Eyes are sensitive, and small-looking changes can be painful. Redness, squinting, cloudiness, discharge, rubbing, swelling, a changed pupil or a pet avoiding light should not be left for too long.
Some eye problems are mild and settle with the right treatment. Others, such as corneal ulcers, glaucoma, trauma or deeper inflammation, can threaten comfort or vision if care is delayed.
Pets may show eye pain by squinting, blinking, rubbing, pawing, hiding, becoming quieter, avoiding bright light or holding the eye partly closed. They may still eat and behave fairly normally, especially early on.
Because the eye surface is delicate, rubbing and waiting can make some injuries worse. A prompt check gives us a better chance of protecting comfort and vision.
We need to know whether the problem is on the surface of the eye, inside the eye, around the eyelids, related to tear production, linked with infection or inflammation, or caused by trauma or another disease.
Testing may include staining the cornea, checking tear production, assessing the eyelids and pupils, looking for foreign material, and deciding whether pressure testing or referral discussion is needed.
Eye conditions can look better before they are fully healed, and some can worsen even with treatment. Rechecks are how we confirm an ulcer is healing, medication is appropriate and no new complication has appeared.
If drops are hard to give, tell us early. Missed or inconsistent eye medication can change the outcome, but forcing treatment can also make future care much harder.
Start here when an eye looks red, irritated, swollen or different from normal.
Useful when a pet is holding an eye closed, rubbing, blinking hard or avoiding light.
Why cloudiness or bumping into things should be checked.
Helpful when wet fur, mucus, pus or tear staining keeps returning.
Use this when there may be a scratch, grass seed, trauma or sudden painful eye.
Guidance for eye drops, rechecks and changing treatment plans.
Eye signs that should be checked promptly rather than watched at home.
What common eye tests tell us and why they change treatment decisions.
How cloudy lenses and vision changes are assessed in dogs and cats.
Seek prompt advice if your pet is squinting, holding the eye closed, the eye looks cloudy or blue, there has been trauma, the pupil looks abnormal, vision seems changed, or discharge is thick or worsening.
Do not use leftover eye medication without checking first. Some drops are unsafe for certain eye injuries, especially if the cornea is damaged.
If your pet's eye looks red, sore, cloudy, injured or different from normal, contact us so we can help decide how soon they need to be seen.
Practical help if eye drops, ear drops or skin treatments are difficult to give.
Eye pain and fear can make handling difficult, so calm care matters.
Use this if an eye injury is severe, painful or associated with sudden vision change.
