Eye injuries in dogs

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.

Overview

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

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

Risk

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:

Diagnosis

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

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.

Home treatment

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.

Prevention

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: