They didn’t mean your dog has conjunctivitis—this silent crisis is far worse

Sun, 03 May 2026 05:41:54 +0000

Beyond conjunctivitis: The silent crisis endangering your dog’s eyesight When you notice your dog squinting, pawing at its eyes, or showing redness around the whites, most pet owners immediately think of conjunctivitis—commonly known as “pink eye.” While this condition does affect dogs, many overlook a much deeper and far more severe ocular crisis that’s quietly affecting our pets: chronic dry eye and inflammatory eye diseases that, if untreated, can lead to vision loss. This silent crisis is worse than most pet parents realize—but understanding it is the first step toward prevention and early treatment. ### Why Conjunctivitis Isn’t the Whole Story Conjunctivitis is a visible, often treatable inflammation of the eye’s outer membrane, usually caused by infection, allergens, or irritants. Symptoms like redness, discharge, or swelling are easy to spot and respond well to antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications. However, these outward signs mask a more insidious problem: chronic dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), a condition where the eyes fail to produce enough tears, damaging the cornea and increasing susceptibility to infections.