fresh compress for the other eye if necessary.
Add apple cider vinegar to your dog's drinking water to help fight eye infection.
Colloidal silver is used as an antibiotic. Add a drop directly to the infected eye. Repeat every few hours.
Warnings
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Consult your veterinarian before using any treatment, especially if your dog is on any other medication.
If you dog is in pain, or if his eye discharge is bloody or infected, consult a veterinarian immediately. Other symptoms warranting a veterinarian call are listlessness, loss of appetite or trauma.
Natural treatments are not subject to the same restrictions or monitoring as conventional medicine. Read packaging carefully, purchase from a reputable source, and consult your veterinarian.
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