Eye injuries happen to humans and pets alike, but our animal friends aren't able to tell us when something is wrong. Today, our Renton vet team explains symptoms to look for, and why you should seek veterinary care right away if your cat or dog has signs of an eye injury.
Pets can experience eye injuries ranging in seriousness from mild to severe. These injuries can 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.
Urgent veterinary care is especially important when dealing with a dog or cat eye injury because a number of eye conditions can lead to permanent scarring or even a loss of sight if not properly treated.
Common Causes of Eye Injuries in Pets
There are many causes of eye injuries in pets, some of the most common being:
- Injury from fights (e.g. with another family pet or other animal)
- Running in the woods (e.g. branches scratching the eye)
- Digging in the brush (e.g. damage to the eye caused by brush)
- Projectiles
- Dry eye or foreign body (e.g. riding with head outside open car window)
Symptoms of Pet Eye Injuries
If your dog or cat is experiencing any of the following eye injury symptoms, visit 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 help your vet determine the diagnosis by providing specific information including when your pet’s symptoms began, if they seem better or worse, and any details you may know about the situation 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 depend on the severity of your pet's injury and what caused the injury to your pet's eye. In many cases a simple injury can be treated by having your dog or cat wear an e-collar to prevent rubbing and prescription antibiotics or drops. More complex injuries may require surgery to repair your pet's eye and restore its function.
If your dog or cat is suffering from an ongoing or severe eye issue contact Northwest Animal Eye Specialists for advanced ophthalmology services to diagnose and treat a range of eye issues in beloved 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.