Ophthalmitis/Conjunctivitis

If an animal squints its eyes, has reddened or watery eyes and rubs its eyes with its paw, these are the first signs of an eye or conjunctivitis. The eye secretion visibly changes colour from transparent to white, yellow to greenish, depending on the cause and duration of the inflammation triggers.

In dogs, these can be dry eyes due to underproduction of tears, irritation by smoke, wind and dust, allergies, eyelid defects or anatomical peculiarities. Viruses and bacteria are the most common causes of eye and conjunctivitis in cats.

As it is often difficult for the pet owner to distinguish between a mild and a more severe eye inflammation, a visit to the vet is always advisable.