Eye injuries in pets can range from mild to severe and may include foreign bodies in the eye, scratches, chemical exposure or contact corneal trauma.
As soon as you notice your dog's eye injury - or that your cat showing symptoms of an eye injury - see a veterinarian to determine the cause and severity.
When it comes to a dog or cat eye injury, immediate veterinary care is especially important because a variety of eye conditions can result in permanent scarring or even blindness if not treated properly.
Common Causes of Eye Injuries in Pets
There are many causes of eye injuries in pets, but the most common include:
- Cat eye injury from fights
- Dog eye injury caused by a cat scratch
- Other types of altercations with animals
- Running in the woods - branches scratching the eye
- Digging in the brush - damage to the eye caused by brush
- Dangerous projectiles such as fireworks
- Riding in a car with head out the window
Symptoms of Pet Eye Injuries
If your dog or cat is experiencing any of the following eye injury symptoms, get to your vet right away:
- General Discomfort
- Squinting
- Rapid Blinking
- Inability to Open Eye
- Tearing Eyes
- Bloodshot Eyes
- Pawing at Eye / Face
- Cloudiness or Discharge
Diagnosing Pet Eye Injuries
You can aid your veterinarian's diagnosis by providing specific details such as when your pet's symptoms first appeared, whether they improved or worsened, and any details you may know about the incident that caused the injury.
If your vet can’t immediately see a foreign object in your pet's eye or other damage to the eye, they’ll conduct a thorough ocular exam to determine if there’s a deeper injury, irritation, or bruising as a result of trauma.
Cat & Dog Eye Injury Treatment
Treatment options will be determined by the severity of your pet's injury and the cause of the eye injury. In many cases, a simple injury can be treated with an e-collar to prevent rubbing and antibiotics or drops prescribed by your veterinarian. More serious injuries may necessitate surgery to repair and restore your pet's eye's function.
If your dog or cat is suffering from an ongoing or severe eye issue contact Animal Eye Guys. We offer advanced ophthalmology services to diagnose and treat all kinds of eye problems in pets.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.