Home    Cattery            Staff            Contact             News      Exotics           Links    Information
                                                                           

CORNEAL ULCERS

What is the cornea?

The cornea is the clear part of the front of the eye through which the coloured iris can be seen.  Although transparent the cornea is composed of several different layers.

What is a corneal ulcer?

Theoretically a corneal ulcer is an erosion through the entire outer layer of epithelial cells.  If damage is only to the very superficial layers it is technically corneal erosion or corneal abrasion but for our purposes it can be regarded as a shallow ulcer.

How do I know if my dog has a corneal ulcer?

Corneal injuries are painful no matter whether it be a superficial abrasion or a deep injury such as a cat scratch.  The first sign you are likely to see is the eye being kept tightly shut.  Occasionally there is tearing – profuse watering of the eye and sometimes if the corneal injury is infected the discharge may be coloured or pus like.

What causes a corneal ulcer?

Trauma – injury is the most common cause.  This may simply be the result of what's known as blunt trauma, the itchy eye which the dog tries to relieve by rubbing on the carpet.  Other ulcers may start as the result of a cat scratch or injury from a grass seed or a scratch from a branch. Hot ash from a cigarette or irritating shampoo getting in the eye can also result in corneal ulceration.

Other causes include bacterial and viral infections.

Are some dogs more prone than others?

Dogs with very prominent eyes such as Boxers, Pekingese, Pugs etc. tend to suffer from more eye injuries.

Other breeds such as the Boxer, can inherit conditions such as epithelial dystrophy which leads to weakening of the cornea and the formation of painful ulcers.

Breeds such as the West Highland White Terrier can commonly suffer from a condition known as KCS, kerato conjunctivitis sica which results in lack of tear

secretion and hence a dry eye which due to loss of lubrication ends up with damage to the delicate cornea.

If my dog suddenly keeps his eye tightly shut, is there anything I can do?

It is better to be safe than sorry so an early visit to the vet is a wise precaution.  However gently bathing with cold water is a useful first aid measure, also it is worthwhile endeavouring to part the lids if your dog will allow you, just to see if there is a foreign body in the eye.

Sometimes grass seeds lodge under the lids and can be simply removed but nevertheless although this may  relieve the immediate pain, an urgent follow up visit  to the vet is still a wise precaution.

What is the treatment for a corneal ulcer?

This depends upon the severity.   Eye preparations in the form of ointments or drops are usually prescribed to prevent infection and relieve the pain and discomfort.  If the ulcer is fairly  deep there is always a risk that the eyeball could be perforated in which case your vet may suggest surgery.

Other treatments involve the use of special contact lenses to protect the ulcer and allow healing.  This, however, will be discussed with you after examination of the eye when special dyes may be inserted under a local anaesthetic in order to  show the extent of the ulceration.

Should I expect any side effects from treatment?

Some of the medications used, e.g. atropine, can be very bitter and since the medication can travel through the tear ducts to the back of the throat and be tasted.  Occasionally this will cause excessive salivation (drooling)  If this is excessive, contact us without delay.   If application of the medication appears to cause any discomfort, again contact us since occasionally a dog will be allergic to some of the drugs and we will want to know of this as soon as possible.

Is there any risk that the ulcer can get worse despite treatment?

Quite superficial abrasions will sometimes continue to develop and this is the reason why we ask you to come back in a few days so that we can examine the cornea using special instruments and dyes to show up the full extent of the ulcer.  Occasionally treatment has to be changed and surgery may have to be recommended.

As the ulcer heals, what should I look for?

During the healing a process called neovascularisation occurs.  This involves tiny blood vessels growing across the cornea from the sclera or white of the eye to aid the healing of the deep end.  Once healing has occurred  these vessels often remain and potentially can obstruct vision.  Therefore we may have to alter treatment in order to ensure that this does not become a problem.

These are the reasons why we emphasise that even the mildest injury or discomfort involving your dog's eye should never be ignored.  It is better to be safe than sorry.