Does your pet have red, itchy or inflamed eyes? This condition is called conjunctivitis just as it is for people.
Veterinarians say if your pet exhibits the following symptoms you need to take them to the vet:
** The eye is obviously painful and your pet is shaking her head or pawing their eye to try to relieve the pain.
** The blood vessels in the whites of the eyes are very swollen.
** You see lines or circles in the main part of the eye.
** The eye is cloudy.
If your pet does not have any of these symptoms, holistic (natural) vets offer these natural cures for your pet's red or itchy eyes:
Use natural herbal eye-drops - You can use equal parts eye bright and goldenseal eye-drops (buy at health food stores) and put one or two drops of the solution in your pet's eyes three times a day. You can also use one drop of almond or cod liver oil in your pet's eyes one to four times a day. Both large grocery stores and natural food stores carry various brands of almond and cod liver oil.
Use a homeopathic remedy - Homeopathic remedies come in pill form. The pills are quite small and can be easily swallowed by your pet. Homeopathic remedies can be found in health food stores and sometimes at your grocery store. Arnica should be used when tissues surrounding the eyes are inflamed or swollen. Use Belladonna when eyes are inflamed such as with pinkeye. Pulsatilla is used when pets have pinkeye and thick yellow or greenish discharge. If your pet's eyes are tearing quite a bit, give them euphrasia. Whichever remedy you choose, vets usually suggest giving two 30C pills. After the initial dose, only give a second dose if the eye has not improved.
Chinese remedy - Any species of chrysanthemum sold as the Chinese remedy juhua will relieve eye irritation. Standard recommendation from vets is one quarter teaspoon twice a day of this powdered herb for cats and dogs under 15 pounds, one-half teaspoon for pets 15 to 50 pounds and larger dogs can have up to one tablespoon.
If symptoms persist after a few days, go ahead and see your vet.
