How Should I Treat Eye Injury In My Dog?

Did the eye fell out of its socket?

Is your dog blinking or squinting excessively and avoiding bright lights?

Is your dog squinting and tearing up excessively or has red eyes?

Are your dog’s eyelids bruised or torn?

Has your dog's eye been exposed to chemicals?

Is there any watery discharge coming from the dog’s eye?

If the eye is out of its socket, it should be treated as an emergency. Every minute is valuable if the dog’s sight is to be saved. Do not attempt to put the eye back in its socket. Cover the eye with a damp, clean cloth and bandage it loosely to the head. If you can do it quickly, soak the cloth in warm, salty water or a supersaturated sugar solution to help preserve the eye. Get immediate veterinary attention, keeping the dog as quiet and calm as possible. Ideally, you should go straight to a veterinary ophthalmologist.

If your dog is blinking or squinting excessively and avoiding bright lights, there is likely something in his eye. Use a thumb to lift the upper eyelid and check for debris underneath. Do the same with the lower lid, using the other hand. If you can see something that needs removing, but which is not penetrating the eye, flush it out with tepid water or use a damp cotton swab to ease it out. If you can’t remove the object, bandage the eye and bring the dog to the veterinarian. Do not delay. If the object has penetrated the eye, bandage it immediately or fit the dog with an Elizabethan collar and take him to the veterinarian immediately.

If the dog is squinting and tearing up excessively or has red eyes, it is usually indicative of a scratched eye. Check for foreign objects in the eye area. If nothing is found, follow these guidelines: If you can see a scratch on the eye, cover it with a clean, damp cloth. Bandage the cloth to the head, use an Elizabethan collar, or bandage the dog’s dewclaws to prevent further damage. Take your dog to the vet the same day.

If the dog’s eyelids are bruised or torn (usually from a fight or other trauma) place a cold compress on the affected eye, to help reduce swelling. Keep the compress in place for 10 minutes. Take her to the vet the same day.

If the dog's eye has been exposed to chemicals, there may be burn damage. Flush the eye with fresh water for at least 10 minutes. Refer to the chemical’s packaging to see what further treatment is suggested. Bandage the eye to prevent further damage and bring the dog to the vet immediately. Remember to bring the chemical's container or packaging with you. On the way to the vet, call poison control so they are notified and treatment can be initiated promptly.

If you see a watery discharge coming from the dog’s eye flush the eye using tepid water, diluted cold tea, or a dog-specific eyewash. If there is no indication of a foreign object, seek veterinary advice. Your dog may have an allergy, abnormal eyelash growth, eyelid defects, or blocked tear ducts- all of which cause chronic tear production.