The Difference Between Conjunctivitis and Keratitis in Dogs
📝 Summary
Conjunctivitis and keratitis are both eye diseases but differ in location and symptoms: conjunctivitis inflames the conjunctiva (redness, discharge, often from irritation), while keratitis affects the cornea (cloudiness, ulcers, possible perforation). Clean with saline and use pet eye drops for mild cases; see a vet for severe or corneal cases.
1 Conjunctivitis vs. Keratitis in Dogs
What’s the difference?
Both are eye diseases, but they inflame different spots and differ in symptoms.
Conjunctivitis: symptoms are conjunctival redness, squinting, pain, tearing, and discharge from the corner. Discharge varies—serous, mucous, or purulent. Most cases come from external irritation such as blocked tear ducts, medication, or bacteria from trauma.
Keratitis: usually from corneal trauma, infection after injury, allergy, or foreign-body reaction. Common forms are traumatic, superficial, chronic superficial, interstitial, and ulcerative. Shared signs: light aversion, tearing, pain, closed lids, corneal cloudiness, defects or ulcers; severe cases perforate. Mild keratitis is hard to spot—only rough, uneven cornea shows in raking light.
Treatment:
Conjunctivitis: for mild cases, clean the eye with saline, then apply pet eye drops for 3–5 days. For severe cases, take the dog to a vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Keratitis: reduce inflammation—rinse with 3% boric acid (or sterile saline) to clear discharge, then put antibacterial drops in the conjunctival sac to prevent iris adhesion. To aid corneal absorption, apply 0.5% cortisone acetate to the lids.
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