Like humans, dogs can feel uncomfortable and in pain, you know, if they have a scratch on their eye. However, unlike humans, scratches in dogs are generally not indicated by reduced visual quality, but by changes in the dog's behavior indicating that he is in pain. Because it feels so uncomfortable, dogs will often scratch their own eyes. As a result, the condition of the wound will get worse! Therefore, if you notice a scratch on your dog's eye, immediately check the condition of the wound and take him to the vet as soon as possible. Believe me, being swift in bringing your dog to treatment is effective in preventing damage to the dog's eyes from getting worse.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Treating Dog Eyes Scratches
Step 1. Assess the severity of the wound
If the injury is minor and your dog's behavior seems fine, try waiting a few days for the wound to heal on its own. If after a few days his condition doesn't improve, or if the wound is really serious and/or looks infected, take him to the vet immediately!
If it is difficult to identify the severity of the wound in the dog's eye, take him to the doctor immediately. The doctor can examine the dog's condition more thoroughly and consider whether or not intensive treatment is needed, especially since in some cases, the wound in the dog's eye can heal on its own
Step 2. Take the dog to the vet
If the damage or discomfort in your dog's eyes gets worse after a day or two, take him to the vet immediately! Remember, an untreated scratch in a dog's eye can develop into a more serious health problem!
- Veterinarians have special tools that can be used to see the condition of the dog's eyes in more detail. As a result, any trauma that occurred there can be examined more thoroughly by them.
- If left unchecked, a scratch on a dog's eye can turn into a serious infection and put the dog's quality of vision at risk in the long term. For example, even if a corneal ulcer only affects the clear layer on the surface of the eye, it can spread to the inside of the eye and affect the dog's quality of vision if not treated immediately.
Step 3. Apply a special ointment or drops to the dog's eyes
In most cases of minor lacerations, your veterinarian will prescribe drops or ointments to apply directly to the eye. These medications can help heal the injury and prevent the infection from reoccurring. Generally, the first dose will be given by the doctor, while the next doses you can give at home according to the advice given by the doctor.
The frequency and duration of drug administration is very dependent on the severity of the wound and the type of drug prescribed by the doctor. Therefore, always follow the advice given by the doctor and don't hesitate to contact the doctor if you have any questions you want to ask
Step 4. Consider a more invasive treatment method
If the intensity of the damage to the dog's eyes is getting worse, the doctor will most likely recommend a surgical procedure to treat it. For example, in cases of severe corneal ulcers, some doctors recommend a corneal transplant or grafting procedure to save the dog's quality of vision.
As with any other surgical procedure, the dog's health is of course at stake while under sedation. Therefore, make sure the doctor has examined the dog's condition thoroughly and ensured that the dog's condition is indeed good enough to be busted and operated on. Generally, the procedure performed includes a physical and blood examination to identify the presence or absence of risk factors and health problems that may affect the outcome of the surgery
Step 5. Continue to monitor the condition of the injury
After treatment, continue to monitor the dog's condition to observe the recovery process. In particular, make sure the dog's condition is getting better, not worse, which is characterized by a decrease in redness, intensity of pus, and other symptoms that make the dog feel uncomfortable.
- If your dog is constantly touching or scratching at the wound, try placing a mouthpiece to protect the wound on its head to combat the problem.
- If your dog's injury gets worse, such as when it becomes infected, take him to the vet immediately! Tell the new symptoms that appear, if any, and ask whether or not the dog should be brought back to the doctor within a certain time.
Part 2 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms
Step 1. Watch out for dogs that are constantly blinking or furrowing their eyes
If you have a minor eye injury, your dog will likely blink or squint constantly to deal with the discomfort. If your dog is behaving this way, it's likely that he has a scratch on his eye.
Constantly blinking or frowning can also indicate other problems, such as when a foreign object gets into your dog's eye but is relatively easy to clean
Step 2. Watch for symptoms of pain and irritation
If your dog is constantly touching his eyes or rubbing them on the ground, it's likely that the area is seriously injured. Specifically, the behavior indicates that the dog is trying to deal with the discomfort that arises in the area.
- Scratching or rubbing your eyes is a symptom to watch out for, but it doesn't necessarily indicate a scratch is there. In some cases, this behavior is also a symptom of another eye disease, such as glaucoma.
- Prevent your dog from rubbing or scratching his eyes, as this could exacerbate the damage. If you have a mouthpiece to attach to your dog's head, feel free to use it. If not, cover the dog's eye with a bandage and always monitor the dog to make sure he doesn't touch the area until he's checked by a doctor.
Step 3. Check the dog's eyes
Observe the dog's eyes for the presence of foreign objects that make him uncomfortable. Hold the dog's head firmly, then open its eyes to observe its condition. If you find a scratch that is deep enough, reddish color, or fluid that comes out of it, immediately take your dog to the doctor for further examination.
- Chances are, you'll need to shine a light on your dog's eyes to make it clear that there is a scratch on the surface.
- If necessary, ask someone else to hold the dog's body while you examine his eyes, especially if you need to open your dog's eyelids to get a better feel for the condition.
Step 4. Clean the dog's eyes
If you see a foreign object in or around your dog's eyes, clean it immediately with the help of a special eye medication for dogs. Meanwhile, if you suspect a foreign object in your dog's eye that is, unfortunately, invisible, keep cleaning the area with eye drops to remove the irritant in it.
- Hold the dog firmly and wipe his eyes several times. If necessary, ask someone else to hold the dog's body while you clean his eyes.
- It's best not to use tweezers to pick up dirt in your dog's eyes. Doing so risks exacerbating the injury if the dog moves while the tip of the tweezers is near his eyeball.
