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The eyes of our cats and dogs are susceptible to many forms of injury. Some of those injuries are preventable.
Cause and Incidence
Truck Beds and Car Windows
The most common preventable source of eye injuries in dogs is riding free in pickup beds and allowing them to ride with their face out of car windows. Approximately 100,000 dogs each year die from being tossed from pickup beds. Those that are not thrown are at high risk of eye injury from airbone debris or insects. Pre-existing eye diseases such as corneal ulceration can be aggravated by exposure to wind and drying of the eye. For these and other reasons, many states including California, Florida, Washington, Maine, and Oregon have passed laws restricting transporting dogs in pickup beds.
Cat Claws and Dog Bites
Cats that are allowed to roam and puppies that are meeting cats for the first time are at high risk for cat claw injuries of the eye. Cats have retractable claws that they will extend and use to strike directly at the eye if they feel endangered or persistently harassed.
High Velocity Projectiles
HVPs such as gun pellets and arrows endanger eyes of dogs or cats through unintentional or malicious acts.
Plant Thorns or Needles
Roses, cacti, hawthorns, Russian olives, and other plants with thorns or needles pose a risk to dog eyes when dogs are allowed to run or play near the them.
Signs
The signs of injury can vary greatly, but most cause sudden squinting and tearing. Whining or yelping and rubbing the eye may also occur. In some cases, blood from the eye and/or severe swelling around the eye may be noticed.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to access the degree of eye injury due to pain and the natural tendency to provide the eye against further injury. Your veterinarian can provide pain relief and has the expertise and equipment needed to diagnose the extent of injury and provide the necessary care.
Treatment
Treatments vary with the type and extent of the injury.
Prevention Measures Do not let your dog ride in the bed of a pickup or stick its head outside car windows If your dog must be exposure to wind while riding in or on a moving vehicle, consider using a strapped down crate that aids in blocking the wind or goggles for your dog Declaw cats on the front paws Do not allow cats to roam Use judicious care in introducing cats to strange dogs or cats Never shoot or allow others to shoot pellet, BB, or other guns or arrows near the vicinity of dogs or cats Prevent dogs access to flower gardens or brush areas with plants that have thorns
For more information, contact your local veterinarian or the MU Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital 573-882-7821 or visit http://www.vmth.missouri.edu
C.B. Chastain, DVM
Professor, University of Missouri
College of Veterinary Medicine
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