EYE ULCER OR CORNEAL ULCER IN DOGS
Overview
An eye ulcer is a wound on the front of the eye; they are very painful and can develop for many different reasons.
Ulcers often appear suddenly and get rapidly worse. However, eyes heal quickly so with vet treatment an ulcer is likely to heal within a few days (unless complications develop).
Leaving an ulcer without veterinary treatment can result in loss of an eye.
Contact your vet ASAP if you notice anything wrong with your dog’s eyes – they are too important to leave to chance.
Corneal ulcers
Eye ulcers (also called ‘corneal ulcers’) are damage to the surface of the eye. Ulcers vary from being very shallow (a minor graze or scratch) to much deeper and more serious.The front of the eye is very thin, deep ulcers can cause the eye to burst. A burst eye may need removal or referral to a specialist eye clinic. If caught early enough, surgery to repair a burst eye is occasionally possible.
Common causes include injuries, dry eye, infections and entropian (in-turning eyelids)
Eye ulcers can be very painful and can quickly get worse if left untreated.
Symptoms of an eye ulcer include:
Red, inflamed, blood shot eye
An obvious hole or crater on the surface of their eye
Closed eye or squinting
Blinking more than usual
Weepy eye
Cloudy eye
Scratching and rubbing at the face and eye
Avoiding bright lights.
A deep ulcer in a dog’s eye, highlighted by a green dye.
Causes
So how did your dog get a corneal ulcer? Possible causes include:
Dry eye
Dry eye (lack of tears) causes eyes to become irritated and painful, and is a common cause of ulcers in dogs. Your vet may test for dry eye if your dog regularly suffers from ulcers.
Injury
Injuries such as stick injuries and cat scratches are a common cause of eye ulcers.
Something in the eye
Something stuck in the eye such as a grass seed or grit (usually behind the third eyelid) can cause an ulcer.
Eyelid problems
Eyelid problems such as entropian (turning in of the eyelids) causes rubbing, pain and often ulcers.
Eyelash problems
Eyelashes growing in the wrong place or at a strange angle can cause irritation and eye ulcers.
Eye infections
Both bacterial (bacterial conjunctivitis) and viral eye infections can cause eye ulcers.
Breeds at high risk
Short nosed dogs are at a much higher risk of eye ulcers because their eyes bulge forward and are very exposed. Dogs that suffer from eye conditions such as dry eye are also at a higher risk of an ulcer.
Breeds at risk include:
Pug
Shih Tzu
Bulldog
Boxer
West Highland Terrier
Cavalier Kind Charles Spaniel.
An E collar will prevent your dog from rubbing or scratching at their eye whilst it heals. This is vitally important for the treatment of an ulcer.
Surgery
Your dog may require surgery if their eye has been badly damaged or isn’t healing.
Your vet may have to refer your dog to a specialist eye hospital.
Prevention
There isn’t much you can do to prevent eye ulcers but some sensible precautions can be taken
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