Swollen Raw around Dog Right Eye

by Natalie
(SLC, Utah)

Reader Question: Help for a Swollen Irritated Dog Eye

My 11 year old boxer has been scratching his right eye all night until it is raw and swollen. My husband and I were out for the night and when we came home his eye looked like the picture that I have attached. It was fine earlier today. I am not sure what could be irritating his eye so badly and it looks like it could be infected. I plan on calling the vet and trying to get him in as soon as possible tomorrow. But if there's any suggestions as to how to help him not scratch his eye anymore, that would be helpful.

Advice from our Veterinarian

Hello,

You are right to get your dog in to your veterinarian quickly. Eye problems in dogs can go from bad to worse very quickly. The sooner you start treatment the better the prognosis.

In the meantime, you can buy a large Elizabethan collar from a pet supply store and leave it on your dog until his appointment. The E. collar will prevent him from scratching his eye and from rubbing his face on the floor. If you can do so safely, you could also try washing out his eye with a sterile saline solution meant for use in the eyes (available at drugstores in the eye care section). Finally, if your dog has been prescribed a pain reliever by your veterinarian in the past and you have some on hand, it would not hurt to give him a dose tonight.

Best of luck,

Jennifer Coates, DVM