Content
- What is the cornea of the eye
- Corneal Ulcer Symptoms in Dogs
- Types of Corneal Ulcers in Dogs
- Corneal Ulcer Treatment in Dogs
- Prevention
- indolent corneal ulcer
One ulcer it is a wound that can occur in different parts of the body. In this PeritoAnimal article we will focus on explaining the symptoms and treatment of corneal ulcer in dogs which, therefore, will be a wound that, for different causes, will form on the cornea.
There are different signs in the behavior of dogs that indicate the existence of this disease, so we must be careful. Due to its location, it will always require veterinary intervention, as leaving it untreated can result in significant damage at the eye level, which can even lead to eye loss.
What is the cornea of the eye
the cornea is the external and transparent part of the eye. Curved in shape, it is the first barrier for protecting and penetrating light into the eye. Its location makes it sensitive to injuries, such as corneal ulcers in dogs, which we will detail below. the animals of googly eyestherefore will be more likely to suffer from it.
Any irritation, like a scratch, the entrance of a foreign body or even a cilia that grows towards it, is capable of injuring the superficial layer formed by epithelial cells of the cornea, producing what is known as the name of corneal abrasion.
When the damage goes beyond this layer and affects the middle layer or even the inner cornea, we will be facing the corneal ulcer. At the site of damage, the cornea becomes blurry and opaque. We must know that these ulcers are very painful and require a quick veterinary attention. Under no circumstances should we administer drops on our own, as they could cause the corneal perforation.
Corneal Ulcer Symptoms in Dogs
Corneal ulcers in dogs are one of the main eye disease problems that cause the vision loss in dogs. That's why we should be aware of our furry friend's behavior, as he can indicate to us that he is suffering from this condition. In addition to discomfort and pain, a dog's eye ulcer has the following symptoms:
- Very strong tearing
- Itching (the dog tries to scratch his eye)
- Photophobia, that is, the dog feels uncomfortable in the light
- The third eyelid may be visible in an attempt to protect the eye
- Larger ulcers can be seen with the naked eye, as opaque or whitish areas
Superficial corneal ulcers are more painful than deep ones. The veterinarian is the professional who can confirm your presence, and he does this by putting a few drops of eye drops. fluorescein In the eye. If there is an ulcer, its color will turn green.
Usually originated from trauma, corneal ulcers in dogs can also be associated with illnesses such as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, canine diabetes or hypothyroidism in dogs. Corneal ulcers can be deep or simple, as we will see below.
Types of Corneal Ulcers in Dogs
There are two types of corneal ulcers in dogs:
- simple corneal ulcer: are the most superficial and therefore the most painful. Its onset is usually sudden and without associated infection. If we detect the cause, they heal well in a few days. It is usually caused by trauma or entry of a foreign body.
- deep corneal ulcer: this group includes ulcers that do not heal in 7-10 days or we cannot verify what causes them. They are deep corneal ulcers, corneal perforations or indolent ulcers.
You may also be interested in this other article about how dogs are seen.
Corneal Ulcer Treatment in Dogs
To diagnose the ulcer in the dog's eye, the veterinarian will be based on clinical signs, on the results obtained in the eye exam and also in the evaluation of the integrity of the cornea, which is made from the use of dyes, as we have already explained.
Once the diagnosis is established, the goal will be to preserve vision and corneal function. For this, the veterinarian will act to help the wound healing and, at the same time, prevent the multiplication and invasion of microorganisms. In this sense, he usually prescribes a eye drops for corneal ulcers in dogs with antibiotics to prevent the occurrence of infections.
Drops that keep the pupil dilated and thus reduce pain are also recommended. It is important to complete the treatment and that the veterinarian check the eye to ensure the ulcer is completely healed. Treatment is essential to avoid complications or even loss of the eye in question.
Another possible treatment is the corneal ulcer surgery in dogs. In it, the surgeon covers the eye with the third eyelid or a conjunctival flap. There are also lenses which can be placed with the same protective function while the ulcer heals. If the dog has the habit of touching itself, reaching its eyes, it will be essential to use a Elizabethan necklace.
Prevention
Unfortunately, corneal ulcers in dogs occur frequently, especially in brachycephalic races, like the french bulldog, the shih tzu and the pug. Identifying the signs of the problem early can prevent major problems and rule out the need for surgery. As this disease is commonly caused by trauma, one thing you can always pay attention to is deworming the animal and giving it adequate treatment for any skin disease it may develop. Avoiding constant itching around the eyes is an important ally in preventing a dog's eye ulcer.
indolent corneal ulcer
A type of corneal ulcer in dogs characterized by their slow healing is called indolent, common in boxer dogs, although it can also occur in other breeds and especially in older dogs. This ulcer occurs due to lack of a substance which is found between the outer and middle layers of the cornea and which acts as a glue.
This absence causes the epithelium to detach, giving rise to a concave ulcer. They are usually not accompanied by infection. Are treated with surgery to eliminate the affected epithelium and produce an abrasion that helps to bind the layers together. After surgery, it is treated in the same way as other corneal ulcers.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Corneal Ulcer in Dogs - Symptoms and Treatment, we recommend that you enter our Eye Problems section.