Conjunctivitis

Please firstly note that the notes below are not written by me, they are written by my boss´ partner, Jo who is undertaking an animal health course and i have simply been typing up her notes. i thought they may be of interest to Petstreet members.

Conjunctivitis

The conjunctivita is the membrane which covers the front of the eye. It lines the insides of the eyelids of all animals, both upper and lower, and from each of these places it is reflected on to the front of the eyeballs. The membrane is transparent in its central portion where it is specialised to form the covering of the cornea, which admits light into the cavity of the eye.

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctival membranes. It is an extremely common condition among animals and is probably the most common ailment of the eyes in animals. In cattle it is often the first seen symptom of ephemeral fever and bovine infections petechial fever.

Conjunctivitis is also a symptom associated with many specific infections such as distemper in dogs.


Some Causes

Sand, pollen, seeds and lime in the eyes of animals and, in larger farm animals, pieces of chaff in fields or stables. Injuries to the eye by cat scratches, pricked by a bush, or a car accident. Creatures such as flies, worms and ticks should also be taken into consideration. In cats, two infections cause conjunctivitis and can be transmissible to humans. These are Haemophilus Parainfluenzae and Moraxella Lacunata. Sun irritation can cause conjunctivitis in white cats which lack protective pigment around the eyes and in any cat with pink or pale eyelids.

Chemical irritation due to soap or shampoo or insecticide getting into the eye.

Bacterial infection such as cat flu.

Injured eyelids or inflammation of the skin around the eye leading to the animal rubbing the eye can also result in conjunctivitis.

As a rule one watery eye suggests an injury or foreign body whereas two watery eyes suggests an allergy or infection.

NB – cat flu can start with one watery eye.

Rarer causes of conjunctivitis are:-

Cancer
Parasite in the eye
Fungal infection
TB.


Signs

The first signs of conjunctivitis are redness and swelling of the lining membrane of the eyelids, excessive discharge of tears and a tendency for the animal to keeps its eyelids shut.


First Aid

Keep the animal, if possible, out of the sun. If only one eye is affected it may be caused by a foreign body that has lodged in the eye. Clean away the discharges by bathing with a warmed eye lotion.

The best way to apply lotions, whether to horse, dog or other animal is to use a perfectly clean piece of cotton wool soaked in the solution and squeezed ABOVE the eye so that the drops trickle into it.

Conjunctivitis should never be neglected as the inflammation may spread to the cornea, resulting in keratisis.

Treatment

In animals with an obvious foreign body in the eye, a drop of olive oil into the eye will help reduce any harmful friction until the animal can be anaethetised and the object removed.

Obviously any underlying condition which is causing the conjunctivitis has to be found and treated.

Mild conjunctivitis responds to decongestant drops such as Brolene or Otrivin. In applying drops it is always very important not to let the tip of the ointment tube to touch the eye. Hold the nozzle well away from the eye so that the eye is not touched even if the animal moves it’s head. Place the prescribed number of drops onto the eyeball whilst holding the top and bottom lids apart and, if possible, the nose up for a minute.

To warm ointment, place the topless end of the nozzle in cooled, but still warm, boiled water in an eggcup. This technique is especially useful for stiff ointments in cold weather.

Diet

The aim of a good diet is to provide all of the animal’s nutritional requirements, avoiding the deficiencies or gross excesses.

A diet which improves the immune system will benefit any animal with any illness.

As I have not specified an animal in this assignment I cannot propose a diet for every, or any, animal with conjunctivitis.

Some animals do acquire Allergic Conjunctivitis and allergen testing may be needed to find the cause of the allergy.

Complementary Treatments

Cornflower Water. Although useful as a diuretic has been shown to soothe the eyes.

Utilisation of sapphire and fire-agate (place in clean water overnight and then, after warming, bathe the eyes).

Goldenseal eye ointment.

Strained tea-bag liquid.

Neem capsules in food.

Goldenseal liquid.

Strained chamomile tea-bag with two added drops of lavender essential oil.

Apple cider vinegar on the scruff of the neck.

Colloidal silver as a spray; anti-bacterial and anti-viral.


Homeopathy

Composition:
Euphrasia – Belladonna – Aconitum – Dulcamara – Apis – Capsicum – Rubia Arsenicum alb.
15 drops in plain water twice a day before meals.
No contra-indications

As in all my assignments I cannot stress highly enough the importance of consulting a veterinarian for a medical diagnosis of any condition. This is particularly important if at a later stage the condition is going to be treated complimentarily. Also professionals in whatever field of complementary medicine that is going to used need to be consulted before administering or applying any treatments.


Healing

Healing twice in one week at the outset of the conjunctivitis will help the animal cope with the disorder and it will also be spiritually directed to where it is needed most.

Please note that I have written about healing in the assignment on the liver and that I believe it to be most efficacious in every situation.


Bibliography

The Occult and Curative Powers of Precious Stones – W. T. Fernie

Everycat – Allan – Bonning and Blogg.

Veterinary Nursing – Jone’s Books 1 & 2.


Internet

Dr. Sherwood Animal Clinic

www.altvetmed.org