One of the most frightening things for a dog owner to deal with is an eye injury or head injury to their dog that has affected the eye area. This is a very sensitive area for the dog and is easily hurt and irritated, just as it is for humans. Eye injuries can be very serious for dogs since they really have no understanding of the need to protect their vision. For this reason, first aid for dogs can literally be a lifesaver in such moments. Understanding how to assess the problem and provide some basic first aid until the dog can be seen by a vet is critical in both staying calm and hopefully protecting as much of the dog's vision as possible.
Many eye injuries are caused by irritations in the eye that are either from the dog's hair or eyelashes or from foreign materials getting into the eye itself. These foreign objects can be pieces of grass or vegetation or even more serious issues such as glass, metal shards, splinters or virtually any other type of object or debris. When dealing with eye injuries it is important to be able to assess the injury and take appropriate first aid measures as quickly as possible.
First aid for dogs with eye injuries must be carried out very gently as the eye area is very delicate. Consequently, many dog owners often perform it incorrectly resulting in more harm despite their good intentions. It is essential that dog owners know how to properly administer first aid around a dog's eye area to avoid making the injury even worse than it would have been.
Eye injuries have the best chance of healing and preserving the dog's sight if treated within 12 hours of the injury. Some eye injures or irritations are very minor at first and only become really problematic if there is further damage to the area by the dog rubbing or scratching at the eye or when a bacterial infection gets into the eye area.
Typically most emergency type first aid treatments for eye injuries involve simply flushing out the eye with a commercial saline eye flush. Pet stores do sell specialty products for dogs but in an emergency, any eye flush solution will do. Do not use tap water unless there is absolutely nothing else available. Water from lakes, streams or other natural sources is also not a good idea as it can contain bacteria that can lead to further infections, but if there is nothing else available and you can see foreign debris in the eye you may not have any choice. Adding a small bottle of saline solution for eyes in your pet first aid kit is a simple and easy way to handle this potential problem.
After any foreign loose material is flushed from the eye it is important to cover the eye if there is any signs of cuts, irritations or abrasions. Sometimes the third eyelid is partially across the eye or may be swollen and protruding. It is very important to keep the area moist and clean, so applying a piece of damp sterile lint free dressing is very important. This can be lightly taped to the area to keep the eye covered on the trip to the vet, but no significant pressure should be placed on the eye. Any signs of bleeding from the eye should be considered a very high priority emergency and immediate vet assistance sought.
Since eye injuries can potentially lead to corneal ulcers and lesions on the eye, even the slightest signs of irritation, tearing up, squinting or avoiding light should be immediately check by a vet. In some injuries and chronic conditions of the eye your regular vet may make a referral to a specialised veterinary ophthalmologist that works specifically on treating eye injuries and conditions. Often a simple piece of grass, bit of dirt or even a hair can be the cause of the original irritation that has then led to a very serious and potentially blinding swelling and lesion or ulcer of the eye.
However, some situations are not quite as serious and can use some first aid. For example, if your dog gets a black eye due to some type of accident, you can apply a cold cloth or compress to decrease the swelling. This can help prevent the injury from further affecting your dog's overall vision. This is the type of first aid for dogs that is sufficient yet not harmful to your dog's future eyesight!