Dogs explore their environments differently than people do. They put their noses to the ground, sniff around, and dig in the yard. So, their faces (and eyes) get close to some dangerous sharp objects or floating particles.
A dog’s eyes get exposed to many particles, objects, and substances in the environment. It’s only natural that something will get stuck in their eyes at some point in their lives. In most cases, it’s easy to get it out of your dog’s eye; in others, you might need to take your dog to the vet.
But before you do that, you can apply some basic first aid methods to help get rid of the irritating object.
Signs that Your Dog Has Something Stuck in the Eye
Sometimes it’s easy to see what is in your dog’s eye. Other times it may not be as obvious. You might not be sure whether there actually is something in your dog’s eye. How would you know? Well, the simple answer is that you know your dog and should be able to see the signs quickly.
The signs showing that your dog has something stuck in an eye are:
- Winking and squinting the eyes more than usual
- Excessive teariness
- Other discharges, like pus, coming from the eye
- Red and swollen eyelids
- Scratching or pawing at the affected eye
- The white of the eye looks red
- Your dog seems sensitive to light all of a sudden
- The eyeball looks swollen
- Your dog appears uncomfortable and even lethargic
- You can visibly see that there is a foreign body stuck in the eye
Once you’re sure an object is in your dog’s eyes, you can start with the home first aid steps below.
What to Do if There is Something in Your Dog’s Eye: First Aid Tips
Sometimes you’ll be able to get the foreign body dislodged out of your dog’s eye with a few simple steps. You’ll need a few things to get started, so make sure you grab those and begin with your first aid mission.
Here’s what you’ll need to get that foreign object dislodged from your dog’s eye:
- Sterile water: If you don’t have clean water at hand, you can use regular tap water. However, tap water might burn your dog’s eyes more than sterile water. That’s because it contains more minerals, like chloride. So, it might be a bit more uncomfortable for your dog.
- A syringe: You can buy a syringe at your local pharmacy or drug store. Luckily you don’t have to buy a new one each time. Just wash the syringe properly with warm water after each use and store it in a sealable bag for the next use.
- Sterile water-based eye lubricant: This is usually a gel you can buy from the vet or some pet stores. When you buy it, though, ensure that it’s water-based.
- A light source can be a flashlight, ring light, or even your phone’s flashlight. It will help you target the object more accurately.
- A cone or Elizabethan collar: You can get this item online, and it can be helpful if your dog gets other injuries. It keeps your dog from scratching the affected area.
Pro tip: it’s a good idea to have these items in your home if this situation happens again in the future. You can even use these items to get something out of a person’s eyes (not the collar, of course!)
Juan’Ri Strauss
How to Get a Foreign Object Out of Your Dog’s Eye
Now that you have all the necessary items approach your dog calmly. You don’t want to startle them because they’re probably already uncomfortable with their situations. The calmer you are, the more relaxed your dog will be, and the easier you can treat your dog.
The first aid steps of getting an object dislodged from your dog’s eye are:
1. Get the sterile water and syringe ready.
Pull some of this water into the syringe so you won’t have to do it once you get to your dog. The less time your dog has to notice what’s about to happen, the less they’ll move around, making it easier for you to get the job done.
2. Get your dog in a comfortable position.
Both you and your dog must be comfortable in this already uncomfortable situation.
3. Hold your dog’s head steady, ensuring you can easily access the affected eye.
Most dogs will find it uncomfortable having fluids pushed into their eyes. So, hold your dog’s head steady but not too tight.
4. Keep your dog’s eyelids open and slowly push the fluids into the affected eye.
Keeping the eye open with your index finger and thumb will keep your dog from blinking the water away. Then, slowly flushing the fluids into the eye will feel more comfortable for your dog. This step is usually enough to dislodge the object. Be careful not to push the syringe too hard. It may hurt your dog’s eye.
5. Try the water-based lubricant if the object is still stuck in your dog’s eye, followed by another flush.
Put a large amount of lubricant in the affected eye. Leave the gel for a minute or so to do its thing, then flush the eye again with sterile water (like steps 1-4). The gel-like consistency can help move the object from its position and eliminate it.
6. Use the flashlight to see if the object is out of your dog’s eye.
Shine the light at an angle toward your dog’s eye, not directly in the eye, as it can be uncomfortable. Then, look for any foreign bodies. If you can’t find any, the chances are that you got the object out in the process. If there is still something stuck, follow the flushing steps again. Please don’t do it more than twice, though, as it can irritate your dog’s eye even more.
7. If you’ve managed to get the item out, give your dog a treat for being a good patient.
It’s not a pleasant experience for you or your dog. But, if you reward your dog afterward for cooperating, the more eager they will be to cooperate in the future.
8. Put the Elizabethan collar on your dog if the object is still stuck.
This collar will help prevent your dog from pawing or scratching at the irritant, which helps prevent unnecessary eye damage. The more your dog scratches at the eye, the more damage the stuck object can do.
9. If, after 24 hours, you still see the item is in your dog’s eye, call your vet.
At this point, you might need medical intervention to help get rid of this pesky particle. It won’t necessarily mean the operating theatre, but some topical analgesics might be what your dog needs to help get the object out.
What to Do If Your Dog Can’t Open One Eye And You Think Something got Stuck in It
Okay, so you know the first aid steps now, but what if your dog doesn’t want to open the affected eye? And what if you can’t gently open it with your fingers? Well, then you have a bit more of a severe problem on your hands.
If you suspect your dog has something stuck in the eye, but they can’t open the eye, you’ll need to call your vet. It might not be a foreign body but an injury instead. And treating eye injuries requires other treatment than when you find something stuck in an eye.
You can’t know whether something is stuck if you can’t open the eye to examine it. Call your vet to be sure if your dog shows signs and you suspect a lodged foreign object. Your vet has the tools and supplies to examine the entire eye. Then they can get to the root of the cause and give the appropriate treatment.
“Vets ask questions to the dog owners to get to an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.” So, be prepared for these questions by reading the blog post linked below:
– Questions Your Vet Will Ask About Your Dog
How to Be Prepared to Treat Your Dog if They Have Something Stuck in the Eye
I’ve learned in my nursing studies that being prepared and having the correct equipment can save so much time and hysteria. So, knowing that your dog might get something stuck in the eyes occasionally and how to be prepared for the situation puts you one step ahead.
You can prepare for situations where your dog has something stuck in an eye by:
- Having the correct equipment and liquids in your first aid kit: If you have everything you need to treat your dog, you can attend to their needs quickly.
- Knowing the steps by heart: Knowing what to do in this situation can save you time and increase your confidence in how to react. You don’t necessarily have to learn these steps. But, if you write down the summary in a notebook and keep it by your doggy first-aid kit, you won’t waste time researching it all over again.
When to Call Your Vet if Your Dog Has Something Stuck in an Eye
Sometimes, you might need to (or even want to) call the vet for assistance. If you’re reading this, I know you’ll do anything to keep your fur friend out of harm’s way. So, you can call your vet if:
- If you don’t feel comfortable dislodging the item yourself. It’s perfectly normal not to want to do it yourself. I’ve been there with my first dog. I felt anxious about home first aid tips. So, if this is you, don’t worry! Going to the vet is a safe and responsible option.
- If you cannot flush the object out, especially if you’ve already tried flushing the eye. The more you attempt to flush, the more irritated your dog’s eye could get. And the longer the object is stuck, the more damage it can do to the eye.
- Suppose your dog has an item stuck in the eye for longer than 24 hours. Call your vet if you’ve decided to wait 24 hours to see if the item dislodges by itself, but it hasn’t. Allowing the object to remain stuck for longer can cause more permanent damage to your dog’s eye.
“Having a local vet clinic open 24 hours for emergencies that you can trust is key in those stressful, uncertain times.”
After Hours Emergency Clinic
The Paws Perspective
I make a point to give my dogs a once over every time we come back from a walk or anywhere that isn’t home. We don’t always know what our dogs encounter and how it might affect them.
So, giving your dog a quick examination when you get home can help you spot something (like an object stuck in the eye) much quicker. The quicker you respond to minor irritation or injury, the less lasting the effects will be in the future.
Paying a little more attention to your dog daily might mean the difference between a minor irritation and a severe festering injury! Remember, your dogs can’t speak for themselves. So, you’re their advocate and guardian.
You’re doing good, dog parent! Your fur friends and I are proud of you!