Hi there! We are sorry you are here but happy to help. Itchy, watery, red eyes can be concerning for any pet owner. And then they start to paw at their face?!?! Poor kid. Here’s what you can do.
What’s going on with your dog?
Are they squinting or seem painful?
This could be a sign of something more serious like an ulcer, increased pressure or inflammation in the eye.
Does the surface of the clear part of the eye look different?
The cornea is the clear protective layer of the eye and is at risk for injury, ulceration, and inflammation. When it is damaged, pets are painful and risk losing vision.
Are they pawing at their face?
Sometimes our pets are really overt about how they are feeling. If they are pawing, they are telling you it hurts!
Is it the whole eye or just the third eyelid?
Some breeds such as bulldogs and cocker spaniels are at risk of developing a prolapsed gland of the third eyelid (aka cherry eye). This condition is typically not painful but can lead to problems with closing the eye lids, tear production, and the gland can dry out or get infected. This may not require a visit to the vet today but should be diagnosed and addressed efficiently to lead to the best outcome.
Here’s what you can do at home...
Give the eyes a flush. Some causes of eye irritation can be effectively treated with a good sterile saline flush. You can purchase this at the drug store. You will need to hold the eye lids open when flushing and gently squeeze the solution from a 1–2-inch distance from the eye. Some dogs will not tolerate this at home! It’s also important that you DO NOT use contact solution. Many of these have additives that can be irritating.
Apply a moist, warm compress. If there is any discharge from the eye or blockage of the tear ducts, this can help to loosen things up. Test the compress on your skin first to ensure it is not too warm. Apply for no more than 10 minutes at a time.
Apply artificial tears. If the cause is dryness, applying an over-the-counter artificial tear solution 2-3 times a day can provide some relief.
Does your pet need Urgent Care?
If it’s just one minor episode, probably not today. But if it is multiple times or there are any of the serious symptoms mentioned above, yes! Remember also to trust your gut too. If you think it’s serious it probably is. Scout is here to help!
What can you expect from your visit?
Cats vomit for a multitude of reasons. Come prepared to answer some questions! The Scout team will want to know their vaccine and deworming history, normal diet and any unusual foods eaten recently, if they have housemates, if they get into the garbage or laundry and more! History taking can give your Scout veterinarian the right background information to narrow down tests and get you help more efficiently.
Many people ask if we need the vomit. Nope! If you think you will have a hard time describing it, you can always take a picture but there is no testing to be done on the vomit itself.
Your Scout veterinarian may recommend:
Bloodwork: Some of the causes of vomiting are actually outside of the gut. For example, kidney disease is a common cause of vomiting in cats. Bloodwork helps to determine the most likely cause for vomiting. It also allows the veterinarian to check electrolytes, as these can get really out of whack with vomiting.
X-rays: Is your cat a string chewer? What about pen caps? Any non-food item can cause an obstruction/blockage. If your Scout veterinarian is concerned this might be the case, x-rays will be recommended. It’s also important to know that MOST of the pets that have an obstruction/blockage have not been seen eating the non-food item!
Treatments: Your Scout veterinarian wants your pet to feel better just as much as you do! They may recommend fluids under the skin to help with dehydration, medications to directly treat the cause or symptoms and/or a specific diet to help your pet get back on track.
Follow up appointments: Most visits to Scout for vomiting won’t require a follow up appointment. However, if the vomiting does not resolve or there were any other issues uncovered during the visit, they may recommend a checkup to ensure your pet is back on track. If you have a primary care veterinarian that you normally see, you can choose to see them or come back to see Scout.
Referral: If it looks like surgery is indicated or your pet is sick enough to need inpatient care, we will happily coordinate a transfer to one of the inpatient care facilities in Chicago.
Remember that you are the best advocate for your pet. If you think it’s a problem, it probably is! We are here for you in your time of need.
