If your cat has scratched their eye, then it’s important to seek medical attention right away as this can lead to serious infection or disease.
Cat scratches, even those that seem minor, can introduce bacteria into the eye which can cause inflammation and ulceration. In severe cases, this can lead to blindness.
There are a few things you can do at home to help relieve your cat’s discomfort and prevent further damage. However, it’s important to see a veterinarian as soon as possible so they can properly treat the injury and rule out any underlying conditions.
Here are some facts to know about cat eye scratches and what you can do to help your feline friend:
What Are The Symptoms Of Cat Eye Scratch?
The symptoms of a scratched eye will vary depending on the severity of the injury. Your cat may have a watery or tearing eye, redness, swelling, squinting, pawing at the eye, or holding the eye closed.
A cloudy cornea:
In more severe cases, you may notice a white or blue haze over the cornea (the clear outer layer of the eye). If the cornea is scratched, it can become cloudy and opaque, which can lead to vision loss.
Blood may be there in the white section of the eye:
If your cat has a deep scratch, you may see blood in the white part of the eye. This is called hyphema and can be a sign of a more serious injury.
A visible object lodged in the eye:
If your cat was scratched by another animal or object, there may be a foreign body lodged in the eye. This can be extremely painful and should be removed as soon as possible by a veterinarian.
Discharge emanating from the eye:
A scratched eye will often produce a watery or pus-like discharge. This is the body’s way of trying to flush out the bacteria and debris that has been introduced into the eye.
Dilated pupil:
One of the most common signs of eye trauma is a dilated pupil. This is the body’s way of trying to protect the damaged eye from light.
Inflammation or swelling in the eye:
Inflammation and swelling are the body’s natural response to injury. However, in the case of the eye, it can cause further damage and should be treated as soon as possible.
Apart from that, your cat may begin pawing their eye or rubbing it against the sofa. These are the symptoms of your cat eye scratch problem.
What Causes A Cat To Scratch Their Eye?
There are a few different reasons why your cat may scratch their eye:
Allergies: Just like humans, cats can have allergies that cause itchiness and irritation. If your cat is scratching their eye due to allergies, they may also have other symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny nose.
Dirty Environment: If your cat lives in a dirty or dusty environment, this can irritate their eyes and cause them to scratch.
Foreign Object: A piece of dirt, dust, grass, or other small particles can become lodged in your cat’s eye and cause discomfort. Your cat may try to paw at the object to remove it, leading to a scratch.
Injury: If your cat is hit in the eye or has something sharp come into contact with their eye, this can cause a scratch.
Eye Disease: Some eye conditions such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) or corneal ulcers can cause irritation and lead to scratching.
How Is A Cat Eye Scratch Treated?
The treatment for a cat eye scratch will depend on the severity of the injury. For minor scratches, you may be able to treat your cat at home with some simple self-care measures. However, more serious injuries will require veterinary attention.
Home Treatment:
If the scratch is not too deep and there is no foreign object in the eye, you can try treating your cat at home with the following methods:
Clean the area around the eye with a sterile saline solution or warm water. Do not use soap as this can further irritate the eye.
Apply a warm compress to the area for 5-10 minutes several times a day to help reduce swelling.
Give your cat an over-the-counter antihistamine to help relieve itchiness and inflammation.
If the scratch is more severe or if there is a foreign object in the eye, you will need to take your cat to the vet for treatment. They may prescribe antibiotics or other medication to help clear up the infection and prevent further damage.
Surgical Treatment:
In some cases, a cat eye scratch can cause a corneal ulcer. This is a deep sore on the surface of the eye that can become infected. If this happens, then your vet may recommend surgery to repair the damage and prevent further complications.
Prevention:
There are a few things you can do to help prevent your cat from scratching their eye:
Keep your cat’s environment clean and free of dust, dirt, and other irritants.
If your cat has allergies, then talk to your vet about ways to manage them.
Trim your cat’s nails regularly to help prevent accidental scratches.
If your cat is prone to scratching, then consider using an eye ointment or gel to help lubricate the eye and prevent irritation.
Talk to your vet about other options such as using an Elizabethan collar (e-collar) to prevent your cat from pawing at their eye.
As you can see, there are a few different things that can cause a cat to scratch their eye. If the scratch is minor, you may be able to treat it at home.
However, more severe injuries will require veterinary attention.
You can only do a few things to help prevent your cat from scratching their eye in the first place. If you have any concerns, make sure to talk to your vet.
How Much Time Does It Take For A Full Eye Scratch Recovery Of Your Cat?
The time it takes for your cat to recover from an eye scratch will depend on the severity of the injury.
However, minor scratches may heal within a week or two with home treatment. More severe injuries may require veterinary attention and could take several weeks or longer to heal.
If your cat has a corneal ulcer, then it may need surgery to repair the damage. This can take several weeks to heal.
In some cases, eye scratches can cause permanent damage to the eye. It is important to talk to your vet about the best way to treat your cat’s eye scratch and prevent further complications.
Conclusion
So, a cat eye scratch is a common injury that can happen by a number of things. The treatment for a cat eye scratch will depend on the severity of the injury.
For minor scratches, you may be able to treat your cat at home with some simple self-care measures.
However, more serious injuries will require veterinary attention. There are also a few things you can do to help prevent your cat from scratching their eye in the first place. If you have any concerns, be sure to talk to your vet.
