Eye Injuries in Pets: When to Seek Vet Care

Eye injuries can happen to our pets no matter how careful they are. Here, our Greensboro vets explain what symptoms to look for, and when to seek veterinary care if your cat or dog is displaying symptoms of an eye injury.

Eye injuries in pets can range from mild to severe, and may 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 blindness if not properly treated.

Common Causes of Eye Injuries in Pets

There are many causes for eye injuries in pets, but the most common include:

• Cat eye injury from fights
• Dog eye injury caused by cat scratch
• Other types of altercations with animals
• Running in the woods - branches scratching eye
• Digging in brush - damage to eye caused by brush
• Dangerous projectiles such as fireworks
• Riding in a car with head out the window

Symptoms of Pet Eye Injuries

If your dog or cat is experiencing any of the following eye injury symptoms, get to your vet right away:

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 Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Greensboro. We offer advanced ocular procedures to diagnose and treat all kinds of eye problems in 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.

If your pet has sustained an eye injury or showing symptoms of an eye condition, contact our Greensboro vets right away, or for after-hours care, be sure to contact your nearest emergency vet.