The eyes of your dog are very fragile AND very important.
Because dogs are living “closer to the ground” than humans, they are much more likely to injure their eyes. Think about branches sticking out in the forest, sand, mud, chemicals, furniture in your home, etc.
Another, and probably the most common cause for severe injuries, is attacks from other dogs or animals.
Eye injuries come in many shapes and forms. Some don’t require veterinary attention, others may lead to permanent blindness.
Eye injuries are usually very easy to detect. Small injuries, like a small scratch, are often paired with blinking. However, if you see any of the following signs, you should seek immediate veterinary attention. Failing to do so may result in severe eye problems!
Keeping the eye closed.
Excessive redness and/or swelling.
The eyelids can’t cover the eyeball completely.
Excessive blinking.
If you see any blood.
It’s likely that a foreign object, such as sand, is trapped in the eye.
Open the dog’s eye to see if you can find anything unusual. If there is, and it didn’t penetrate the eye, you can try to flush it out with water or swipe it away with a wet Q-tip or cotton swab.
If something did penetrate the eye, cover the eye with a moist sterile gauze pad and use an Elisabeth’s collar to prevent the dog from scratching his eye. Go to the vet a.s.a.p.
Note: Never attempt to remove a penetrated object yourself!
These symptoms are also related to bacterial eye infections. They can be developed in just a few hours.
Bacterial infections often require antibiotic ointments to cure the condition. The vet can prescribe the correct medicine after examining the eye.
Check if something is stuck in the eye. If not, your dog may have an allergic reaction or another chronical eye condition. You can flush the eye with running water, contact lens saline solution or homemade saline solution (1 tablespoon of salt in 1 quart of water). If the eye keeps tearing, visit the vet.
If there’s a colored pus coming from the eye, it’s likely to be an eye infection. This should be examined by a professional immediately.
Flush the eye with running water, contact lens saline solution or homemade saline solution. Do this for at least 15 minutes. Visit the vet.
Don’t attempt to put the eye back yourself! This has to be done under anesthesia. Cover the eye with a damp, sterile gauze pad and tie is around the dog’s head.
If the dog doesn’t allow you to touch him, just keep the eye wet at all times!
It’s important that the eyeball and eye socket don’t get dry. Otherwise, it won’t be possible to put the eye back into the eye socket.
Obviously, go to the vet immediately!
Don’t attempt to give water or food to the dog. The dog may inhale it and may suffocate.
Don’t give any medications, unless instructed by a qualified veterinarian.
Don’t ignore early stages of shock! Even if you think your dog is not in shock, take him to the vet after an accident! Don’t hesitate going to the emergency care unit.
Implications from shock come extremely fast and every second is vital!
Thank you for staying with me, I hope you've learned some useful information.
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