Warning signs
- Very red or swollen eye
- Eye visibly protruding from the socket
- Abundant or abnormally coloured discharge
- The dog scratches the eye with a paw or on the floor
- Eye closed or half-closed with difficulty opening it
What to do immediately
- 1Keep the dog calm and prevent it from scratching the eye
- 2If an eye has left the orbit: cover gently with a moist gauze and go to the vet immediately
- 3Gently clean discharge with sterile moist gauze
- 4Get to the veterinarian without delay
What NOT to do
- Do not use human eye drops or unprescribed medicines
- Do not touch or manipulate the eye with fingers
- Do not force the eye open or closed
- Do not wait to see if it improves on its own in case of trauma
Call the vet immediately if
- Eye displaced from orbit — immediate emergency
- Visible trauma to the eye
- Sudden loss or reduction in vision
- Very rapid swelling accompanied by pain