Painful Spots on a Shih Tzu's Eye After Grooming
by A reader
A painful, gooey, half-closed eye a day or two after grooming is often a scratch or ulcer on the cornea (the clear front of the eye) from shampoo, a dryer, clippers or a hair. Shih Tzus have prominent eyes that are easily injured. A red spot can be a small bleed or blood vessels growing in to heal an ulcer, and a white spot can be the ulcer itself or scarring.
Cancer is possible but less likely with a sudden painful start like this. Ask your vet whether they did a stain test, which shows a scratch or ulcer, and ask about a referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist if it doesn't improve quickly.
Please keep him from rubbing the eye and go back to your vet soon, today if the eye is getting worse. Deep ulcers in this breed can get worse fast. Don't use leftover drops, especially any with a steroid, unless the vet says they are safe.
See dog eye injuries.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Eye.
