Caring For A Stye In Your Pet
The eyes of pets are exposed to various environmental contaminations. It is very common to diagnose swelling. Therefore, it is important to know how to care for a stye in animals.
Some eye irritations do not cause health complications. But they cause a lot of pain and itching. In addition to a not very nice appearance.
This is the case of the stye. Annoying for humans, and even worse for dogs. Knowing the simple care of a stye can greatly alleviate the discomfort of your pet.
What is and what can cause a stye in dogs?
It is characterized by irritation and redness of the eye, accompanied by swelling of the eyelids. The lump usually formed near the eyelashes is known as a stye.
The stye is the result of an infection caused mainly by bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus . They are usually mild and do not cause health complications.
The eyes are constantly exposed to the external environment, being very easy to come into contact with different microorganisms. Dirty environments and polluted cities favor the proliferation of bacteria.
What are the symptoms of a stye in dogs?
The most obvious symptom is the pink lump that forms near the eyelashes. The swelling of the eye area and the redness of the white area of the eye are also very visible.
The stye is often accompanied by pain and discomfort. Dogs tend to get more restless and try to scratch frequently near the eye.
That is more dangerous than the stye itself. Because by scratching, the dog can cause wounds and spread the infection to the tissues. In more extreme cases, ulcers can appear in the eyes and proliferation of bacteria for other organs.
Therefore , when detecting one of the primary symptoms, it is essential to take proper care of the stye, and observe the behavior of the pet.
How to treat a stye in your pet?
The best way to treat a stye is by attacking the root cause. In other words: eliminating bacteria. For that, antibiotics are used. Normally, preference is given to ointments, as they are easier to apply to the affected area.
Since this is a mild infection, the vet may choose not to use antibiotics. You have to reduce the swelling and discomfort while the body itself takes care of eliminating the bacteria.
In immunosuppressed animals, the body may not be able to fight the infection. The vet will prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
Tips for treating stye
Keep the eyes sanitized
Cleaning is essential to prevent and combat the proliferation of bacteria. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the eye area well clean. It is recommended to clean with gauze soaked in physiological saline or boric water 3 to 4 times a day.
Drops of hydrogen peroxide can be applied to the eye. Hydrogen peroxide kills a large number of anaerobic bacteria and sterilizes the area. But you have to be careful with concentration. 2 to 3 drops daily, never again.
Sanitize the environment
The cleaning of the eyes must be extended to the entire environment where the animal lives. Be very careful mainly for the containers of water and food. But it is not advisable to use corrosive or strong-smelling chemicals.
Chamomile infusion
Chamomile helps relieve discomfort, pain, and restlessness in the dog. It is recommended to wet compresses or gauze and apply for 10 to 15 minutes. It is not advisable to repeat more than 3 times a day.
Caring for a stye: Ice compresses
Ice packs help deflate the eye and soothe irritation. It is recommended to apply a compress for 5 to 10 minutes 2 or 3 times a day.
A compress before bed can improve the quality of your sleep. The stye is usually quite annoying when closing the eyes.
Avoid contact with the stye
Handling the stye is not indicated. The hands and feet can carry a greater number of microorganisms to the affected area. As it is difficult to control the movements of an animal, it is recommended to put on the protection collar.
It is even less prudent to explode or break the bundle. In addition to being painful, it can cause bacteria to grow in the eyeball or bloodstream.
Strengthen the immune system
The immune system is capable of naturally fighting most conditions. But it is necessary to strengthen it daily. The most suitable and simple way is by providing a balanced diet and drinkable hydration.
Regular visits to the vet are essential, in addition to vaccination and antiparasitic treatment. This is how best to apply the care of a stye in dogs.
Main image source: Andrés Landeau
