It’s a pleasure for owners to have cats as companions, but they wonder what to do when scratch my eye. Cats do not require a lot of effort to pet. It even improves the owner’s mood by reducing stress and calming their nerves.
Cats, however, are not all merry. They can also make a mess. Among the threats that cats carry in their claws is dangerous bacteria that can cause infection in humans.
Cat Scratched My Eye
Most eye injuries occur during housework and sports. Nevertheless, even playing with your dog or cat or preparing food can scratch your eyes. There may be immediate symptoms, or they may appear hours after an injury or become worse.
Cats have a third eyelid directly on the nose. When examining a cat’s eye, one needs to know that it has a third eyelid. When the third eyelid completely covers the eyeball, it can appear as if part of the eye is missing.
Inflamed eyes appear raised, and red. Keep your fingers off of this eyelid. A veterinarian should treat any eye irritation.
When you’re unsure whether your cat has a scratched eye or an eye infection, watch out for signs like squinting and rubbing its eyes. A thick discharge may occur, as well as redness of the eye.
Eye Scratches and Their Symptoms
Occasionally, blood can appear on your conjunctiva or sclera when there is a scratch on the white part of your eye. Or you may just see redness in general.
Scratches on the eye can also cause the following symptoms:
- A burning sensation in the eyes
- An unpleasant feeling in your eye
- Tearful
A corneal abrasion occurs when the cornea- the clear, round dome covering the iris and pupil at the front of the eye, has a scratch or scrape. Corneal abrasions can scar the cornea, resulting in permanent visual impairment. There are also other symptoms associated with corneal abrasions, such as:
- Vision blurred
- Light sensitivity
- Having headaches
Visiting A Doctor Is a Smart Idea!
You must see a doctor as soon as your cat scratches you. In the case of distant healing, though, you’ll have to clean it with saline or clean water. Also, seeing a doctor is imperative when experiencing pain, light sensitivity, or difficulty seeing clearly.
Ophthalmologists will examine your eyes and determine the best way to treat them. It usually takes a few days for eye scratches to heal without damaging the cornea.
A severe scratch, such as one that affects the eyeball or tissue under the lid, will require medical attention. The person should not scratch the bleeding eye when the cat scratches it. Get in touch with your doctor if you are experiencing new symptoms.
Furthermore, you shouldn’t cover it to prevent bacteria from thriving. Further, you should not take OTC pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, as these could worsen bleeding.
A Scratched Eye Takes Time to Heal
Following an eye examination, your ophthalmologist will tell you what to expect. Generally, eye scratches heal very quickly compared to a cut on your skin. However, the healing process for a scratch on an eye takes time, and you cannot predict in advance how long it will take.
Your ophthalmologist will be able to tell you how long you’ll be in pain, how long to take your prescribed medications, and if there are any activities you should avoid while healing. If your symptoms persist or worsen for a longer period than usual, then consider changing the doctor.
Summary
So, when a situation appears like a cat scratched my eye, follow all the essential steps mentioned in the article. The level of injury will determine the measures you should take if your cat scratches you accidentally, during play, or intentionally. A swollen or bleeding eye needs immediate medical attention.
If you have impaired vision, hypersensitivity to light, persistent redness, or suffer from severe pain, you may need medical assistance as well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When the third eyelid of a cat is visible, what does it mean?
The cat’s third eyelid may show if it has been injured or infected. An oral infection, an abscess, or a dental disease can also lead to corneal abrasions that can scabbard breath. It is important not to touch, handle, or disturb the eyelid. Seek immediate veterinary care.
Is it normal for my cat to squint and water his eyes?
There is an excellent chance that your cat’s eyes are watering and squinting due to irritation caused by something like a virus, allergies, dust, or dirt. There is also the possibility that irritation can cause mild inflammation around the eyeball (conjunctivitis) or even irreparable corneal damage in severe cases.
What can you do if you find a cat’s eye irritated?
A vet examination is the best course of action. Flush the eye with a saline solution or cool water throughout this time and place a cone over its neck to keep it from scratching or rubbing.
