What should I check if my dog’s eye looks cloudy after trauma? | arlo.® Atlas
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Overview
If your dog’s eye looks cloudy after trauma, it’s sensible to treat it as something to keep a close eye on. Cloudiness can happen for several reasons, including irritation, bruising, swelling of the cornea or changes inside the eye. You can check a few practical things at home, but you can’t rule out a more serious eye injury just by looking.
Things To Check
1. Check whether the cloudiness is in the surface of the eye or seems to be deeper inside. A surface problem often looks like a hazy, blue-grey or white film over the front of the eye.
2. Look for redness, squinting, blinking more than usual or keeping the eye shut. These are common signs that the eye is uncomfortable.
3. Notice whether there is any discharge, tearing, blood, swelling or a visible scratch, cut or puncture near the eye.
4. See if your dog is rubbing the eye, pawing at the face or holding the head differently. That can suggest irritation or pain.
5. Check whether the pupil looks the same size as the other eye and whether the eye seems more sunken, bulging or sensitive to light.
6. Think about what happened just before the cloudiness appeared, such as a knock, scratch, play injury, fight, road grit or plant material.
7. Watch for any change in vision, such as bumping into things, hesitating in dim light or not tracking movement as usual.
Common Causes
The most common reasons for a cloudy look after trauma are surface irritation, a scratch to the cornea or swelling of the clear front layer of the eye. A small foreign body or dirt under the eyelid can also make the eye look cloudy and sore.
Less commonly, trauma can lead to bleeding inside the eye, inflammation deeper in the eye or pressure changes that affect how the eye looks. These are harder to judge at home and usually need a vet examination to sort out properly.
What To Do
Keep your dog from rubbing the eye and stop rough play for now. If they’ll tolerate it, gently rinse away obvious dirt with sterile saline or clean water, but don’t try to remove anything stuck in the eye. Avoid using human eye drops unless a vet has told you to.
Keep your dog indoors or away from dusty, windy or muddy areas until the eye has been checked. Take note of when the cloudiness started, whether it’s getting worse and any other signs you’ve seen, as this can help your vet assess the injury.
When To Contact A Vet
Eye injuries can worsen quickly, so it’s best to contact your vet promptly if the eye looks cloudy after a knock or scratch, especially if your dog is squinting, rubbing at it, seems painful or the cloudiness is getting worse. Any visible wound, blood, marked redness, change in pupil size or reduced vision also needs veterinary advice.
If you think something may be stuck in the eye, or the eye has been punctured, treat it as urgent.
Products That May Help
For dogs with eye irritation linked to face, coat or paw dirt after injury, it can help to keep general grooming and hygiene routines simple while you’re monitoring the eye.
Related Questions
Why does my dog’s eye look blue after a knock?
Should I clean my dog’s eye after an injury?
Can a cloudy eye in a dog clear up on its own?
Atlas is here to support owners with practical, easy-to-understand guidance. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you're concerned about your animal's health, symptoms worsen, or something doesn't feel right, contact your vet.