What You Need to Know about Corneal Ulcers in Pets

Our eyes – we take them for granted until something goes wrong! Because it is such a complex, sensitive structure, eye injuries must be taken seriously and treated immediately. This is true for both human beings and their pets, since our eyes are very similar. Like their owners, dogs and cats have corneas, which are transparent coverings that protect the iris and the pupil. When this delicate body part is subject to ulcers, it can be quite painful. Often caused by calcium or lipid deposits, corneal degeneration can cause extreme sensitivity and discomfort, especially in our pets who often suffer in silence. It’s not that their owners are inattentive, but that the disorder can be difficult to discern. In this article we will discuss this all-too-common condition and how to treat it.

The Signs of Corneal Ulcers in Pets

If your dog or cat’s eyes are tearing up or overflowing excessively, it could mean he has a corneal ulcer, also called ulcerative keratitis. Of course, it could also mean that he simply has seasonal allergies. Once again, the symptoms of the disorder are quite general, which is why it often goes undiagnosed. With that said, if your pet has more than one of the following symptoms, there’s a pretty good chance his cornea has been damaged or scratched:

  • Red, irritated eye
  • Constant squinting
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Watery eye
  • Rubbing at eyes with a paw or into the coat
  • Eye is forced closed
  • Unidentified discharge
  • Opaque film covering the eye

Causes of Corneal Ulcers in Pets

The good news is that ulcers can heal rather quickly. But when serious damage has been done, either because of injury or disease, the transparent cells may not heal without immediate medical treatment. The following are the most common reason you may have to take your pet to his doctor if he suffers corneal degeneration:

  • Traumatic injury
  • Tear deficiency
  • Infection
  • Damage or paralysis of facial nerves
  • Cannot close eyelids
  • Something in the eye that cannot be rinsed out
  • Chemical substance causing irritation

At-risk breeds of Corneal Ulcers

It is also important to mention that certain breeds of cats and dogs are far more likely to suffer from corneal degeneration.  Why does this happen? There are several reasons including mechanical and structural ones. Some breeds, for example, have eyelids that tend to roll inward, which causes their eyelashes to swipe the corneal surface, causing immediate irritation. Others have protuberant eyes that actually stick out, making them more susceptible to environmental debris such as dirt and dust.

Although some cat breeds are at a slightly elevated risk of corneal degeneration, certain dog breeds are far more like to suffer from it. As a group, these are canines that tend to have very short noses or snouts and prominent, protuberant eyes. They include breeds like the pug, the boxer, the Boston terrier, the bulldog, and the Pekingese. Boxers, in particular, have a much higher risk of developing severe, debilitating cases of this disease than any other dogs.

Diagnosis of Corneal Ulcers in Pets

If you suspect your furry friend has corneal ulcers, you should make an appointment with his veterinarian as soon as possible. A thorough eye examination that includes inspection of the cornea will be conducted to confirm or rule out any structural damage that is the result of an ulcer or corneal erosion. It may also be necessary for his doctor to take samples and test them for fungi and bacteria infection, which are typically caused by conjunctivitis. Finally, the veterinarian may need to complete a blood test to rule out possible viral infections in your pet.

Treatment of Corneal Ulcers in Pets

As with most illnesses, the treatment depends on the underlying cause. If the corneal ulcers are deep and they are growing, your veterinarian may recommend surgery, although this should be considered a last resort. With older animals, who are the most commonly affected group, surgery can be quite risky.  Instead, your dogs/cat’s doctor might simply opt to put a large, lampshade-shaped collar on him/her to prevent them from scratching at the affected eye and aggravating the injury.

If the ulcers are merely superficial, your vet may simply take a cotton swap and use it to remove the outer, loose layers of the cornea that are causing the irritation.  This is often a quick-fix option that provides only temporary relief, but it is far less risky than actual surgery. In fact, managing corneal ulcers rather than curing them is the most popular option, especially for older dogs and cats.

Remend Corneal Repair Drops for Pets

In the event of a bacterial infection, antibiotics must be prescribed and are often applied topically, directly to the eye. Pain and inflammation can be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as prescribed by your pet’s veterinarian. Eye drops like Remend Corneal Repair Drops may also be used to soothe irritated eye and to stimulate tear production. For additional products to improve your beloved pets’ peepers, check out our selection of eye health products for dogs and cats.

 

 

What Prescription Pet Medicines Can Help Corneal Ulcers in Dogs

Because of genetics, dogs tend to have more eye problems than cats. According to experts, canines have a larger field of vision, but felines see much better up-close. Dogs cannot clearly focus on objects more than ten inches away. But since they evolved as hunters, both animals rely more on motion than on clarity or focus. In terms of overall vision measured by human standards, cats see better than dogs in all lighting conditions, including low light.

And when it comes to eye health, dogs tend to have more problems as they age. One of the most common and debilitating disease is ulcerative keratitis, also known as corneal ulcers. In this article we will discuss the signs and symptoms of the condition, as well as effective treatment options.

What is the dog’s cornea?

When it comes to basic structure and anatomy, the eyes of man and his best friend aren’t all that different. Both contain corneas, which are transparent parts covering and protecting the iris and pupil. The cornea also admits light and is extremely sensitive to environmental pollutants.  Ulcers which form on corneas are classified as either shallow or deep.

Causes of Corneal Ulcers in Dogs

There are many reasons why your canine friend may develop corneal ulcers, including infectious bacteria, bee stings, pawing, tear deficiency, trauma, facial paralysis, or irritation caused by something stuck in the eye. The discomfort level of this condition ranges from minor irritation to extreme pain.

Symptoms of Corneal Ulcers in Dogs

Because it is incredibly sensitive, the cornea will react to the smallest of foreign bodies.  More often than not, the eye will produce more tears to try to soothe the aggravation. Irritation may also cause redness, squinting, and sensitivity to light. Your pet may also try to rub at the eye with his or her paws in a vain attempt to achieve relief. In serious cases, there may be a noticeable discharge and a film may form over the eye.

Certain Dog Breeds are More Susceptible to Corneal Ulcers

As we mentioned earlier, dogs are more susceptible to genetic disorders and anomalies than cats. Because some dogs have eyelids that tend to roll inward, their eyelashes may come in frequent contact with their corneas, which can cause irritation. Pugs, boxers, bulldogs, and Boston Terriers are just a few of the breeds more likely to have this problem.

Diagnosis of Corneal Ulcers in Dogs

An experienced veterinarian is quite capable of diagnosing corneal ulcers with a simple eye exam. If your pet’s veterinarian needs to get a closer look, the use of diagnostic dyes to search for corneal ulcers or erosions may be used. When there is no noticeable damage, your pet’s veterinarian may take a sample and test it for bacteria and fungi. Blood tests may also be completed in order to rule out serious viral infections.

Treatment of Corneal Ulcers in Dogs

Common treatments for ulcers range from eye drops to surgery. Your veterinarian’s recommendation depends on the underlying cause. If the ulcers are found to be deep and growing, surgery may be the only option. However, this can be avoided with early detection and proper treatment. Catching ulcers early when they are merely superficial makes all the difference.

Antibiotics and other eye medications may also be applied topically onto the eye. Most are designed to stimulate tear production, which has a soothing effect on the eye and may expedite recovery. If your dog is in pain, the veterinarian may prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication.

Remend Corneal Repair Drops

Remend Available at VetRxDirect

One of the newest drugs for injuries to the cornea is hyaluronan corneal repair drops. Hyaluronan supports dogs’ natural repair system by providing the optimal environment for healing.

If your dog has protuberant eyes, there’s a good chance tears will not be able to reach the center of the eyes. This can and often does result in dryness, which can cause irritation. Many times, your pet’s veterinarian will recommend artificial eye drops or ointment to increase eye lubrication. Other pets are simply born with tear ducts that are deficient in some way. This can cause Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, also known as dry eye. The most effective and affordable way to deal with this issue is to apply prescription cyclosporine eye ointment as directed by your dog’s veterinarian. Without proper care of dry eye, this problem can lead to corneal ulcers in dogs.

As we mentioned, the drugs your veterinarian will prescribe depend on the underlying

Ciprofloxacin Eye Drops for Pets

Ciprofloxacin Eye Drops Available at VetRxDirect

cause of the condition.  Ciprofloxacin is used primarily to treat bacterial eye infections in both dogs and cats. This powerful antibiotic is sold in drop form and must be used as directed. Although often more docile and obedient than cats, some dogs will resist the application, which must be administered on a regular basis. If you have difficulty applying these eye drops, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your pet’s veterinarian will show you how to apply the drops without much fuss. Also be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before applying any eye medication. Failure to do so could result in increased irritation and recovery times.

Has your dog suffered from Corneal Ulcers or Dry Eye? What products did your veterinarian suggest or prescribe? What successes did you have with these pet meds? Let us know by adding your comments below to share your experiences with other readers who have dogs with eye problems.

Thank you,

Wes