How to Diagnose Canine Corneal Ulcers
Be mindful of your dog rubbing her eye., Monitor for squinting., Look for watery eyes., Check for red or cloudy eyes., Look for discharge., Notice eye sensitivity., Know that these symptoms are nonspecific., Look at your dog’s eye., Take your dog to...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Be mindful of your dog rubbing her eye.
Ulcers can be difficult to see with the naked eye.
Since corneal ulcers are painful, your first clue that there is a problem is that the dog’s eye will bother her because it hurts.
A typical sign of a painful eye is rubbing at the eye.
Your dog might do this by rubbing the affected side of the face along the ground or rubbing at the eye with a paw. -
Step 2: Monitor for squinting.
In addition to rubbing her eye, your dog might squint with that eye, holding it partially closed.
To determine if your dog is squinting, look at the dog straight on and compare the size of both eyes.
If one eye looks smaller than the other, then the dog may be squinting. , The discomfort and pain may also cause the eye to water.
Sometimes the area beneath the affected eye may be wet or damp., If the dog has a corneal ulcer, the white of the eye may look reddened.
Another sign is that the normally clear surface of the cornea may take on a cloudy or milky appearance.This might look like a film over the eye., A corneal ulcer may also cause a discharge from the eye.
Your dog may exhibit a bloody discharge or a pus-filled discharge.This discharge may accumulate in the corner of the eye, nearest her nose. , Because of the pain and discomfort, your dog may display a sensitivity to light.
She may shy away from bright lights, or squint when in well lit areas.Your dog may also keep the affected eye closed., All of these signs are nonspecific.
This means that reasons other than a corneal ulcer can cause similar symptoms, such as allergies, infection, trauma, or inflammation.
However, they are all signs of ocular discomfort so regardless of the cause, the dog needs to see a vet in order to diagnose the problem and be relieved of pain., If you have good eyesight, then it can be useful to closely inspect the surface of the eye to look for broken or shattered reflections.
If a corneal ulcer is present, the smooth surface of the cornea will have a disruption.
This may be visible in good light and look like a jump, shatter, or kink in a reflection.If the surface of the eye looks misty, frosted, or you can see jumps in reflections, then the eye needs checking by a vet. , If you believe your dog has eye trauma, take her to the vet.
The vet will look at both eyes to determine which eye is the problem, and how inflamed or sore it is.The vet will also examine the eyelids and eyelashes to look for anything that might be rubbing on the surface of the cornea, such as an inturned eyelash, which could rub and cause an ulcer. , The definitive test for a corneal ulcer is a test which uses a special dye that changes color in the presence of damaged corneal epithelia.
The dye, fluorescein, is orange but turns green and stains exposed epithelia.The vet will place a few drops of fluorescein into the eye, and wipe away the excess with dampened cotton wool.
The eye is then observed both with and without magnification.
A corneal ulcer will stain green, and will show the size, depth, and shape of the corneal ulcer. , Sometimes pinpoint ulcers can be difficult to see, even with fluorescein.
If this is the case, your vet can perform a UV light test on your dog.
Your vet will switch off the lights so the room is dark, and then he’ll shining a UV light source onto the eye.
This will make the fluorescein dye fluoresce, which makes it easier to see., Some ulcers heal spontaneously within five to seven days.
Treatment is needed to prevent secondary infections, which could slow healing, and because it's not possible to know if the ulcer will heal on its own.The vet will probably give your dog eye drops containing antibiotics that should be used two to four times a day, or drops which form a protective bandage layer over the surface of the cornea.It is important to prevent the dog from rubbing her eye, so wearing a cone collar may be necessary.
Keeping follow-up appointments is essential since the health of your dog's eye is at stake.
A small percentage of ulcers are resistant to treatment and may require a surgical procedure., The cornea is a clear membrane made up of layers in the eye that lets light pass unimpeded into the eye for it to be processed.An ulcer is damage to the outer layer of the cornea.
Untreated, this can erode deeper and if it eats through one of the inner layers, the eye may perforate.A shallow ulcer is the equivalent of a scrape or scuff to your skin.
The deeper the ulcer, the more layers are damaged. , Certain conditions can cause your dog to get a corneal ulcer.
Scratches and other injury to the eye is the most common reason ulcers arise.
Ingrown eyelashes, dirt and other material in the eye, and chemicals can injure the eye and cause an ulcer.
Smoke and infection also can cause corneal ulcers., Since eye trauma can happen to any dog, you need to watch your dog in certain conditions.
Dogs that get excitable easily can be at risk of injuring their eye.
Dogs that fight, especially cats, can get an ulcer.
Dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors running through underbrush, like hunting dogs, can injure their eyes., All dogs can get a corneal ulcer.
However, certain breeds with prominent eyes and flat, smooshed faces are at a higher risk because of the tendency of eyelashes to irritate their corneas.
The breeds at most risk are:
Pugs Bulldog Boston Terrier Boxer Shih Tzu Pekingese -
Step 3: Look for watery eyes.
-
Step 4: Check for red or cloudy eyes.
-
Step 5: Look for discharge.
-
Step 6: Notice eye sensitivity.
-
Step 7: Know that these symptoms are nonspecific.
-
Step 8: Look at your dog’s eye.
-
Step 9: Take your dog to the vet.
-
Step 10: Get a dye test.
-
Step 11: Ask for a UV light test.
-
Step 12: Get your dog the proper treatment.
-
Step 13: Understand what a corneal ulcer is.
-
Step 14: Identify the causes.
-
Step 15: Watch active dogs closely.
-
Step 16: Know which breeds are at a higher risk.
Detailed Guide
Ulcers can be difficult to see with the naked eye.
Since corneal ulcers are painful, your first clue that there is a problem is that the dog’s eye will bother her because it hurts.
A typical sign of a painful eye is rubbing at the eye.
Your dog might do this by rubbing the affected side of the face along the ground or rubbing at the eye with a paw.
In addition to rubbing her eye, your dog might squint with that eye, holding it partially closed.
To determine if your dog is squinting, look at the dog straight on and compare the size of both eyes.
If one eye looks smaller than the other, then the dog may be squinting. , The discomfort and pain may also cause the eye to water.
Sometimes the area beneath the affected eye may be wet or damp., If the dog has a corneal ulcer, the white of the eye may look reddened.
Another sign is that the normally clear surface of the cornea may take on a cloudy or milky appearance.This might look like a film over the eye., A corneal ulcer may also cause a discharge from the eye.
Your dog may exhibit a bloody discharge or a pus-filled discharge.This discharge may accumulate in the corner of the eye, nearest her nose. , Because of the pain and discomfort, your dog may display a sensitivity to light.
She may shy away from bright lights, or squint when in well lit areas.Your dog may also keep the affected eye closed., All of these signs are nonspecific.
This means that reasons other than a corneal ulcer can cause similar symptoms, such as allergies, infection, trauma, or inflammation.
However, they are all signs of ocular discomfort so regardless of the cause, the dog needs to see a vet in order to diagnose the problem and be relieved of pain., If you have good eyesight, then it can be useful to closely inspect the surface of the eye to look for broken or shattered reflections.
If a corneal ulcer is present, the smooth surface of the cornea will have a disruption.
This may be visible in good light and look like a jump, shatter, or kink in a reflection.If the surface of the eye looks misty, frosted, or you can see jumps in reflections, then the eye needs checking by a vet. , If you believe your dog has eye trauma, take her to the vet.
The vet will look at both eyes to determine which eye is the problem, and how inflamed or sore it is.The vet will also examine the eyelids and eyelashes to look for anything that might be rubbing on the surface of the cornea, such as an inturned eyelash, which could rub and cause an ulcer. , The definitive test for a corneal ulcer is a test which uses a special dye that changes color in the presence of damaged corneal epithelia.
The dye, fluorescein, is orange but turns green and stains exposed epithelia.The vet will place a few drops of fluorescein into the eye, and wipe away the excess with dampened cotton wool.
The eye is then observed both with and without magnification.
A corneal ulcer will stain green, and will show the size, depth, and shape of the corneal ulcer. , Sometimes pinpoint ulcers can be difficult to see, even with fluorescein.
If this is the case, your vet can perform a UV light test on your dog.
Your vet will switch off the lights so the room is dark, and then he’ll shining a UV light source onto the eye.
This will make the fluorescein dye fluoresce, which makes it easier to see., Some ulcers heal spontaneously within five to seven days.
Treatment is needed to prevent secondary infections, which could slow healing, and because it's not possible to know if the ulcer will heal on its own.The vet will probably give your dog eye drops containing antibiotics that should be used two to four times a day, or drops which form a protective bandage layer over the surface of the cornea.It is important to prevent the dog from rubbing her eye, so wearing a cone collar may be necessary.
Keeping follow-up appointments is essential since the health of your dog's eye is at stake.
A small percentage of ulcers are resistant to treatment and may require a surgical procedure., The cornea is a clear membrane made up of layers in the eye that lets light pass unimpeded into the eye for it to be processed.An ulcer is damage to the outer layer of the cornea.
Untreated, this can erode deeper and if it eats through one of the inner layers, the eye may perforate.A shallow ulcer is the equivalent of a scrape or scuff to your skin.
The deeper the ulcer, the more layers are damaged. , Certain conditions can cause your dog to get a corneal ulcer.
Scratches and other injury to the eye is the most common reason ulcers arise.
Ingrown eyelashes, dirt and other material in the eye, and chemicals can injure the eye and cause an ulcer.
Smoke and infection also can cause corneal ulcers., Since eye trauma can happen to any dog, you need to watch your dog in certain conditions.
Dogs that get excitable easily can be at risk of injuring their eye.
Dogs that fight, especially cats, can get an ulcer.
Dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors running through underbrush, like hunting dogs, can injure their eyes., All dogs can get a corneal ulcer.
However, certain breeds with prominent eyes and flat, smooshed faces are at a higher risk because of the tendency of eyelashes to irritate their corneas.
The breeds at most risk are:
Pugs Bulldog Boston Terrier Boxer Shih Tzu Pekingese
About the Author
Jeffrey Powell
Enthusiastic about teaching hobbies techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: