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Eye and ear disease: conjunctivitis, keratitis, tearing, cataract, mites, and otitis

A source-linked guide to eye and ear warning signs, where pain, vision change, neurologic signs, and deep ear disease should not wait.

Compiled by Petwell · Source content version 2.0.0
Source project update: 2026-05-13

Eye and ear disease: conjunctivitis, keratitis, tearing, cataract, mites, and otitis

Educational pet-health and visit-preparation reference. Not a diagnosis, prescription, dosage recommendation or substitute for a veterinarian.

Care & observations

  • Prevent rubbing or scratching with a recovery collar if safe, and keep ears dry while arranging veterinary advice.
  • Gently clean discharge from surrounding fur only; avoid pressure on eyes and avoid deep ear cleaning.
  • Take photos or videos of discharge, squinting, head shaking, head tilt, or balance issues if the pet is calm.

Seek veterinary care now

  • Squinting, closed eye, eye trauma, chemical exposure, cloudy eye, sudden vision loss, severe swelling, or bulging eye.
  • Head tilt, loss of balance, severe ear pain, bleeding, swollen ear flap, or neurologic signs with ear disease.

Contact your veterinarian soon

  • Persistent tearing, discharge, redness, odor, head shaking, recurrent ear debris, mild squinting, or chronic eye staining.
  • Any eye or ear issue in a young, senior, diabetic, immune-compromised, or flat-faced pet.

What to avoid

  • Do not use leftover eye or ear drops, steroid drops, human drops, oils, alcohol, peroxide, or deep cotton swabs.
  • Do not delay eye pain; some eye conditions can worsen quickly and threaten vision.

MAKE YOUR OBSERVATIONS USEFUL

Bring a clear timeline to your vet

For the changes covered in this guide, note when they started, how often they happen, whether they are worsening and how they differ from your pet’s usual routine. List recent diet changes, medicines, travel or possible ingestion in time order. Add photos or a short video only when it is safe and will not delay care.

Open local health records

Sources & editorial context

Migrated from the Pet Vet Reference project with its bilingual content preserved. Cited organizations provide background resources and do not endorse this site. Source-based compilation is not individual clinical review; this page does not claim veterinarian sign-off.

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