Corneal Ulcer in Dog"Corneal ulcer in dog is caused by a wound on the outer surface of the eye. Treatment is necessary to avoid infection and to determine if the eye can heal by itself. Some perforations can continue to get larger causing the need for surgery. " A corneal ulcer is a wound on the surface (called the epithelium) of your dog's eye and possibly some of the surrounding tissue (stroma). This surface covers the cornea and protects it and the other layers of the eye. Lesions on the eye can be painful since the epithelium is full of nerve receptors. When a wound forms or the surface of the eye becomes damaged, the eye is no longer completely protected. This allows infections to form. The infections worsen the condition and cause a perforation to form. Infections tend to be viral vs. bacterial or fungal. The key to treatment is to provide the best condition possible for the eye to naturally heal. Picture of Corneal Ulcer in Dog Eye
Symptoms of Corneal Ulcer in DogSymptoms of this condition include:* Squinting Diagnosis of Canine Corneal UlcerYour veterinarian will diagnose the condition by using a stain in the eye (called fluorescein) which will help him or her see the ulcer.During the examination your veterinarian will look for one of the many causes of the condition and to see if your dog is suffering from any other diseases that may be associated with the condition. Typical causes include: * Injury or trauma to the eye The location of the ulcer usually indicates the cause. Ulcer's on the edges of the eye indicate an eyelash or an object that has gotten into the eye. Lesions or ulcers in the center indicate some type of injury. Your vet will determine if the ulcer is causing pain, if their is eye discharge and the level of redness. Treatment of Corneal Ulcer in DogTreatment options vary based on the severity of the ulcer and its location. Some ulcers can be treated with prescription medications and will heal by themselves. In this case the greatest danger is your dog trying to rub the eye with his or her paws. In this case you will need to use an Elizabethan Collar to protect the eye.If the ulcer is a deep wound then surgery might be needed to keep a bigger perforation from forming. Also if bacterial infection is suspected than a topical antibiotic will be needed. Some ulcers grow slowly over time (called indolent ulcers) and eat away at the surface of the eye. Here intervention is needed by a veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist. Surgery is sometimes needed in these cases. To avoid infection, antibiotics might be needed. The condition should be monitored daily to see if there is any unexpected discharge or redness. It is common for healing eyes to show red blood vessels. SourceA.V.C.O.Corneal Ulceration--A Persistent Problem Peter G.C. Bedford, BVetMed, PhD, FRCVS, DVOphthal, DECVO, ILTM Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts, UK From Corneal Ulcer in Dog to More on Dog Eye Health
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