What is corneal ulcer in dogs and how is it treated?

Corneal ulcers are a common problem in dogs and cats and can cause a number of complications if left untreated. The appearance of ulcers (ulcers) on the cornea (ulcerative keratitis) is a condition characterized by damage to one or more layers of the cornea.

What is a cornea?

The cornea is a transparent structure on the front part of the eye that enables the projection of an image on the neurosensory part of the eye (retina). It has no blood vessels and is supplied with oxygen from tears and intraocular fluid. Due to its structure (thickness is 0.5 mm), the cornea is very sensitive to trauma and insufficient oxygenation.

Since many bacteria normally live on its surface, any damage to its structure can result in a rapid bacterial infection. Corneal ulcers can be shallow, (only the surface layer) or can be very deep, damaging almost all layers. Shallow ulcers are usually treated medically, while deep ulcers may require surgery.

What are the most common causes and what are the symptoms of corneal ulcers?

The most common cause of corneal ulcers is poor quality or insufficient amount of tears, which is often present in dogs with seasonal allergies or food allergies. Changes in the anatomy of the eyelids or foreign bodies in the eye are also common causes of ulcers. Symptoms usually include blinking, redness of the eyes and discharge from the eyes, sensitivity to light and blurring (cloudy or bluish eye color). If they are recognized early, most ulcers will not heal quickly with frequent local therapy.

Deep ulcers are almost always infected and usually require surgical treatment. Corneal ulcers, which destroy more than 60-70% of its structure, usually require surgical treatment with the aim of restoring the integrity of this eye structure, which prevents eye loss.

Shallow ulcers usually heal within 5-7 days. If complete healing does not occur within 7-10 days, these ulcers become incurable or indolent. Indolent ulcers cannot be cured by medical therapy alone, but require "Diamond Burr Debridement" or surgical treatment.

It is very important to prevent rubbing of the injured eyes, and this is achieved by using a protective collar. Excessive scratching of the paws of an already injured eye can cause greater damage to the cornea and transfer a large number of bacteria from the paws to the eye.

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