You are here:

Ask the Veterinarian/Canine eye infection

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/14/2011


Question
Dear doctor,

If an antibiotic is needed for a dog's eye infection , is Polysporin eye/ear drops ( available in Canada) compatible with canine eyes?

For human eye infections , it is safe to try this for 24 -48 hours to see if it is effective before going to our doctor.

Is it also reasonable to try this for 24 hours in a dog to see if there is improvement if there is just a little bit of puss in the corner of the eye?

Is the product itself compatible with dogs? I have read that Neosporin has an ingredient that is poisonous to dogs. What about Polysporin?

Thanks,
Kelly

Answer
First of all, I am not a doctor. Secondly, never, ever mess with eye infections, especially your own!!

Neosporin, polysporin, polymixin and bactercin are all ingredients in eye ointments. That is all I can tell you.

I cannot recommend or tell you what to give your dog- but the same holds true for them. Never wait when it comes to matters of the eye. You can clean out an eye with a small amount of discharge but that doesn't take care of the problem.

A vet must be seen to determine what is going on with the eyes.

Ask the Veterinarian

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.