Dogs eye was scratched by our house cat

Question

I'm freaking out a bit and could really use some advice. My dog, Max, got his eye scratched by our cat, Whiskers, earlier today. I was in the kitchen making dinner when I heard this loud yelp from Max. I rushed over and saw him pawing at his face while Whiskers was darting off, looking guilty. I managed to get Max to sit still for a moment, and his left eye looked really red and swollen. I'm worried because he keeps rubbing at it with his paw. I tried calling our vet, but they can’t see us until tomorrow morning, and I don’t want to make it worse by doing something wrong tonight. Has anyone dealt with this kind of situation before? Would rinsing it with some saline solution help, or should I just focus on trying to keep him calm until the vet can take a look? I’m feeling super anxious, and any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Dial A Vet · Accepted Answer

Hi there! I’m sorry to hear about your pup's scratched eye; that must be concerning for both you and your furry friend. When a dog's eye is scratched, it can lead to discomfort, redness, or watering. Sometimes, it may even cause your dog to keep their eye closed to protect it from further irritation.

A cat scratch can cause an abrasion on the outer layer of the eye called the cornea. The good news is many minor scratches can heal on their own with time. You can help by gently rinsing your dog’s eye with a sterile saline solution, available at most pharmacies, to remove any debris that might have gotten in. Make sure your dog doesn’t rub or scratch at their eye, as this can make things worse.

However, keep an eye out for signs like excessive redness, swelling, discharge, or if your dog seems in significant pain or keeps the eye tightly shut. These might indicate a more serious issue like an infection or a deeper injury, which would need veterinary care.

I’d recommend scheduling a video consult with us at Dial A Vet to provide your dog with a more tailored assessment and care plan. We're here to help and ensure your pet stays comfortable and healthy!

Dogs eye was scratched by our house cat

Answer

Embark Breed + Health Dog DNA Test