Canine Eye Ulcer

" A canine eye ulcer or ulcers in general are slowly healing sores. A dog eye ulcer usually occurs on the surface of the cornea. It is also called canine ulcerative keratitis or a canine corneal ulcer. A corneal ulcer can be superficial or as penetrated meaning that it has penetrated the cornea, causing irreversible complications if secondary bacterial infections are accompany the problem. Causes of a canine eye ulcer are mechanical in nature, such as dog eye scratches, nail injuries, chemicals or foreign objects. These problems cause ulceration over the surface of the cornea, which may penetrate into the cornea. Secondary bacterial infections may cause complete blindness in dogs. Pain, excessive tearing, inflammatory swelling, redness and development of blood vessels over the surface of eye indicate the presence of a canine eye ulcer. Diagnosis is done through a detailed clinical examination and observation along with laboratory tests for secondary infections. Canine eye ulcer treatment is based upon the status of the ulcer and is done with antibiotics and through the correction of any mechanical problem in the eye. Penetrated dog eye ulcers are harder to treat and may require advanced surgical approaches along with the use of antibiotics and drugs like such as atropine. Supportive remedies may help during the healing process, but are only recommended once the dog has recovered from infections and deeper ulcers. "

Causes of Dog Eye Ulcer:

In dogs, dog eye ulcers or corneal ulcer cases are reported to be caused by some mechanical reason. This can be nail injuries, scratches, foreign objects (debris, eyelashes), chemicals etc. which cause a discontinuity of epithelial tissues over the surface of the cornea. This discontinuity of epithelial tissues is simply referred to as an ulceration of the eye. A canine eye ulcer is a slow healing sore since the Corneal surface has no blood vessels, only nerve cells.

Diagram Dog Eye Anatomy
This picture is reprinted with permission by the copyright owner,  Hill's Pet Nutrition, from the Atlas of Veterinary Clinical Anatomy. These illustrations should not be downloaded, printed or copied except for personal, non-commercial use.

Anatomically, to have a dog cornea function properly, its surface should be free of any opacity, meaning that it should be truly transparent. Superficial epithelial tissues of the cornea not only act as a protective coating, but also ensures that light enters into the eye without any hindrances. Once this surface is scratched, injured or cellular continuity is disturbed, inflammation may occur. This discontinuity can spread to deeper tissues causing a hole in the cornea, which is referred to as a dog eye ulcer. Secondary infections can worsen the condition, and if the condition is not treated in a timely fashion, permanent loss of eye function, i.e. blindness may occur.

Symptoms of Dog Eye Ulcer:

Typical initial symptoms include excessive tearing, irritation and swelling along with redness of the eye. Some specific symptoms, such as an increase in the frequency of blinking and severe dog eye pain may indicate the presence of a canine eye ulcer.

Since the surface of the cornea has a rich nerve supply, pain is usually felt from a reflex action to the ulcer, but also due to any inflammatory response.

Clinically, a canine eye ulcer is identified by excessive dog eye blinking, pain, irregularity of the cornea and the development of blood vessels on the surface of the cornea. In advanced cases, a hole through the full-thickness of the dog cornea along with bacterial infections are noted.

The presence of a whitish layer of white blood cells and other inflammatory content at the margin of the cornea indicates that there is a secondary infection which needs to be treated immediately.

Diagnosis of Dog Eye Ulcer:

Clinical observation and examination is an initial tool for diagnosing an eye ulcer in a dog, along with a dog's history. A detailed examination usually reveals the problem through a technique called ulceration if done under slit lamp, but confirmation is usually done fluorescein staining.

Additionally, any dog eye discharge should be carefully examined and cultured in the laboratory for secondary bacterial growth. Any whitish layers on the corneal surface should be suspected as a bacterial infection.

Treatment of Dog Eye Ulcer:

Treatment is purely dependent upon the status of the ulcer. If the canine eye ulcer is only limited to the surface of the cornea with no bacterial growth, it can be simply treated by using preventive doses of antibiotics and atropine. Such forms of eye ulcer in dogs usually heals in 3 – 5 days.

But, if the eye ulcer has penetrated into the cornea, in such cases, bacterial growth is possible. If this happens, broad spectrum antibiotics administered topically and orally along with the use of atropine locally would be required. This would be along with the correction of any mechanical problems in the eye.

Minor to major surgical procedures may be required to correct any deformity and for anatomical support. This is often done to promote healing through epithelial tissue correction and attachment of the ulcer to conjunctival blood vessels to ease inflammatory response in the eye and early development of scars.

Supportive natural or herbal remedies such as Eye Heal to promote dog eye health and Immunity and Liver Support to strength the immune system can help the dog heal. However in dog eye ulcer cases these remedies should only be used once secondary infections and mechanical errors in the cornea of the eye are resolved. These remedies can enhance eye health and the healing process thereafter.

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References:

Merck Veterinary Manual (Merck & Co.)