A downside of robust play here at NBKC is that sand or dirt can flick into the eye and cause irritation. We constantly monitor and flush eyes to help our guests remove pesky particles before they become something more sinister. We use a safe saline solution readily available from pharmacies.

We encourage our customers to do the same at home – rinse morning and night until the eyes clear.

• Squirt a generous amount in the eye
• Wipe away excess with a cotton pad
• Repeat (using a fresh cotton pad) if necessary

If the eyes don’t clear within a few days, non-infectious conjunctivitis may have taken hold. A veterinary appointment is essential to assess the eye’s health, and delaying it can cause serious health issues.

Symptoms to look for: red or puffy eyes, eye discharge, eyes sticking together or squinting, swelling of the eyelid lining (the conjunctiva), rubbing or pawing at the eye due to itchiness or discomfort.

There are three types of conjunctivitis: bacterial, viral, and non-infectious (triggered by foreign matter—sand, dirt, dust, or pollen*). The latter is the most common. However, we rely on customers to share the vet’s diagnosis so we can manage communications effectively with our other guests (pre- and post-board).

Therefore, we thank our customers in advance for their feedback. This information cannot be downplayed, particularly if the infection is bacterial or viral.

*If the eye irritation is due to an allergic reaction to grass or seed, administering an antihistamine tablet to your pet might help. We have received reports from customers that this method can be successful; however, it depends on the individual case and type of irritation.