Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Cat scratched my dog's eye. Is it an emergency if I can't see a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 2 years and 6 months old | 26 lbs

My dog got scratched by the cat and he got her eye. She didn't yelp or make any noise. I just looked over and she was bleeding and squinting. It looked like she was crying blood. It stopped bleeding in less than 10 minutes and I was able to look at it. It appears there is a cut on the inner eyelid. Her inner eyelid is currently pink and a little swollen. She's not messing with it or squinting anymore. The problem is I can't get her to a vet until Friday.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 18th, 2017

Unfortunately, Daisy can't wait until Friday to see a vet. Because the eye is such a delicate and important structure, any injury to it should be considered an emergency. That's because leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. Because she's suffered a scratch to her eye, it can easily become infected and lead to an ulcer. Daisy needs to see a vet right away. If you can't take her, I would find someone to take her for you. If money is a problem, I can give you some resources that may help you afford a vet. You can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website.
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962
https://www.redrover.org
https://www.carecredit.com
http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets
http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/
Please take Daisy into a vet ASAP.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 4th, 2018

    It's difficult to say what the appropriate treatment is without seeing the extent of the injury. It's always best to have a vet examine it and provide treatment, but I understand that this is not possible for you at this time.

    The first thing you should do is flush the wound using a syringe or other dispensing device with warm water for five minutes. This may not be easy, because dogs tend to hate water getting near their face. I recommend having someone help you with holding Rocky to make sure the wound gets flushed well.

    Infection is the biggest concern with these wounds; so after flushing, it's best to apply an antibacterial cream to the wound. In order to keep the wound clean, it's best to flush the wound 1-2 times a day and gently wipe away any big crusts - make sure not to scrub the wound, because this can make it worse. Apply the antibacterial cream after each flushing.

    If the wound starts to swell or have pus oozing from the wound, then I'd recommend he goes to the vet for treatment.

    I hope that helps and Rocky gets better soon.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

    Published on November 3rd, 2017

    I would still recommend taking Lady to the eye specialist. Be honest with them about what you can afford for treatment. The eye specialist may still recommend surgery as the "best" option that will heal the eye the fastest, but hopefully they will have some other treatment options that will help Lady. There are also some financial options like Care Credit (carecredit.com) that offer delayed payment options that may be helpful for you to look into. I have attached information about corneal ulcerations below that may also be helpful.
    https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=554
    Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
My dog's eye is scratched & foggy but not bothering her. Vet needed?
You must take Biscuit into the vet asap for this problem. Scratches to the eye can lead to ulcers when left untreated, and this can lead to permanent vision loss. The eye is such a delicate and important structure that any problem with it is considered an emergency. Please take her into a vet right away.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My cat has an eye scratch from another cat. Is it an emergency?
Hello, A cat scratch to the eye can be a serious emergency and warrants evaluation by a veterinarian. It is important to have the eye evaluted because if left untreated, Fluffy may develop a severe infection inside the eye. However, with prompt treatment and application of an E-collar she should make a speedy recovery.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My puppy's eye has a red spot from a cat scratch. Is it serious?
I can certainly understand being concerned about Bruski! He is in need of immediate veterinary attention, as if the cat scratched his eye, he could now have an infection in his eye. The eye is such a delicate and important structure that any problem with it should be considered an emergency. That's because leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. I would take Bruski into the vet right away to have his eye examined and treated.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Dog's eye watery, blue/gray film. How to get urgent vet help?
Oh no, Lucy's eye looks quite bad from the picture! The eye is such a delicate and important structure that any problem with it should be considered an emergency. That's because leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. Lucy has to see a vet now, it cannot wait until next Friday. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do for her at home, but I can give you some resources that may help you afford a vet. You can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ God's Creatures Ministry helps pay for veterinarian bills for those who need help.
 The Onyx & Breezy Foundation has many programs including helping people with medical bills. They are a good resource for information.
 Brown Dog Foundation provides funding to families with a sick pet that would likely respond to treatment, but due to circumstances, there is not enough money immediately available to pay. IMOM is dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged. I hope one of these resources helps you afford a vet for Lucy. Please take her into a vet asap.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Training & Behavior
My dog is squinting and her eye is watering. Does she need a vet?
No, there is no way to treat this without seeing a vet, and leaving this untreated can lead to vision loss. A scratch can turn into an ulcer without treatment, and I've seen ulcers causes permanent vision loss including eyes needing to be removed due to the seriousness of one. You need to take Zoey into a vet asap to have this treated. Best of luck.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Puppy's eye scratched, swollen, leaking brown. Is it an emergency?
This is a medical emergency, and Blu has to see a vet now. His eye could have been severely injured, and leaving this untreated can lead to vision loss. Please take him into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My dog's eye got scratched by a cat. What should I do for swelling?
Angel needs to be seen by your veterinarian or at the nearest veterinary ER tonight. Any eye injury should be treated as a veterinary emergency. The injury should be addressed to avoid unnecessary pain, to prevent infection and to prevent permanent damage or loss of vision.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Related Searches

Cat SuppliesCat FoodDog Eye CareDog Ear & Eye MedicineCat Eyedrops & Ear MedicationDog Medicine and PrescriptionsCat Ear & Eye CarePet PharmacyCat First AidDog Ear & Eye CarePrescription Allergy Medicine for DogsCat MedicineDog Health & WellnessDog Ear CareDog Asthma MedicationDog Blood Pressure MedicationVaccines and Shots for CatsPrescription Horse Ear & Eye CarePrescription Cat Allergy MedicineDog First Aid & Recovery
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Share

Styled arrow button