How do dogs get eye ulcers?
Dog eye ulcers can be a very serious medical condition, and in extreme cases if left untreated, an eye ulcer and cause partial or complete blindness in dogs. By definition, an eye ulcer is any wound or cut on the surface of the cornea. While most eye ulcers only breach the surface of the eye, more serious ones can extend all the way to the Descemet’s membrane of the eye.
There are many different ways in which a dog can get an eye ulcer. Some of the most common ways dogs get eye ulcers is from playing aggressively with dogs, getting leaves or thorns stuck in their eye from running through the woods, dust or mold particles in the air, and in the worst cases, scratches from cats.
Signs a dog eye ulcer is healing
Before: When a dog first develops an eye ulcer, they will most likely experience intense pain on their eyeball. They will usually start squinting a lot in order to alleviate the pain. This in turn will cause your dog’s eyes to become watery and most likely will develop a reddish color.
At the spot of the ulcer, there will be a swollen bump that is usually a greenish, glossy color. In more serious cases, your dog will start to have discharge from their eyes. If your dog is experiencing any of the symptoms above, you should take them to the vet immediately. The quicker you treat an eye ulcer in dogs, the better the chance of a full recovery.
After signs that a dog eye ulcer is healing: Most dog ulcer’s are not deep cuts, and will usually heal after a week or week and a half. A healing ulcer will start to reduce in size. Additionally, your dog will likely stop squinting as much, and their eye should not be too watery. You should also see a visible change in your dog’s behavior, as they should be in a lot less pain.
It is important to note that most superficial eye ulcers are not very visible to the naked eye. In order to ensure that the ulcer is completely gone, you must take them in for an examination at the vet. The vet will put a solution called fluorescein into your dog’s eye, and the solution will show if the eye ulcer is still present.
Before and After Signs a Dog Eye Ulcer is Healing
Below is a picture of before and after of a dog eye ulcer.
How to treat an eye ulcer in dog
The treatment of an eye ulcer in dogs is dependent on how deep the ulcer is. If it is just on the surface of the cornea, you can usually treat it with a combination of antibiotics and eye drops. These both help reduce inflammation and protect your dog from developing an infection.
We also recommended putting a cone around your dog so to prevent them from scratching their eye with their paws. More serious eye ulcers will need to be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, as well as stronger antibiotics such as penicillin. These types of ulcers can take multiple weeks to heal. It is very important that you treat eye ulcers as quickly as possible. If left untreated, the ulcer can cause the eye to rupture, and can eventually lead to blindness.
Products to help prevent and treat an eye ulcer in dog
Below are the two best products you can use in order to prevent dog eye health and prevent eye ulcers from forming in your dog. Both of these products help disinfect your dog’s eye and prevent bacteria growth.
Coco and Luna Eye Support for Dogs
Vetericyn Plus All Animal Eye Wash
