What Kind Of Eye Conditions Are There
Eye conditions are a result of bacteria, fungi, or viruses that penetrate the eyeball or eyelids. Eye issues are broken down into two categories issues in the clear front of the eye and issues in the thin layer lining the eye and eyelids . An eye condition in a cat can signify several different things.
Typically, eye conditions and eye discharge are caused by feline upper respiratory problems. Pink eye, is also a common culprit. Conditions can be caused by bacteria or viruses and may indicate a secondary ailment connected to something much larger.
Treating Dog Eye Infections At Home
You can provide supportive care at home to help with your pets comfort level.
Home remedies such as non-medicated sterile saline rinses can flush the eye but are only a short-term solution if your dog already has an infection. Saline rinses are a good idea if youre seeing just a little clear discharge and a little redness. Its important not to use human eye drops or medications as dogs can have adverse reactions to these human medications.
I recommend either Tomlyn Sterile Eye Wash for Dogs and Cats or Nutri-Vet Eye Rinse Liquid for Dogs when flushing a dogs eye at home. Be sure to use a clean cotton ball after rinsing to catch and wipe the drainage. Refrain from touching the eye with the nozzle tip, your hands, or the cotton ball.
Nutri-Vet Eye Rinse For Dogs
This eye solution for dogs is made with boric acid to gently reduce eye irritations and flush out debris.
You can also use a warm, moist towel to gently clean discharge from the corners of your dogs eyes and facial area.
If youve eliminated the possibility of eye infections in your dog but dont like the unsightly tear staining thats a normal part of eye discharge, you can give your dog Angels chews to minimize the staining on the face.
What About Viral Eye Infections
Canine distemper virus can cause a viral eye infection. Viral infections are usually self-limiting unless accompanied by a secondary bacterial infection.
As a dog owner, you dont need to be worried about viral infections if you get your dog regularly vaccinated. Viral infections in the eye can look like bacterial infections eventually, but with viral infections, you might notice other additional signs also such as lethargy, nasal discharge, and a fever.
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How To Treat Scratched Eyes In Dogs
The best way to treat a dogs scratched eye is to take him to the veterinarian. I know its financially and in all other ways a pain, but its important to take care of your dogs eye scratch the right way. Like I said, I waited for three days before taking Georgie to the vet. I regretted it but thankfully, she didnt lose her eye or eyesight. I dont thinkbecause how would I know?
Spotting Injuries To The Eyes
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Treating A Dog Scratched By Cat
My dog was scratched by our new roommate’s cat. They seemed to coexist unless the animals get too close together. The cat scratched my Pomeranian under her eye and it was bleeding. The eye itself doesn’t look damaged, but under her eye bled a lot. I’m doing a saltine rinse on the wound a couple times a day to prevent infection. I also have no money to take her to a vet :.
I do not know what a saltine rinse is? If you mean saline, rinsing will not prevent an infection and bleeding “alot” is a bad sign!
You must find the money to take your dog to a vet immediately to check on the eye. You state the eye does not look damaged, however, you are not a vet and, I assume, have no medical training. Something happened as your dog bled “alot”. Any delay can further damage the injured area and may cost more in the long run.
Pets are like people, they need proper veterinary check ups, vaccines, proper diet, and illnesses and accidents happen. If you are not able to afford veterinary care, you should not have a pet.
If everyone who couldn’t afford huge vet bills, there wouldn’t be many pets. Sometimes just LOVE is enough.
You mean saline. Anyway, that’s a good start. But now it needs to scab over and heal. Start using triple antibiotic ointment on the scratch and in the eye. As long as the eye looks clear and nothing gets red, swells up, etc. it will probably be okay.
Let your roommate know he needs to trim his cat’s claws.
How Long Does It Take For A Scratch On A Dogs Eye To Heal
This depends on how bad the scratch was. Most are very small and could heal within a few days to a week with appropriate medications like antibiotic eye drops. However, in rare cases, a dogs eye can become punctured during a fight, or even for the cats claw to be shed and remain stuck in the eye itself. This is more serious and may even need advice from a veterinary ophthalmologist . Deeper wounds may cause permanent scarring or damage, particularly in young puppies.
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How To Stop Your Cat From Attacking Your Dog
If its your own cat that frequently attacks your dog, you may want to take some steps to protect both of them. Make sure your cat has escape routes from the dog and areas in the house that it can retreat to. Stair gates can be useful for this or cat flaps in doors. Make sure your cats food, water, and litter trays are out of the reach of your dog to avoid areas of conflict. Puppies are more at risk of getting scratched as they havent learned proper social cues yet and arent very good at blinking to protect their eyes from danger.
If your cat is generally stressed, then a plug-in calming pheromone diffuser can be useful. You may want to seek advice from an animal behaviorist- your vet will be able to put you in touch with a reputable one.
Watch Your Dog For Signs Of Pain
Our veterinarian gave us painkillers for Georgie, and said to take as needed. When I asked how I know my dog is in pain because of the eye scratch, the veterinarian said dogs paw at their eyes, duck their head down, go off and sleep, and may not eat. The only thing Georgie did was paw at her eye once in awhile, but I thought that was because her eye scratch was itchy. I didnt even know veterinarians gave painkillers for cornea scratches I guess thats one of the most important ways to treat a dogs scratched eye.
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Can A Dog Get Rabies From A Cat Scratch
The risk of a dog catching rabies from a scratch is low. Rabies is a virus that is transmitted via the saliva of an infected animal, so bite wounds more commonly spread rabies. However, there is still a small chance as cats lick and groom their paws, so infected saliva residue could be present on their claws.
If your dog has had his routine rabies shots this will help reduce the risk of contracting the disease. Speak to your veterinarian urgently if you have reason to suspect that the cat attacking your dog had rabies.
What To Do If Your Cat Scratches During Play
If your cat scratches you during play, give your cat a time-out by simply removing yourself from the situation. Eventually, your cat will learn that playtime stops if they use their claws on your skin. Also, provide your cat with a variety of toys that can be used to touch, bite, and scratch. These toys can be used to redirect your cat’s assertive play to something more appropriate.
In addition and this is critical do not use your hands as toys. As kittens, this can be seen as endearing, but as a cat grows, their claws and teeth can cause some serious damage. Reserve your hands for only things like petting, holding, and carrying.
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Other Risks Associated With Cat Scratches
According to Mahaney, one of the most serious risks associated with cat scratches is cat-scratch disease , also referred to as cat-scratch fever. Cat-scratch disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Bartonella, Mahaney describes. The bacteria is transmitted to cats from the bite of an infected flea . Humans can contract CSD from the bite or scratch of a Bartonella-infected cat or if the cat licks a persons wounds.
Flea feces containing Bartonella can end up under a cats nails, Mahaney explains, and be transmitted when a scratch occurs. Once Bartonella infects a cat, it will circulate throughout the body via the bloodstream and end up in the saliva, and can be transmitted via a bite as well.
The symptoms of cat-scratch disease can manifest about three to 14 days after an infected cat bites or scratches a person hard enough to break the skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to showing signs of infection at the site of the wound, a person with cat-scratch disease may also experience fever, fatigue, and decreased appetite.
In humans, CSD can cause pain and redness at the scratch site, , local lymph node swelling, and fever, Mahaney says.
An estimated 12,000 people are diagnosed with cat-scratch each year, and 500 are hospitalized, the CDC reports. According to Mahaney, if untreated, CSD can cause enlargement of the spleen, thickening of the heart valve, encephalitis , and other ailments.
Minimizing Injury From Cat Scratches
Trim your cats nails on a regular basis to minimize injury. I recommend trimming them every 12 weeks. Not only does keeping those claws trimmed make the rogue attacks less painful for the recipient, but it also helps maintain the integrity of your furniture and other household items.
Until your cat becomes accustomed to having their nails handled and trimmed, as well as not scratching you in play, it may be worthwhile to equip yourself with some clothing armor to avoid injury, like long sleeves and pants.
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What Is Cat Scratch Fever
When a dog is bitten by fleas, sand flies, or lice, bacteria enters the blood and results in cat scratch fever. Bartonella will invade and damage cells, causing your companion to become ill. If your dog appears to be suffering from malaise and is lethargic or depressed, you may want to take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Weight loss and appetite reduction may be apparent as well, though some dogs may not reveal the clinical signs associated with this condition. Because of this, any small sign of your pet being unwell means a veterinarian visit is necessary. An illness, even though it may seem mild, can escalate and lead to serious complications for your pet.
Dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors, who live in rural areas, or who like to roam in fields or along the waters edge can be exposed to sand flies, ticks, fleas and lice on a regular basis.
Dogs are infected by the Bartonella spp bacteria through fleas, ticks, lice and sand flies. This zoonotic disease can be transmitted from dog to pet owner.
Signs Of Eye Injuries In Dogs
If your dog is experiencing an eye injury it will be both painful and irritating. To prevent your dog’s eye injury from become more severe it is important to take your dog to the vet if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- General discomfort
- Twitching or spasming of the eyelid
- Inability to close eye properly
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Can Corneal Ulcers Be Treated At Home
If you start to observe any of the signs or symptoms mentioned above, its always best to bring your pet to your veterinarian immediately for a proper and thorough exam. If you suspect that the eye injury could have resulted in a corneal abrasion or ulceration, you can do the following as a first-aid treatment before or en route to a veterinary hospital.
- If able, rinse the affected eye with warm, distilled water to remove any possible foreign object that may have been lodged in your pets eye and caused the injury.
- Make your pet wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent any further injury or damage to their eyes.
- Check the entire body for any signs of other possible wounds or injuries.
- DO NOT attempt to use any eye drops you have at home without a vets prescription or recommendation.
What If Something Is Stuck In My Dogs Eye
Removing a foreign body from your dogs eye may have some risks involved.
If you can see that its easily removable without causing your pet any additional pain or further injury, for example, a loose hair, then this is fine for you to remove. If the object is something larger and potentially injurious, removal may require special tools or sedation, which should be done at the vets office.
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Eye Scratches Are Extremely Painful For Dogs
This is important to remember, because you dog cant tell you that a cornea scratch really really hurts! Ive never scratched my eye, but the veterinarian said that dog eye scratches are terribly painful. How do you treat a painful eye scratch? Take your dog to the veterinarian for painkillers. Dont give your dog baby aspirin or other painkillers unless you are 100% sure its safe.
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Will A Cats Eye Injury Heal On Its Own
The eye is an amazing organ. So, yes, some minor injuries will heal on their own. By minor, I mean eyelid injuries that dont create a torn flap and minor corneal abrasions. But be aware that minor corneal abrasions can turn to corneal ulcers and corneal ulcers can turn to perforations that can drain and permanently damage the eye. These injuries may also contract an infection that delays or completely stop healing if left untreated as well.
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Cat Scratches Can Do Damage
Having multiple cats in a single household can come with the occasional spat or friendly wrestling match. Whether cats are playing or fighting, they might bite or scratch at one another, and this means that the claws might come out.
During fights, especially, cats have a tendency to scratch at each others faces. This often leads to scratches of the eyes or, in more serious cases, perforations or punctures. Young kittens that dont quite understand how to protect themselves or move with caution may also scratch or be scratched in the eye more often.
Unfortunately, eye injuries caused by cat scratches can vary somewhat significantly in their severity. The cornea and the sclera are most often affected in these situations, but every injury is different.
Simple injuries might affect only the cornea or sclera by either scratching or passing through the surfaces slightly. More serious injuries may occur if something enters and harms the layers of the eye beyond the cornea and sclera, such as the iris or choroid. These types of injuries pose threats to your cats vision.
Fortunately, many eye injuries resulting from a cats scratch during playtime or a fight will be simple and affect only the outermost layers of the eye. Even still, these injuries will need to be examined and treated in accordance to how large or deep they are.
Can A Cat Scratch Blind A Dog
A scratched cornea can possibly lead to blindness, but the final outcome depends on several factors, including the extent of the initial damage. Shallow scratches typically heal without permanent damage to your dogs eye, especially if your dog is young. Deep scratches, however, can turn into corneal ulcers.
How do I know if my dogs eye injury is serious?
Excessive tears or pus could be the sign of an eye injury or problem. In some of the more extreme cases, the eye may not leak in the typical tear ducts, but leaks could appear on the inside of the cornea. If you notice that blood has pooled up on the inside of your dogs eye, the condition is known as hyphema.
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