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My dog's eye is red after a fight. What should I do or watch for?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | spayed | 2 years and 3 months old | 18 lbs

My dogs got in a fight and her eye looks like a blood vessel burst. It is a red splotch and darker on one side and pink on the other with red in the center. She is acting fine and has no discharge or neurological symptoms. We called an emergency vet and they recommended taking her to get an eye exam in a few days. Any other suggestions or things to watch for?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 14th, 2022

Poor Fiona! Monitor the eye twice daily. If it gets redder, you see discharge coming from it, she's rubbing at her eye, or the eye appears cloudy in appearance, you need to take her into a vet immediately. You should get an eye exam for it soon, so please give your vet a call to make an appointment. I hope this helps!

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM
Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident
Published on April 20th, 2019
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be due to an eye injury from the attack or conditions such as a corneal laceration, corneal ulcer, conjunctivitis, dry eye (also known as KCS), among many other conditions. I highly recommend that you have Tabosha evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Further therapy would be based on the findings. Good luck and best wishes!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian
Published on December 15th, 2017
Poor McKinley! That eye looks really red. I would definitely see your vet so she can be started on the proper eye drops to decrease inflammation and prevent infection. I hope this helps and she starts to feel better.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on April 18th, 2017
Absolutely yes, eye must be checked as soon as possible by your veterinarian as internal lesion/ possible hemorrhage could be present. The earlier your vet give appropriate treatment the better the prognosis is for complete recovery of eye integrity and function.

Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation (where you can post pictures ) if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Dayna, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on February 1st, 2018
I’m sorry to hear about Daisy’s eye. I worry about eyes because they can get so bad so fast. My rule is usually that a closed or squinting eye is a painful eye. And a painful eye is an ocular emergency. Eye issues are very rarely life threatening, but if it is something like glaucoma hours can make the difference between complete vision loss or not. I would highly encourage you to have her evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Other causes could be a corneal injury, uveitis, and lens luxation. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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The best treatment is to have a vet look at the eyes and check for corneal scratches and other injuries so they can be treated with a pet-approved eye medication. Keeping the dogs separated if they are constantly fighting and monitoring them when they are together can prevent further injury. An Elizabethan (cone) collar can be used to keep your dogs from pawing at the eyes as well as they heal, but treatment from your vet is required.

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My 11-year-old dog has a red eye and poor vision. What's wrong?

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Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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