We all know just how painful it can be when something gets in our eye or we get an eye infection. Imagine how that would feel if you were a dog and you couldn’t communicate to your owner just what was hurting you! Eye injuries can be just as unpleasant and painful for dogs, so here are some top tips to help you recognise the problem and know how to help.
When eye injuries are most likely to occur:
- When your dog is running through heavy vegetation/woodland or playing vigorously with another dog. It often happens when your dog is fetching a stick or ball, so be extra careful where you throw it
- If your dog has a pre-existing eye impairment or deformity that may affect the structure of the eye
- If you have a puppy or young dog that hasn’t yet learned caution and is over-exuberant in their play
- During a fight with another animal (particularly a cat). Cats often scratch at faces when they fight – and this can often end up damaging their opponent’s eye
The most common signs that your dog has sustained an eye injury include:
- Squinting
- Their eyelid(s) twitching
- Excessive blinking
- Difficulty opening their eye
- Pawing at/trying to rub their eye
- More watering of the eye than usual
- A discharge/bleeding from the eye or swelling of the eye
- The eye being bloodshot/red
- Sudden sensitivity to light
- A change in the size/shape of the pupil(s)
In all these cases, it is necessary for your dog to be seen by a vet as soon as possible.
More serious injuries:
For some breeds of dog it is possible for the eye to either bulge out of its socket – or even come out altogether. Should the eye have come out of its socket or appear to be bulging, it is important to prevent the eye from drying out and to reduce the risk of further damage and infection. If this does happen, you will need to apply a dressing that has been soaked int a sterile saline solution. It is important to prevent the animal from rubbing or scratching their eye (an Elizabethan collar is ideal for this) and call the vet as soon as possible. The dressing will need to remain wet whilst in transit to vet, so continually re-moisten the dressing with saline solution.
Chemicals in the eye:
If your pet gets chemicals in their eye, wash the eye immediately with cold water or saline eye was and transport them to the nearest vet.
Steps to follow:
Wear gloves
Rinse the eye with cool running water for at least 10 minutes (this is more easily done with an eye wash dispenser- or alternatively, a sports drinking bottle can be helpful)
Ensure the run off is away from your pet and be careful it does not contaminate you or anything else
Cover the affected eye with a non-fluffy pad, if necessary
Call the vet and arrange to have the dog transferred as soon as possible
Take the bottle of chemical with you or take a photo of the label, as this will be helpful to the vet when it comes to treating your dog.
First Aid for Pets provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for veterinary advice. The author does not accept any liability or responsibility for any inaccuracies or for any mistreatment or misdiagnosis of any person or animal, however caused. It is strongly advised that you attend a practical First Aid for Pets course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.