Corneal ulcer in dogs and puppies and possible treatment


An ulcer is comparable to a corneal abrasion, except that an ulcer is deeper and requires the middle and often the inner layer of the cornea. Most corneal ulcers come from trauma, however, many are related to keratoconjunctivitis sicca, corneal dystrophy, diabetes, Addison's disease, or hypothyroidism.

Corneal ulcers are incredibly painful and cause severe tearing, squinting, and pawing in the eye. Dogs frequently avoid light.

Large ulcers are visible towards the naked eye as dull spots or dished-out depressions on the surface of the cornea. Small ulcers would be best seen following the eye continues to be stained with fluorescein.

Treatment: Early veterinary consultation and treatment is essential to avoid serious complications as well as loss of the eye. Medical treatment is comparable to that for any corneal abrasion, except that ulcers take more time for you to heal.

Your veterinarian may recommend injecting antibiotics into the eye underneath the conjunctiva.

Surgical treatment involves suturing the 3rd eyelid or perhaps a flap of conjunctiva within the surface of the eye to protect the cornea during healing. Soft contacts and collagen shields are also ways of protecting a damaged cornea. The benefit of a message lens is that it may be changed weekly to see and treat the ulcer.

Collagen shields need to become replaced periodically simply because they degrade and disappear inside a couple of days. Your dog may need to put on an Elizabethan or BiteNot collar while the eye is healing to avoid rubbing or pawing in the eye.

Rupture of the eye in to the anterior chamber could be anticipated when the cloudy central part of an in-depth ulcer starts to clear, or even the endothelial layer protrudes just like a bulging tire.

This is often identified by your veterinarian. It's an emergency. Immediate surgery is essential to avoid loss of the eye.

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Note: This article was sent to us by: Norma Richards at 05132011

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