Treating Dog and Cat Eye Infections with Terramycin

Eye infections are common in dogs and cats. Severe eye infections can cause serious health issues and require veterinary intervention. But, pet parents who notice eye problems early can easily treat their pets at home long before the situation becomes serious.

One of the most effective medications for pet eye infections is Terramycin ophthalmic ointment. By learning about Terramycin for cats and dogs, pet parents can prepare to treat mild eye infections in their pets.

What Is Terramycin?

Terramycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. This distinctive bright yellow medication comes in many different forms for treating various bacterial conditions. Its ophthalmic ointment form combines two antibiotics: oxytetracycline hydrochloride and polymyxin B sulfate. Both are effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. 

In most states, Terramycin ointment is available over-the-counter. However, in some states like California, it is currently a prescription-only item. Pet parents using Terramycin should keep it stored at room temperature.

Using Terramycin for Eye Infections

The FDA has approved Terramycin ophthalmic ointment as a treatment for eye infections in animals. It can treat conjunctivitis, keratitis, pink eye, corneal ulcer, and blepharitis. It's also good for bacterial inflammations that are secondary results of infectious diseases. For example, it's often used for eye infections caused by complications from distemper in dogs.

Terramycin works rapidly. It is applied directly to the infected eyeball. People who have used Terramycin for pet eye infections report significant improvement in their pet's condition within a day or two of the initial application.

Side Effects of Terramycin

Like any other medication, Terramycin has potential side effects. The most common are irritation and redness around the treated eye. Terramycin can also temporarily increase the risk of sunburn around the eye or nose, so pet parents should keep their pets inside after it's applied.

Pet parents should avoid using Terramycin ophthalmic ointment on young, growing, and pregnant animals. It can cause permanent tooth discoloration to adult teeth if a pet swallows it accidentally. Additionally, if the pet already takes a different medication, pet parents should check with their veterinarian to confirm that the two medications will not have dangerous interactions.

A small number of pets are allergic to Terramycin eye ointment. If the pet exhibits allergic reactions after treatment, pet parents should immediately discontinue using the medication and notify their veterinarian. Common allergic reactions include facial swelling, irritation around the eye, pawing at the eye, and vomiting.

Treating Pets with Terramycin at Home

Professional veterinarian help for serious medical issues is important, but pet parents should also learn about over-the-counter pet medications they can use. Terramycin is a great example. This fast-acting, low-risk medicine is effective and easy to administer. Pet parents can take their pets' health into their own hands by knowing how medications like Terramycin work and how to use them responsibly.

To learn more about treating pets at home, Fuzzy members can start a chat with the veterinary support team 24/7.