In this article on our site we are going to talk about a situation that may constitute an emergency and, therefore, will require immediate veterinary attention. We will explain, below, what to do if our dog has blood in the eye Bleeding in such a sensitive organ is always cause for alarm, so we are going to see what can cause it, to try to avoid it, and what is the most appropriate treatment. We will also see how to distinguish between a minor injury and a serious one, which will require the intervention of a veterinarian.
Why does my dog have blood in his eye?
The eyes are organs susceptible to trauma for different causes, such as the following:
- Blows to the head which can be caused by playing, jumping or being run over.
- Contact with bushes or any vegetable or sharp object capable of causing perforations upon impact or remaining lodged inside the eye.
- Scratches or similar injuries that can be caused during play with peers or in interactions with other animals. Cat scratches are common.
- A dog with an eye condition or a foreign body in the eye can cause injury if it scratches or rubs against objects.
- If the eyes come into contact with irritating substances injuries of various kinds will also appear.
These wounds may explain why our dog has blood in his eye. Younger dogs are more prone to these accidents because they are more playful, control the environment less, or have less experience in relationships with other animals.
The severity of eye injuries in dogs
If we notice that our dog has blood in the eye, the first thing we should do is remain calm and try to examine it To do this, we must hold his head firmly but gently and, surrounding the damaged eye with our hands, we will use both thumbs to separate the eyelids and, thus, be able to examine the eye inside and out. If the dog has a bloody eye we can wash it first with saline solution or water, which we will apply directly by jet. For more details, see the following article: "How to treat a wound in my dog's eye".
If the dog is very nervous we should seek help, since sudden movements could aggravate the injury. If we see a foreign body, we can try to remove it with the help of gauze, as long as it is not stuck, in which case we will have to go to the vet. If we are able to see a wound and it is on the eyelids without affecting the integrity of the eyeball, we can clean it with serum and observe. If the dog is injured when trying to scratch with its paws, we can use an Elizabethan collar to prevent it. If we notice a worsening, we should consult our veterinarian in case it is necessary to treat with a drug.
Due to the proximity of the eye we cannot use the same products as for the rest of the body, as they could cause irritation. The serious injuries, in which we can observe a eye effusion, that is, a hemorrhage inside the dog's eye, or an alteration of its usual morphology constitute an emergency that must be treated immediately by our veterinarian.
Dislocation of the eyeball in dogs
In the most serious cases, the fact that the dog has blood in the eye hides the luxation or protrusion of the eyeball, which you want say that the eye is out of its socket. This problem is more common in dogs with bulging eyes such as pugs or French bulldogs. Hits and bites are usually responsible. This is a veterinary emergency
For the transfer to the clinic it is very important that we keep the dog very calm because the struggles can cause the eye to protrude even more and the eyelids close behind. The longer it takes to seek assistance, the more difficult it will be to return the eye to its correct position, hence the importance of this attention being immediate. We can soak a cloth or gauze in saline solution or water to cover the eye and prevent the dog from touching during the transfer.
Treatment and prevention of eye injuries in dogs
As we have seen, if our dog has blood in the eye, the treatment will depend on the severity of the injury. As general measures we can highlight the following:
- Clean, examine and go to the vet if the wound is inside the eye, its morphology has changed or the bleeding is profuse.
- Prevent the dog from touching, even using an Elizabethan collar.
- Apply the medications prescribed by the vet.
- Keep the dog in a safe environment, away from irritating substances.
- Control it in interactions with other animals.
- Walk it on the leash to avoid being run over or getting into areas of dense vegetation.
