When seeing a newly born puppy with its eyes tightly closed, increased secretions at the corners of the eyes, and even signs of redness, swelling, and ulceration, the owner's heart is instantly filled with agonizing pain. These fragile little lives should start their growth journey in warmth and care, but they suffer from keratitis at an early stage. A newly born puppy suffering from keratitis is not only a challenge to its life but also a test for the owner. In the face of this situation, we need to be guided by professional knowledge and use full love and patience to help the puppy overcome the illness.
In terms of the cause of the disease, the immune system of a newly born puppy has not been fully developed, and its resistance is extremely weak, making it highly vulnerable to the invasion of pathogens. Bacterial infection is one of the common causes of keratitis, such as staphylococcus and streptococcus. During the bitch's delivery process, if the environment is not clean and hygienic, the bacteria in the delivery room may invade the puppy's eyes and cause inflammation. Viral infections should not be underestimated either. Once a puppy is infected with viruses such as canine distemper virus and herpes virus, it will also affect the eyes and lead to keratitis. In addition, physical injuries, such as the squeezing in the birth canal during delivery, the friction of foreign objects, or chemical stimuli, such as accidentally coming into contact with irritating liquids, may damage the fragile cornea of the puppy and then trigger inflammation. Behind each possible cause of the disease, there is a threat to the puppy's health. Watching the puppy in discomfort, the owner wishes to immediately find out the cause of the disease and relieve its pain.
The symptoms of keratitis are relatively obvious and severe in newly born puppies. A sick puppy usually blinks frequently, squints, and may even be unable to open its eyes because every time it opens its eyes, it brings pain. There will be a large amount of secretions at the corners of the eyes. In the early stage, they may be clear mucus. As the disease progresses, the secretions will become thick, yellow or yellow-green, and may even be accompanied by bloodshot eyes in severe cases. The cornea will become cloudy and white, as if covered with a layer of mist, affecting the puppy's vision. If the disease continues to deteriorate, the cornea may ulcerate and perforate, causing irreversible damage to the puppy's eyes and even leading to blindness. Watching the originally lively little eyes lose their luster due to the illness, the owner's heart is tightly gripped, and they only hope to take measures as soon as possible to relieve the puppy's pain.

Once it is found that a newly born puppy has keratitis, immediate action must be taken, and seeking medical treatment in a timely manner is the key. Since the puppy's body is delicate, self-medication is likely to exacerbate the condition due to improper dosage or wrong choice of drugs. A professional veterinarian will accurately determine the type and severity of keratitis through detailed eye examinations, such as slit lamp examination and corneal scraping examination, and then formulate a suitable treatment plan. During the process of going to the hospital, the owner should try to keep the puppy warm and stable, gently wrap it with a soft towel, avoid jolting and shaking, and reduce the puppy's discomfort. Every careful care is filled with the owner's deep love for the puppy, hoping to bring them some comfort.
In terms of treatment, according to the cause and symptoms of keratitis, the veterinarian will take targeted treatment measures. If keratitis is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotic eye drops or eye ointments are usually used, such as chloramphenicol eye drops and erythromycin eye ointment. These drugs can inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria and eliminate inflammation. For keratitis caused by a viral infection, antiviral drugs are needed, such as acyclovir eye drops. During the medication process, strictly follow the veterinarian's advice and grasp the frequency and dosage of the medication. When applying eye drops or eye ointment to a newly born puppy, the action must be gentle and accurate to avoid hurting its fragile eyes. Gently lift the puppy's upper eyelid, drop or apply the medicine into the conjunctival sac, and then gently massage the eyelid to make the medicine evenly distributed. Watching the puppy's docile appearance during treatment, the owner's heart is filled with heartache, and they are more determined to help it recover.
In addition to drug treatment, daily care is also crucial. Keep the puppy's eyes clean. Use a clean cotton ball or gauze, dip it in warm normal saline, and gently wipe the secretions at the corners of the eyes, wiping from the inner corner to the outer corner to avoid wiping back and forth to prevent the spread of infection. Provide the puppy with a warm, clean, and quiet living environment to reduce external stimuli. Lay a soft cushion in the doghouse and change it regularly to keep it dry and hygienic. At the same time, closely observe the puppy's condition changes, including the symptoms of the eyes, mental state, and appetite. If the condition worsens or other abnormal situations occur, communicate with the veterinarian in a timely manner and adjust the treatment plan. Every meticulous care is the owner's protection of the puppy's health, hoping to help the puppy recover as soon as possible through their own efforts.
A newly born puppy suffering from keratitis is a difficult battle between the owner and the disease. In this process, professional treatment is the weapon to overcome the disease, and warm love and careful care are the source of strength for the puppy. Watching the puppy gradually open its eyes and regain its luster under one's care, the joy and sense of accomplishment are beyond words. Because in the owner's heart, these weak lives deserve to be treated gently. We are willing to use all our knowledge, patience, and love to dispel the shadow of the disease and accompany them to welcome a hopeful future.