What To Do If a Dog's Eye Is Scratched?

Dogs often suffer injuries as a result of their rambunctious lifestyle. Some of these injuries are minor and can be treated at home. This is not the case with eye injuries. Whether these injuries are the result of fighting, rough play or cat scratches, they must be taken seriously. Damage to the eye could cause permanent damage to your dog̵7;s vision.

  1. Immediate Care

    • There are no real home remedies for scratches to a dog̵7;s eye, also called corneal laceration. Therefore it is imperative to seek immediate veterinary treatment. Before you get to the veterinarian, keep the dog calm and quiet. Do not allow the dog to paw at or rub the injured eye as this could make the injury worse and lead to infection. Limit access to food and water before the vet visit in case the animal needs to be anesthetized for treatment. Do not try to clean the scratch yourself. Do not use eye drops or other medications. If you already own an Elizabethan collar̵2;a cone-shaped collar also known as an E collar̵2;put it on your dog to keep him from further injuring his eye.

    At the Veterinarian

    • Your veterinarian is the only person who can help your dog with eye injuries. The vet will likely place the dog in an E collar if you have not already done so. The eye will be thoroughly examined to determine the severity of the injury, and the area around the eye will also be examined. Surgery may be required to remove any damaged tissue on the eye. Topical or oral antibiotics or other medications may be administered. If the eye has leaked fluid, the veterinarian can replace it using a salt solution. For severe injuries, the eye may be temporarily stitched closed for a few days to allow it to heal properly.

    Follow-Up Care

    • Keep the E collar on at home so that your dog can resist the temptation to poke, prod and paw at his injured eye. Administer medication as your veterinarian instructed. Notify your veterinarian of any problems with the eye or with the medication for the eye. Continue to keep the dog calm and quiet. He may need restricted access to other pets or to be removed from other pets until the injury is healed. Attend any check-ups and follow-up appointments for your dog̵7;s eye.