I was informed by SUGAR’s vet that a dog eye injury is very common. Ocular trauma, known as dog eye trauma, can be painful and can eventually affect your dog’s vision if left untreated.
The cause of SUGAR’s recent left eye injury is unknown. We are glad that our AAHA vet is open 24/7 and an emergency vet visit on Sunday did not cost us an enormous amount.
Dog Eye Injury Requires An Emergency Vet Visit
SUGAR was squinting a lot and kept on pawing her left eye. She’s typically up early and would lay down on the kitchen floor. It was odd for her to stay in bed and not “woof” for her morning meal.
Symptoms: Dog Eye Injuries
Squinting (unusual Wink)
Rapid blinking
‘Pawing” at the eye
Unable to open eye
Discomfort
Watery eye discharge
Bloody or bloodshot eyes
Cloudiness or change in eye color
Bothered by bright light
Diagnosis from Fluorescein Stain Test
To see what’s inside SUGAR’s eye, the vet conducted a fluorescein eye stain test. This test can help detect corneal abrasion.
A drop of the stain is placed on the dog’s eye and sticks to any injured areas. Then, under a fluorescent light, it shows up as bright green which equates to the significance of the abrasion or scratch.
Watch on our Facebook page, a short video of SUGAR’s fluorescein eye stain test.
Treatment: Eye Drops and Cone of Shame
According to SUGAR’s vet, her eye injury should heal in 5 days. To aid in the healing process, antibiotic drops are applied 3-4 times/day. To avoid additional abrasion, SUGAR needs to wear an Elizabethan collar, E-Collar, or pet cone and also known as the cone of shame. Wearing an e-collar is a must to avoid potential eye irritation.
Follow-up Treatment
SUGAR’s left eye injury is healing well. In just two days, she’s able to keep her left eye open. This weekend, SUGAR is due to a follow-up vet visit. Her vet will perform the fluorescein stain test again and check if the scratch is healing properly.
A dog eye injury can occur at any time. Be a proactive dog parent. No matter how your dog’s eye injury may appear, you should get your vet to have a quick look.
Aww…sweet Sugar <3 We love your beautiful eyes and wishing you the fast and perfect recovery! 🙂
Hope your eye is all better soon!
I notice with Wilson (now 13 1/2) that his vision isn’t quite as good. He has the start of cataracts and as a result doesn’t always judge distance as well. This means that occasionally on walks, while sniffing, he pokes his eyes on grass, etc. I could easily see an injury occiurring this way.
I hope it heals up quickly and without problems… hugs and POTP to you Sugar
Hopefully she will be healed up soon!
Woofs from the Princess!
Monty, Harlow, and Ramble
Dr. Mar over at So Cal veterinary specialty hospital in Irvine is awesome too. That’s where we go
Feel better friend
Lily & Edward
Sugar, we are sorry you have eye troubles and hope it improves quickly!
Oh poor Sugar! That sounds do uncomfortable. I’m just glad it was nothing too serious. Rest up, sorry you have to wear the cone.
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Quick and excellent care is a great thing. Feel better soon sweet friend.
We know Sugar is getting the best of care and lots of love. We will keep our paws crossed for continued healing.
Woos – Lightning and Misty
They used the same test with Mabel last year when she had her eye injury. Glad you are feeling better Sugar
hugs
Mr Bailey Hazel & Mabel
We hope the doctor sees lots of improvement at your next visit Sugar..Bilbo knows corneal scratches are no fun!!
Poor Sugar. Sadly, I’m pretty familiar with these eye issues. Pugs and Boston terriers, with their big eyes and short muzzles, are prone to eye scratches and scrapes. I’m glad Sugar is on the mend!
Jean from Welcome to the Menagerie
Awe,sorry you hurt your eye.
Good Morning Miss Sugar… I am so sorry that your left eye is bothering you. Hope it is better each and every day. Hugs and Smoochies, Marni and her Rudy…
Aw, poor Sugar. I’ve occasionally poked myself in the eye or scratched my eye with a contact lens and it’s very uncomfortable. I can only imagine how uncomfortable your injury must be for you. Bless your heart. I’m glad the drops are helping to heal your eye and hope it heals completely very soon! Hugs, kisses, and POTP from all of us.
Feel better Sugar!! If you are concerned, consider taking Sugar to a veterinary eye specialist. There are a couple very close to my house in the San Fernando Valley. I’m sure there are some near you too. I recently took my Havanese to one of the eye specialists–I liked her, she was very thorough, and accurately diagnosed and treated my pup’s eye isssue.
Sugar,
Wishing you a speedy recovery. Tell mom I appreciate her sharing the sign of ocular trauma with us!
Woof and hugs.
Andrea + the Pawz Team
That cone is always miserable for them. I’m glad his eye healed right. Thanks for sharing your story.