My stray cat has a scratched eye. Is it an emergency or will it heal?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered
Dear vets, our stray cat Ploffie seems to have hurt himself in the eye. It looks like a "scratch" inside the eye and whenever it's dark and I turn my flashlight on the eyes the wounded eye seems to reflect differently from the other eye. Next to that he has no symptoms at all, but since I can not easily catch him I worry a lot about him and especially about his vision and if this is an emergency to catch him, or if this would possibly heal on it's own? Thanks in advance! Kind regards, Josine
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 7th, 2019
While I can see the lesion you're referring to in the pictures it's difficult to tell where it originates from. It could be a growth coming from the iris or foreign material stuck in the eye. I would recommend catching him for your vet to take a look - it is possible that it's something that could affect his vision. If it's really difficult to take him to the vet you could see if there are any mobile veterinarians in your area that could come to the house, but you would still need to confine him somewhere inside (without many areas to hide) for the visit.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on January 9th, 2018
Hello, and thank you for your question. The photos are a bit blurry so it is hard to give you a definitive diagnosis, but my first thought is that he has been rubbing or scratching at his eye, causing the irritation on the corner of the eyelids. Eye itchiness can be due to an eye infection, and more importantly, scratching can lead to damage of the eye itself. For this reason, I would recommend getting your kitty seen by a vet in the next 24 hours to find out the cause. In the meantime, I would advise putting an e-collar (cone) on his head to prevent any further trauma. I know you haven't seen him scratching the eye specifically, but it is possible he may be doing it when you are not around. I hope this helps, and that your kitty is feeling better soon!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on February 20th, 2020
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Bandit. He may have an allergy or allergic reaction, an infection in that eye or a scratch across the surface of the eye. I agree that he needs to see his veterinarian. In the meantime, keep the eye free of any discharge that may start. Do not allow him to paw at the eye as can cause further damage. Place on E-collar on him if necessary. I hope this information helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on September 1st, 2019
I would not be worried about the scab under the eye. It looks to be healing fine. Just monitor it. The scabs all over the body are a bit concerning. I suggest you have him to the vet for an exam to have that checked out.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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