Yes, dogs can get pink eye, which is a bacterial infection. We tend to see it from pet to pet in daycares where they play and are in close contact, but it's not highly contagious from dog to dog, and it's not contagious to humans. It causes a red, inflamed eye and usually a green mucoid discharge.

It's best to use a food reward since dogs are food-motivated. Have your dog look up, then bring your hand up and around the back to apply the medication from the top down. Use one drop or a grain-of-rice-sized amount of ointment between the eyelids, then gently massage the area. It could be helpful to place a treat, like peanut butter or squeeze cheese, on a wall to have the dog look up while you apply the medication.

Cataracts in dogs are similar to those in humans. The lens in the middle of the eye becomes white, solid, and opaque, making it impossible to see through. We diagnose cataracts by examining the eye with a light. Sometimes cataracts are due to aging, but they can also occur in diabetic dogs or as a result of an eye injury. Treatment options include leaving the cataract untreated, though this can lead to inflammation and secondary glaucoma, or referring your dog to a veterinary ophthalmologist who can remove the cataract and potentially restore some sight.

Yes, dogs with bulgy eyes like Pugs, Boston Terriers, and Bulldog breeds (Frenchies and Old English Bulldogs) are more prone to eye injuries. They have more ocular surface or eyes that are forward-facing, so their eyelids are back, exposing more of their eyes. However, other breeds, like the German Shepherd, also have distinct eye diseases associated with them. You should consult your veterinarian for more information about breed-specific ocular diseases.

Usually, your dog will show signs of discomfort. They may wink at you, keep their eye closed, or have excessive tearing. Tears may spill down the nasal area, and they may even sneeze due to the tears running into their nose. The eye might also appear red and irritated.

Some types of pain in cats could be caused by an injury, such as a cat bite abscess which are incredibly painful. The cat might show an area of a wound or hair loss and swelling in the area of the injury. Lameness or limping is also a sign of pain. If your cat used to jump a lot but is now staying down on the floor more and not going up in vertical spaces, that can be a sign of arthritic pain. Unfortunately, cancer growing in the body can also cause pain, making the cat seem more reclusive or tired.

Some signs your cat may be in pain could include: they may go and hide (which I call suffering silently), they may be reluctant to eat or drink, they might show some lameness or mobility issues, they may not groom themselves as much resulting in an unkempt or matted hair coat. Pain signs can be subtle and cats don't usually vocalize when they're in pain, although they could if the pain is severe, especially if you touch a painful area. They might show aggression or even vocalize with some pain.

There are a lot of other allergy medications your cat can take. We are going to prescribe or recommend allergy medication depending on what type of allergy your pet actually has. So that can only really be determined when you actually bring your cat in to see us. We have these conversations. We might do some testing and then we're going to prescribe the correct medication that is appropriate for your cat and their type of allergies. So we really recommend that if you feel like your cat may have an allergic type problem either with their skin or digestive issues, we want you to reach out to your veterinarian. Please schedule that appointment to get them seen, and if you have any more questions related to cat allergies, we invite you to reach out to Blue Oasis Pet Hospital. We're here to help.