What is conjunctivitis?

Does your pet have red, weepy eyes, or puffy eyelids? Or are her eyes goopy with a yellow or greenish discharge? If so, she's most likely feeling the pain of an infection or inflammation of the tissue that lines the eyelid and coats the eye. This malady is called conjunctivitis, or "pink eye."

The symptoms vary according to the offending culprit, and there are quite a few - from allergens, grasses, and chemicals to bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Once the causative agent is identified, antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs are used to dispatch it. And in most cases, the result is bright, clear and healthy eyes. Treatment is a must, however, as conjunctivitis left untreated can lead to other, more serious problems.

– Dr. Andrea Looney, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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