Eye proptosis, the displacement of the eyeball from the socket, in ferrets is a serious condition typically resulting from significant trauma. This trauma can arise from a variety of sources, including blunt force injuries, bite wounds from other animals, or even accidental injury during handling. The delicate structure of the ferret’s eye and relatively shallow orbit make it particularly vulnerable. In addition, disease processes impacting surrounding tissues can contribute to or exacerbate such injuries. A popped out eye demands immediate veterinary attention.
Prompt veterinary intervention is crucial to manage pain, prevent infection, and, in some cases, attempt to save the eye. The severity of the injury dictates the treatment options, which can range from surgical repositioning of the eyeball to enucleation (surgical removal of the eye). Delaying treatment can lead to irreversible damage, vision loss, and potentially life-threatening complications such as infection spreading to the brain.
