Corneal Ulcers in Dogs: A Painful Eye Emergency

Corneal Ulcers In Dogs

The cornea is the transparent, outermost layer of your dog's eye. A corneal ulcer is essentially a wound or scratch on that surface — think of it like a graze on the skin, but on the eye.

The most common cause of a corneal ulcer is trauma, such as when dogs run into bushes or plants, get into a scuffle with another dog, or rub their eyes on objects like the carpet. Foreign irritants like dust might also get into the eye and cause injury. Some dogs have underlying conditions such as “dry eye” or allergies that predispose them to corneal ulcers. Some breeds might also be more at risk.

Common signs	Squinting, “teary” eye, redness, increased discharge.
Diagnosis	Fluorescein stain – a saline drop with a dye that is applied to the eye. The ulcer, if there is one, glows under a UV lamp. This is a non-invasive and non-painful test.
Who is affected?	Any dog can be affected. Some dogs more predisposed due to breed or underlying conditions.

Treatment

Typically, your dog will be fitted with an Elizabethan collar in the clinic and sent home with that. It is crucial that you ensure your dog keeps it on to prevent further trauma and delayed resolution. Eye ulcers can worsen quickly if not protected, which means more advanced treatment might be required. Your dog will be likely be prescribed with eye drops for cleaning the eye, antibiotics, and lubrication. Depending on the situation, oral medications such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatories might be given as well.

Important Note

Eye conditions can deteriorate quickly, so we advise owners to pay close attention to how your dog is doing. Do keep their E-collar on – they might seem uncomfortable while they adapt to it, but they usually get used to it within a day or so. Prevent them from scratching or touching their eyes.

It is important to come back for your review with the vet, usually within a few days after starting medication. Tests will be re-run to confirm the resolution of the ulcer. At this point, we may also recommend investigation or treatment of underlying issues such as Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (link to our page on KCS). For some dogs, we might recommend a referral for a full eye exam with the ophthalmologist.

When To Call Your Vet

Go to your vet immediately if you notice the following: an eye that is protruding/“bulging”, or is sunken, sudden vision loss (dog might be bumping into things), bleeding, or if your dog is suddenly unwell or in a lot of discomfort.

**GENTLE REMINDER: THIS HANDOUT RELATES TO DOGS ONLY. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SIMILAR INFORMATION IN CATS, PLEASE LOOK UP OUR SECTION ON “CORNEAL ULCERS IN CATS”**

Willow Vet Clinic contact
Phone: 6970 5686
E-mail: hello@willowvets.sg (non-urgent enquiries only)

DISCLAIMER: THIS HANDOUT IS MEANT FOR GENERAL EDUCATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE.