bloodshot or blood in eye

[twodogsinRI]

I feel horrible, yesterday I threw a short stick at my dog to get him to get away from a deer carcus in the woods where we were hiking. He generally ignores my calls when he is that interested in something and of course a dead deer is way interesting! I lobbed the stick and never thought I would hit him, figured I would hit the deer or the ground and scare him and he would pay attention to me. I hit him in the head. He yelped and ran away and I felt like such a crumb. I did not see any lump or bruise on him as a result but today the eye on that side of his head was bloodshot more than normal (he is older and has slightly bloodshot eyes now, or at least at the bottom they are). Later in the day we noticed that there is either some blood in his eye or it is more bloodshot. What should I do? He seems OK otherwise, eating and drinking normal...was great on his hike today. I think I probably caused him some eye trauma. I may have hit the edge of his eye, I really dont know where the stick hit to be honest....except it was his head. Ugh....feel so bad.  My poor dog. I hope he cant put together the" ouch that hurts" and Me.

[tonyb286]

I think to be on the safe side, I would get him to be examined by your vet. If the stick did catch his eye, it could cause trauma and potentially an eye infection. Given that he is an older dog, any infection may take hold, causing more damage, possibly permenantly. This was an accident, so don't beat yourself up over it, but do try to get him to your vet who may wash out the eye and prescribe some anti-inflamitory meds. Tony

[Elliesmom12]

If he will let you, look to see if there is anything in his eye. It sounds to me like one of two things happened. #1 he may have a scratched cornea, which you can't treat. It will heal itself in a week or so. #2 he may have some bark/wood stuck in his eye. If this is the case he needs to see a vet. If you have a vet ophthalmologist close to you, and it isn't better in the next week or so, call them.