Cat Eye Injury

A cat eye injuring can occur in many ways, including animal fights, bite wounds, falls, scratches from branches, sticks or wire, or automobile accidents. The injury can be to the eye globe (eyeball), the surface of the eye (cornea), or the eyelid. It can also be to the area around the eye. The bones around the eye may be broken. A foreign object may be lodged in the eye. Or, the eyeball may be out of the socket.

If you would like to consult with a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists check the list provided by the ACVO. This list is a great source if you would like to receive a second opinion from a specialist.

The key to treating eye injury is fast veterinary treatment.

Cat Eye Injury Symptoms

Symptoms of a cat eye injury will vary depending on the type and location of the injury. Symptoms may include redness or cloudiness of the eye, blinking, squinting, a closed eye, tearing, bleeding from the eye or around the eye, and pawing at the eye.

If your cat has an eye injury, she needs to go to the vet. Prompt treatment may save her vision.

Cat Eye Injury Diagnosis and Treatment

If your cat has an eye injury, prompt action on your part may save her vision. Most cats will want to scratch the eye so if you have an E-Collar us it to prevent this behavior. They are those big collars that make your cat look like a satellite dish. They can also be used to prevent your cat from licking wounds on her lower body if needed.

If she shows symptoms of a cat eye injury, look in the affected eye and see if you can see any foreign object. If so, flush the eye with water or preferably a sterile saline solution to remove the object. If you are unable to remove the object or if she continues to show symptoms of injury, take her to the vet.

If your cat's eye is bleeding, place a clean moist cloth over the eye and transport her to the vet right away. Don't apply too much pressure on the eye, as that may cause further injury.

If the eyeball is out of the socket, keep it moist with sterile saline solution or as a second choice water. Only use something like Visine or contact lens cleaning solution if it is specifically recommended by your veterinarian.

Scratches to the eye will often heal up on their own unless they are deep like from a cat claw. Medicated eye drops may be prescribed to prevent or treat infection.

More serious injuries may require surgery or removal of the eye. In such cases, the eyelids are then sutured permanently closed. Ask your veterinarian if it makes sense to get a second opinion.

Treatment for Minor Scratches or Redness

If your cat frequently suffers from minor scratches or the eye is frequently red with no mucus, you might want to consider natural eye drops to support eye health. PetAlive Eye-Heal is made specifically for these occasions and is worth researching or discussing with your veterinarian.

Sources

Animal Eye Care

 

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