Eye injuries in dogs can range from minor to severe. Symptoms can vary from squinting or closing the eye, to red eye or rupture. Most eye injuries are considered emergencies.

Eye injuries in dogs can be caused by trauma, fights, or foreign bodies. Untreated eye injuries can lead to further complications. Any dog can get their eye injured and should be seen by a vet promptly. Eye injuries can lead to permanent scarring, blindness or loss of the eye if not treated immediately.

What is an eye injury in dogs?

Eye injuries in dogs can result from various causes, including:

• Trauma: road traffic accidents, falls

• Fights

• Foreign bodies in the eye, such as grass seeds or sand

Eye injuries can range from wounds around the eye, and scratches to the cornea (the outer surface of the eye) to eye perforation or prolapse of the globe (when the eyeball falls out of the socket).

Eye injuries can be extremely painful and result in blindness if not treated promptly and are considered emergencies.

Take your dog to the nearest vet practice if they have an eye injury and are in pain.

Symptoms of eye injury in dogs

• Squinting or closing the eye

• Pawing or rubbing at the face

• Redness in the eye or bloodshot-appearing eye

• Eye that bulges out of its socket

• Eye discharge

• Cloudy eye

• Swollen eye

Risks and complications of eye injuries in dogs

Dogs of any age and breed can be affected by an injury to the eye.

Breeds with a flat face and bulgy, large eyes are more at risk of trauma.

If the injury on the eye is not identified and treated, it can cause further eye problems such as:

• Eye ulcers

• Eye perforation

• Conjunctivitis

• Cataracts

• Glaucoma

How is an eye injury diagnosed in dogs?

In addition to the symptoms your dog might present, the vet will need to use other tests to help identify the possible cause:

• Visual examination

• Dye test

• Tear production test

• Test the pressure inside the eye

Depending on your dog’s temperament and level of pain, your vet may need to sedate them to check their eye further.

Vet treatment for eye injuries in dogs

The course of the treatment depends on the severity of the injury.

• Pain medication: given by mouth or as eye drops

• Antibiotics: eye ointment, eye drops or tablets by mouth

• Buster collar: to prevent further injury to the eye

• Blood serum: the liquid portion of blood applied to the eye to promote healing

Procedures

• Debridement and keratotomy: procedures that encourage ulcers to heal.

• Eye enucleation: eye surgery to remove the eye completely.

• Referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist can be necessary for advanced surgical management options.

How to look after your dog with an eye injury

Follow your vet’s recommendations thoroughly:

• Do not remove the buster collar.

  • Use a rigid collar at all times.

  • Fabric or inflatable ones are not suitable for eye protection.

• Do not allow activity and rough play.

• Give time between topical eye medication to allow absorption.

  • 5 min between each medication is usually recommended.

  • Some products require more time, talk to a vet if you are unsure.

• Monitor your dog's symptoms closely.

Preventing eye injuries in dogs

Eye injuries usually happen when your dog is out and about or has disputes with other animals. Be vigilant of any signs of weepy eyes, squinting or pawing at the face if your dog has been:

• At the beach, in the woods or in the garden

• Walking outside when there is more pollen in the air

• Fighting or playing with other animals, including cats

• In contact with dangerous projectiles such as fireworks

• In a car ride with head out the window

When to worry about your dog with an eye injury?

Take your dog to the nearest emergency practice if:

• Their eye has ruptured

• Their eye is out of the socket

Call your vet if your dog:

• Has a bloodshot-appearing eye

• Has a swollen eye

• Is squinting or closing their eye.

• Seems to be in pain

• Has increased eye discharge or change to a pus-like discharge

Call us at Joii if:

• If your dog seems to be getting worse despite treatment

• If you’re unable to give or apply the medication prescribed by your vet

• If you’re not sure about your dog’s signs