2025 Vet Guide: Hyphema in Dogs – Causes, Urgent Care & Treatment 🐶🩸

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Seeing blood in your dog’s eye can be alarming—and it's a sign that immediate veterinary care is needed. Hyphema is bleeding in the anterior chamber (between the cornea and iris) that can threaten sight if incorrect. Here’s an expert guide to understanding and responding effectively.

🔍 1. What Is Hyphema?

Hyphema occurs when blood pools in the eye’s anterior chamber. It may appear as partial or full filling of the eye or a dark red layer at the bottom.

⚠️ 2. Why It’s an Emergency

• Blood in the eye risks high pressure (glaucoma), corneal staining, optic nerve damage, or permanent blindness.
• Quick action can prevent secondary damage—don’t wait to seek veterinary attention.

🦠 3. Common Causes

• Trauma: Blunt or penetrating injuries like animal fights, car accidents.
• Inflammation (Anterior uveitis): Can be caused by infections, immune issues, or lens disease.
• Tumors or neoplasia: Within the eye or behind the iris.
• Hypertension or clotting disorders: Elevated blood pressure or blood disease can cause spontaneous bleeding.
• Retinal detachment or glaucoma: Eye pressure changes may lead to bleeding.
• Congenital issues: Inherited vascular abnormalities, especially in certain breeds.

👁️ 4. Signs & Complications

• Visible blood or dark fluid in the eye (often layers with gravity).
• Pain signs: squinting, rubbing or light aversion.
• Possible vision loss—especially if both eyes are affected.
• Potential complications: glaucoma, synechiae, corneal staining, retinal damage, eye atrophy or blindness.

🛠️ 5. Veterinary Work-Up

• Detailed history and full eye exam (tonometry, pupil test, slit lamp).
• Blood pressure measurement to check for hypertension.
• Bloodwork to assess clotting, infection, and systemic health.
• Imaging (ocular ultrasound + chest/abdomen X-rays) if tumors or detachment are suspected.
• Referral to an ophthalmologist if needed.

🛠️ 6. Treatment Planning

• Manage cause: Trauma, tumors, hypertension, or inflammation are treated based on the underlying diagnosis.
• Reduce inflammation: Topical/systemic corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone, prednisone).
• Dilate the pupillary muscle: Atropine drops to prevent painful synechiae.
• Lower pressure: If glaucoma is present, medications like prostaglandins or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may be used.
• Antibiotics: If infection is suspected.
• Surgery: To remove tumors, drains, or address foreign objects.

⏳ 7. Prognosis & Recovery

Mild traumatic hyphema often resolves in 1–2 weeks with early intervention. However, severe cases or recurrent problems may lead to poor outcomes—vision loss or eye atrophy.

🏡 8. Home Care & Prevention

• Prevent muzzle/head trauma—avoid fights, high-value hazards.
• Use E-collar to stop rubbing.
• Maintain regular blood pressure and systemic health monitoring.
• Schedule routine veterinary and ophthalmic checkups, especially for predisposed breeds.
• Ensure safe environment—remove eye hazards like branches or chemicals.

📱 9. Support Tools for Owners

• Ask A Vet: Immediate triage for eye trauma, guidance on urgency, and follow-up care.
• Woopf: Log eye appearance, treatment changes, pressure readings, and vet appointments.
• Purrz: Track eye symptoms, triggers, healing trajectory, and medication responses.

📚 FAQs

Q: Can hyphema resolve without treatment?

Mild cases sometimes resolve—but without addressing cause and preventing complications, there's risk of permanent damage.

Q: Will my dog go blind?

If treated early and cause controlled, many recover vision. Severe, untreated, or recurrent hyphemas often lead to glaucoma, corneal staining, or vision loss.

Q: What breeds are most at risk?

Breeds prone to vascular eye abnormalities (e.g., Boxers, Labs, Collies) or with systemic issues are at higher risk.

💬 Owner Insight

“Our border collie was hit in a park fight—her eye filled with blood overnight. Vet caught hypertension and managed with drops. She recovered fully within two weeks!”

🏁 Final Thoughts from Dr Houston

Hyphema is a serious but often treatable eye emergency when addressed quickly and thoroughly. With proper diagnostics, management, and follow-up, many dogs maintain comfort and vision. Tools like Ask A Vet, Woopf, and Purrz empower owners to act fast and track healing, keeping eyes bright and clear through 2025 and beyond. 💙👁️

Download the Ask A Vet app for expert information, urgency guidance, and healing support. 📱

AskAVet.com – Helping your dog see clearly—and stay safe—every day.