P.O. Box 987
Valley Forge, PA 19482
(267) 249-5762
Non-Profit Corporation.
Dr. Anna Edling, Veterinarian Horsham Veterinary Hospital Horsham, PA Dr. Edling graduated from University of Pennsylvania in 1982, and has been in private small animal practice for 32 years. She owns multiple pets and also is a ferret specialist |
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 Eye
Ulcers (Part 1 of 2)Eye ulcers in dogs often occur as a result of some kind of trauma. The trauma can be as simple as brushing against a rough surface such as a piece of paper. More complicated ulcers can occur when caustic materials touch the cornea or when a penetrating injury to the eye occurs.
Simple ulcers usually involve the loss of one to two layers of cells on the cornea, and these will often heal within 2-5 days with the help of an antibiotic ophthalmic ointment. Atropine drops are often used to stop the spasms of the iris muscle, which cause pain.
During an exam of an eye that is ulcerated, flourescein stain is used to determine the extent of the ulcer. The stain will adhere to any part of the cornea that has been injured. The flourescein is used at recheck appointments as well, to monitor the progression of healing. Some dogs will need Elizabethan collars to keep them from rubbing the eye while it heals.
See your veterinarian as soon as possible if you suspect an eye injury has occurred.
Next month: How serious eye ulcers are managed. |
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