Dr. Mike: Hello! I’m Dr. Mike. A corneal ulcer is a common problem
diagnosed by veterinarians in dogs and cats of all ages. There are
many causes and types of ulcers. In most cases, a prognosis with
early treatment is extremely good. To learn more about corneal
ulcers, we’re going to meet with Dr. Douglas Esson, who is board
certified in veterinary ophthalmology.
Dr. Douglas Esson: The cornea is the clear windshield of the eye. And the cornea ulcer
really simply describes a wound or defect in any of the layers of
the cornea.
There are many different causes of corneal ulcers. They may result
from exposure of the cornea, deficiencies in the tear film, trauma,
abnormal eyelids, hairs growing from abnormal eyelids and
detergents or shampoos. Typically animals with large and
prominent eyes such as Lazo Shit Tzu and Pugs, as well as cats
like Himalayans and Persians are more prone to corneal
ulcerations.
Clinical signs of corneal ulceration typically result from the pain
associated with this process. They may include squinting or
redness of the eye, excessive tearing or rubbing of the eye. If you
think your pet is affected by the corneal ulcer, you should have it
examined immediately by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will
examine the eye using some form of magnification and typically
some form of corneal stain in order to determine the extent of the
ulcer.
Since there are many different types of corneal ulceration, there are
many treatments that are appropriate. Simple or traumatic ulcers
maybe managed with topical medications alone. Chronic or
indolent ulcers may require medical procedures in order to
stimulate healing and extreme or dangerously deep corneal ulcers
may require surgical intervention.
When managing a corneal ulcer, pets are typically treated for ten to
fourteen days using topical medications. In many cases, a
protective collar will be used to prevent your pet from traumatizing
the eye while it heals. In most cases, the prognosis for resolution is
excellent.
Dr. Mike Dr. Esson gave us an excellent overview of corneal ulcers. If you
think your pet is showing signs of the corneal ulcer, you need to
bring it to the attention of your veterinarian as soon as possible.
The earlier that it’s diagnosed and treated, the better the prognosis.
I’m Dr. Mike and thanks for watching.
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