I'm wondering where you heard this? I was under the impression that even foreign objects in the eye like extra dust, sand etc, can cause conjunctivitis. One of my chins had an eye infection about a year ago and I believed it to be from the extra dust baths with tinactin to prevent any fungus from recurring. Never was I told that it was caused by fecal matter in her eye. Actually, this is the first I've heard of the matter.
I don't doubt that having fecal matter in one's eye would cause an infection, but I would imagine that there are other things that could bring upon an infection.
I got this info from med school actually, before we run away with that topic I am no longer a med student. Conjunctivitis, aka Pink Eye, is one of those fun diseases that can tranfer from people to animal and is diagnostically the same. I could list a bunch of books this is in if you would really like. Its true that Fecal matter is not the only way, but it is the most common form in both people and animals. Conjunctivitis is usually a bacterial infection of the, as RMC said, conjunctiva. There is a viral form but there is nothing you can do for that but use sterile saline to relieve irritation untill it goes away on its own.. Signs are swelling of the eyelids, irritation of the eyes, and yellow/green mucoid discharge.
People are usually not told its fecal matter in the eye. They would say its impossible, must be something else. But if you think about it, children get it much more often than adults. Children are much less care when it comes to restroom hygene.... Doctor secrets.. buahahaha! Chins run on fecal matter and clean their faces often. As with anything that has eyelids not everybody closes their eyes all the way and tada!!! But thats only why fecal matter is the main cause.
Allergic conjunctivitis is highly debated. Is it? Isn't it? Last I heard it was not because the lack of infection, and instead of continuous thick yellow or green discharge it has ropey white discharge.
RMC is right about the dust. An allergic reaction would look very much the same and have no reaction to antibiotics. New bath dust and/or bedding could help. And RMC makes a great point on collidial silver. Great stuff!
Taking the fleese away is a great idea, especially if its bacterial.
ps. please tell me if I'm reading as snotty, I really don't mean to be.
