Thorn in a Vizsla's Eye: What to Watch For
by Thomas
(Michigan)
this is the thorn
Reader Question
I took my dog for a run in the woods and she loves going after rabbits and other animals. No matter how thick it is she'll go right through it. I heard her yelp, so i ran up to her to see if she was in a fight with something but she wasn't. So we kept on walking. She had a little blood on her face, nose and ears but its kinda normal cause she scratches her face from going through the thickets. When we got home i did my usaul check up to see if she had any deep cuts, ticks and so on. A couple hours later i noticed she was squinting a little so i opened her eye up a little a saw a piece of bark or somthing. So i got a q-tip to get it out and when i came back it must of came out it self, but it wasnt bark it was a thorn. In the picture is the thorn. It looks like the whole thing and hopfully nothing else is in there. She isnt showing any signs of it hurting like itching it or watery. It is a little red, no bleeding and the third lid is opening slower than normal. The eye itself look ok. She is a Viszla and two years old. It is late and going to take her to the vet tomorow. I was wondering if i should do anything tonight to keep it clean and from further irritation. I was gonna take a picture of the eye but where the thorn was is kinda hard to get too. Thank you in advance for the anwsers. Thomas P.
Answer from Our Team
Taking her to the vet the next day was the right call. Even if the thorn is out, it may have scratched the cornea, and pieces can lodge behind the third eyelid. Your vet can stain the eye to look for a scratch and check behind the third eyelid.
Until then, keep her from rubbing the eye and don't put any drops in except plain sterile saline. Watch for squinting, cloudiness or discharge, which would mean it needs attention quickly.
See eye ulcers in dogs for signs to watch.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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