Eye Emergencies in Pets: Redness, Discharge, and Sudden Vision Loss
When something suddenly looks wrong with your pet’s eyes, every minute matters. Eye redness, discharge, or sudden vision loss can appear quickly and worsen before you know it. At Urgent Pet Animal Hospital in El Cerrito, CA, our team provides emergency-only veterinary care for the Bay Area community. We are not a routine vet. Our focus is fast, precise treatment for urgent conditions so your pet gets the care they need, exactly when they need it.
This Article Will Address
- What redness or swelling in a pet’s eye could mean
- Whether pets can go blind overnight
- How to recognize a scratched cornea
- What to do if a pet is squinting or pawing at the eye
- When an eye injury becomes an emergency
- Why Bay Area pet owners choose Urgent Pet Animal Hospital for emergency eye care
What Does It Mean If My Pet’s Eye Is Red and Swollen?
Redness and swelling often signal inflammation, infection, or trauma. Common causes include allergic reactions, a foreign object, a scratch on the cornea, or an underlying eye disease such as uveitis or glaucoma. Because the eye’s delicate structures can deteriorate rapidly, a condition that looks mild in the morning can become serious by evening.
At Urgent Pet Animal Hospital, every patient is evaluated immediately upon arrival. Using digital magnification, fluorescein dye, and tonometry, our team identifies the exact cause of redness and swelling and begins treatment to relieve pain and preserve vision. If your pet’s eye suddenly looks red or puffy, call our Bay Area urgent care team for an immediate exam.
Can My Pet Go Blind Overnight?
Yes, sudden blindness can occur, and it is always an emergency. Pets can lose vision from retinal detachment, high blood pressure, or acute glaucoma—conditions that progress quickly and can lead to permanent blindness if untreated.
Our medical director, Dr. Nilanthi Kulasekara (BVSc), has over 20 years of experience in emergency veterinary medicine and advanced diagnostics. She and our team perform on-site imaging, intraocular pressure testing, and blood pressure monitoring to determine whether your pet’s vision can be saved. In many cases, prompt treatment such as pressure-lowering medication or anti-inflammatory therapy can protect or partially restore sight.
If your pet appears disoriented, bumps into furniture, or shows dilated pupils, seek immediate emergency vet care.
What Are Signs of a Scratched Cornea in a Pet?
A scratched cornea, or corneal ulcer, is a painful wound on the surface of the eye. Pets may:
- Squint or keep one eye closed
- Paw or rub at the face
- Tear excessively or show discharge
- Avoid bright light
- Develop cloudiness or a visible spot on the eye
Corneal injuries require immediate veterinary attention because infection can set in within hours.
At Urgent Pet, we perform fluorescein stain testing to confirm a scratch or ulcer and then begin protective or antibiotic treatment right away to prevent deeper damage.
What Should You Do If Your Pet Is Squinting or Pawing at Their Eye?
If you notice your pet squinting, pawing, or rubbing their face:
- Prevent further injury by using an Elizabethan collar if available.
- Do not apply human eye drops or rinse with water.
- Keep your pet calm and away from bright light.
- Call Urgent Pet Animal Hospital immediately for guidance.
Our trained staff provide phone-based triage to determine the urgency of your pet’s condition and prepare for your arrival so treatment can begin right away. These small steps can make a big difference in protecting your pet’s vision.
When Is an Eye Injury an Emergency?
Any sudden change in your pet’s eyes should be treated as an emergency. Early intervention often means the difference between recovery and permanent vision loss.
Signs that require immediate attention include:
- Eye bulging or a sunken appearance
- Thick or bloody discharge
- Blue, white, or cloudy cornea
- Sudden vision loss or bumping into objects
- Continuous squinting, hiding, or obvious pain
Because Urgent Pet Animal Hospital focuses exclusively on emergencies, our patients receive faster diagnostics and shorter wait times than at general veterinary clinics. Our facility is equipped for digital imaging, cytology, blood work, ultrasound, oxygen therapy, and soft-tissue surgery to treat urgent eye conditions efficiently and safely.
Why Choose Urgent Pet for Eye Emergencies in the Bay Area?
Pet emergencies are stressful. At Urgent Pet Animal Hospital, we make the experience as calm and efficient as possible.
- 20+ years of emergency experience: Led by Dr. Kulasekara, with specialized training from Tufts University and North Carolina State University.
- State-of-the-art diagnostics: On-site imaging, tonometry, blood pressure monitoring, and in-house laboratory testing.
- Efficient workflow: Immediate triage and same-day appointments to reduce waiting and anxiety.
- Clear communication: Our team explains every diagnosis and treatment plan so you understand your options.
- Central Bay Area location: Conveniently located in El Cerrito, CA, serving nearby communities throughout the Bay Area.
Our environment is designed to reduce fear and stress, with separate cat and dog housing, certified fear-free cages, and a low-stress scale system for quick, gentle evaluations.
Prompt, Compassionate Care When Every Second Counts
Eye emergencies can’t wait until tomorrow. If your pet’s eye is red, swollen, cloudy, or showing discharge, contact us immediately. Vision loss can occur in hours, but timely emergency care can protect your pet’s comfort and sight.
At Urgent Pet Animal Hospital in El Cerrito, CA, we provide rapid, compassionate emergency treatment for all types of pet eye injuries and sudden symptoms. Contact us immediately to schedule an urgent appointment.
Sources
Nilanthi Kulasekara, BVSc
Dr. Kulasekara, also known as “Dr. K,” has over 25 years of experience as a veterinarian. She has worked in emergency animal hospitals in Massachusetts, Maryland, and California, and most recently as a full-time relief veterinarian concurrently at three emergency hospitals in the East Bay. Whatever happens, our doctors have the knowledge, the experience, and the equipment to treat any case that comes through the door. So even if your pet comes to us with a true emergency, we will stabilize them before helping you get them to the appropriate emergency hospital.
