Corneal Ulcers in Dogs
Written by Small Door's medical experts
When the cornea is damaged through scratching or abrasion, a corneal ulcer may occur. A healthy cornea is important for proper vision, so any damage to your dog’s cornea should be addressed immediately. Learning the signs and symptoms of corneal ulcers in dogs can help you catch and treat this issue before it becomes more severe and possibly permanent vision loss.
In This Article
The cornea is the clear outer layer of a dog’s eye. While it serves to protect the inner eye, the cornea itself can become damaged or infected.
A corneal ulcer is an open sore in the cornea that exposes the inner layers of the eye. While the most common cause of corneal ulcers in dogs is injury, they can also be a result of an eye infection. Corneal ulcers can worsen with time, and if left untreated, can result in vision loss or even blindness.
The cornea has three layers:
Epithelium: the outermost layer, consisting of a very thin layer of skin cells
Stroma: the main supportive tissue of the cornea, located beneath the epithelium
Descemet’s membrane: the deepest layer of the cornea
Corneal ulcers can either be superficial, which involves damage to the epithelium, or deep, extending into or through the stroma, resulting in severe scarring and corneal perforation.
Descemetocele in dogs
The most severe type of corneal ulcer is called “descemetocele” where the two upper layers (epithelium and stroma) are absent and the ulcer has reached the descemet, the deepest membrane of the eye. In the event of a descemetocele, the corneal ulcer will be visible as a divot in the eye, along with the eye having a gray appearance.
The most common symptom of corneal ulcers is discomfort. A dog with a corneal ulcer will be in pain, and rub at the affected eye or keep it shut. If you notice a change in one or both of your dog’s eyes, or your dog begins showing some of the following physical signs, contact your veterinarian immediately:
Light sensitivity (photophobia)
Keeping the eye completely shut
Excessive tearing
Frequent blinking or squinting
Cloudy cornea
Rubbing of the eye with their paw or on the carpet
Redness in the whites of the eye
White, yellow, or green discharge (if there is an infection)
Corneal ulcers are one of the most common eye diseases in dogs, with various possible causes. Physical trauma from playing or fighting is the most frequent cause – because the cornea is the outermost layer of the eye, it is prone to damage. Some ways a dog can develop a corneal ulcer include:
Contact with sharp objects like plants, thorns, or bushes that can cause a laceration
Scratches from another animal
Ingrown eyelashes
Exposure to heat or smoke
Chemical irritants such as shampoo, drywall, or dust
Any foreign object that becomes stuck under the eyelid, causing a scratch
Breed disposition
Although not as common, corneal ulcers can also develop due to bacterial and viral infections, as well as other diseases that either originate in the eye or as a secondary disease elsewhere in the body. These may include:
Epithelial dystrophy: a weakening of the cornea
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, aka “dry eye”: drying of the cornea due to decreased tear production
Endocrine (hormonal) diseases: diabetes mellitus, Cushing’s disease, and hypothyroidism
Certain breeds of dogs have a predisposition to getting corneal ulcers which includes:
Boston Terriers
Boxers
French Bulldogs
Pugs
Any dog breeds with flat faces can be more susceptible to corneal ulceration due to the shape/construction of their facial folds and eyelids, and because their eyes tend to protrude more than the eyes of longer-nosed dogs.
Not all corneal ulcers are easily visible to the naked eye, so specialized testing is necessary. One of the most common tests involves a temporary fluorescein stain placed directly on the cornea. If there is damage, the stain will turn green and stick to the surface of the damaged area.
In cases where the ulcer is either acute or superficial, this will result in a diagnosis. If the ulcer is chronic or deeper, samples may need to be taken from the cornea for cell study prior to applying the stain or other medication.
Superficial corneal ulcers should heal rather easily. There is always a risk of infection, so a topical antibiotic is usually prescribed. In addition, your vet may also prescribe something to help ease your dog’s pain.
In some cases, procedures or surgical intervention may be necessary in order to remove dead or poorly healing layers of corneal tissue to promote healing. (There are many techniques, but the current best-in-class option is called the Diamond Burr Debridement.) Another potential procedure would be a corneal graft.
The extent of the damage and depth of the corneal ulcer, as well as the speed of healing, will guide your vet in choosing the best procedure for optimal results.
Can a dog’s eye ulcer heal on its own?
Superficial dog eye ulcers may heal on their own, but topical antibiotics are often recommended to reduce the risk of infection and further damage to the eye. More severe ulcers will not go away on their own and will require veterinary treatment.
Is there a home remedy for treating my dog’s eye ulcer?
Unfortunately, there is not a home remedy for treating canine eye ulcers. If the ulcer doesn’t require surgery, your veterinarian will give you prescription antibiotic eye drops, and instructions for administering the eyedrops to your dog.
Most corneal ulcers will not be visible to the naked eye. Your veterinarian can perform additional fluorescein stain tests and measure the size of the ulcer to track the healing process for you. If visible symptoms like redness, swelling, and tearing begin to subside, the corneal ulcer is likely getting better.
Is there a cure for corneal ulcers in dogs?
With proper treatment and care, corneal ulcers are curable in all but the most extreme cases.
What is the cost of treating corneal ulcers?
In addition to the fees associated with a vet office visit and diagnostic testing, the cost to treat corneal ulcers depends on a variety of factors, including the size of the ulceration and breed of animal. Boxers, for example, are notorious for coming down with very stubborn ulcers. Costs can vary from a few hundred dollars to $1,000 to $2,000 if more advanced procedures or surgical interventions are required, or if the ulcer progresses from a simple ulcer to a more chronic one (also known as an indolent ulcer).
Keep in mind that costs will also vary by geographic location. Bigger cities have higher costs of living, which extend to veterinary care.
Healing time depends on factors such as the cause of the ulcer, the size, the location, and depth. Once treatment has begun, the healing process usually takes between one and two weeks, but in more difficult cases can be as long as several months. A follow-up visit to check on the eye should be scheduled. Your vet may need to re-stain the eye to determine if it has fully healed.
Some dogs will naturally want to rub or paw at their eyes; to prevent any additional trauma, an Elizabethan collar (cone) may need to be worn until the ulcer has fully healed.
Many corneal ulcers are simply caused by accidents, as when the eye is scratched during play or on a walk; therefore, they can be difficult to prevent. But you can keep a close eye on your pet when they’re playing with other animals, and avoid areas that contain low brush or thorns when you go on walks. Fast intervention, as soon as you notice anything wrong with your pet’s eyes, is the best approach to a speedy recovery.
Try to avoid letting dogs stick their heads out of car windows, as flying debris can damage their eyes. Finally, if allergies or other factors are causing your dog to scratch or rub their eyes, take them to a vet; self-trauma is a common cause of corneal ulcers.
Is there a vaccine for corneal ulcers in dogs?
No, there is no vaccine that prevents corneal ulcers.
Corneal ulcers are painful, and if not treated promptly, they can cause permanent vision loss, so it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms. Whenever you notice something amiss with one or both of your dog’s eyes, you should get them checked by the vet straight away. To minimize the risk of an eye injury, try to avoid outdoor areas with low branches, and thorns, and do your best to make sure your dog doesn’t scratch or rub at their eyes.
