Dog cut under eye: How to clean it and when should I see a vet?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Great Pyrenees | Male | neutered | 75 lbs
Hi there. My dogs were playing and one accidentally cut the other one under the eye. I'll attach a photo. How should I clean it and care for it? Does it look like it requires a vet visit right now? Thank you.
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on October 26th, 2019
I am sorry to hear about your dog's fighting! Due to the wound being so close to the eye it can be a tricky situation, because you don't want any soap to get into the eye which could cause ulceration/burning of the cornea (surface of the eye). I would also be concerned/worried if the injury was this close to the eye that there could be trauma to the eye itself. It also looks like the wound could be deep and if it extends a bit past where I can see in the photo (I can't tell because of the presence of fur) it could be long enough to warrant a stitch. If your dog is tolerant you can try using a q-tip with a small amount of soap on it to clean the area in order to clean it while avoiding the eye itself. A soap such as Hibiclens (generic = chlorhexidine) from the drug store is ideal but if not, just a mild soap at home. If your dog is wiggly/not cooperative and you may end up getting soap in his eye I would avoid using soap near it and just rinse with warm water. You can apply a small amount of topical antibiotic ointment with a q-tip as well if you think your dog will not rub it into his eye. Monitor for swelling, pain, and discharge and if these occur or the wound look larger then he should see a full service vet because it may require antibiotics or a suture.
7Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on September 27th, 2017
I am sorry to hear about your puppy. If the eyeball itself is bleeding that would be considered an emergency and you should seek urgent veterinary care. If the eyelid is bleeding but the wound is small, then you can try cleaning it with a mild soap (as long as the soap isn't going to get on the eyeball itself. Holding a clean cloth over the area and applying gentle pressure may help stop the bleeding. If the bleeding will not stop after applying gentle pressure then you should seek veterinary care. If the wound is deep/gaping it may require sutures or an antibiotic and you should bring Jessi to the vet as well.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on January 14th, 2019
Hi ! Toby’s wound in itself is just superficial and could be cleaned with some sterile solution (saline) or very diluted betadine. I am not sure if his eye is not affected and I would recommend to have it checked over, as there is a little graze just under the lower eye lid too. Hope it is nothing to worry about !
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
My dog got in a fight with my other dog and after a few hours my dogs eye looks like this. He didn’t get bit in his eye Like from where he sees but he had a tiny cut right next to his eye in between his ear and eye and now one of his eyes is like thi
Hi my two dogs got into a fight today for the first time in 5 years and I noticed my German Shepherd has a gash on her cheek under her eye I'm wondering what would care I can do from home?
My dog got attacked by some other dog and now she's bleeding next to her eye it's on the corner and it's open a piece is kinda hanging . I don't know how to clean it or what to do . I don't want it to get infected
How do I treat a small cut near my dog's eye? It's right below the right eyelid and it bled a little. There is a stray cat in the yard who might have done it.
my dog has a tear under her eye and there are no available vets here. Is there something we can do from home to keep it from getting worse?
My puppy Cleo seems like she was playing rough with her brother and got hurt right befow her eye..it’s swollen, she can open her eye with no problem it seems, and she has a cut or scratch where she got hurt. Do I need to take her to the vet for speci
My dog was playing with other dogs which got a little rough. He now has a wound under his eye. It’s not oozing blood, but the skin is broken. I cleaned it with warm water but are there any antibiotic ointments or creams I can use on the wound this cl
Dogs got in a small fight. The smaller of the to looks to have a small flesh wound on the head. And what looks like a blood blister in her eye. What should I do?
Needing an idea of what this is
I was removing a knot in wish’s hair behind his hair when I accidentally cut his skin. The cut is about 3/4 of an inch in length and about 2 mm deep. I only noticed it 13-14 hours later. He doesn’t seem to be in pain. There is little to no bleeding.
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
