Corneal Ulceration in Dogs

Corneal Ulceration in Dogs

By: Dr. Rhea Morgan

Section: Follow-up

Follow-up care of corneal ulcers is critical. Administer any prescribed medication(s) as directed and be certain to alert your veterinarian if you are experiencing problems treating your dog. Optimal follow-up veterinary care often involves the following:

  • Because uncomplicated ulcers often heal within seven days, all ulcers are rechecked within this time period. More serious ulcers or any ulcer that appears to worsen during treatment are checked sooner and more frequently. At the recheck examination, fluorescein stain is again used to outline the ulcer. Any ulcer that worsens despite appropriate therapy requires further investigation and may warrant referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist.

  • Recheck examinations may also be needed long after the ulcer has healed to monitor for the recurrence of underlying causes, particularly regrowth of eyelashes, possible return of normal blink responses, and changes in tear production.


  • In older dogs or boxer dogs of any age, certain superficial ulcers may persist for greater than 14 days and may be very difficult to resolve. Such ulcers are termed indolent ulcers or persistent corneal erosions. They require additional treatments from those listed above in order to heal.

     
    Printable Version
     
    Have a Pet Question?
    Send Your Pet Question to Dr. Jon
    and His Staff of Veterinarians Ask Dr. Jon
    Dr. Jon's Newsletter
    Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...
     
     

    Related Articles

    • 1 Cloudy Eye in Dogs

      A cloudy eye or increased opacity of the eye is associated with reduced transparency of either the cornea, the fluid media within the eye, or the lens that may or may not be associated with a reduction...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Red Eye in Dogs

      Eyes become reddened when blood vessels that are normally present in the white tissue surrounding the cornea or the pink tissue overlying the sclera and lining the eyelids become enlarged or filled with...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3 Epiphora (Excessive Tearing) in Dogs

      Epiphora is an abnormal overflow of tears down the face that results from either obstruction of tear drainage through the tear duct or overproduction of tears that overwhelms the normal drainage system....

      Read MoreRead More
    • Related Articles
    • 1 Epiphora (Excessive Tearing) in Dogs

      Epiphora is an abnormal overflow of tears down the face that results from either obstruction of tear drainage through the tear duct or overproduction of tears that overwhelms the normal drainage system....

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Cloudy Eye in Dogs

      A cloudy eye or increased opacity of the eye is associated with reduced transparency of either the cornea, the fluid media within the eye, or the lens that may or may not be associated with a reduction...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3 Red Eye in Dogs

      Eyes become reddened when blood vessels that are normally present in the white tissue surrounding the cornea or the pink tissue overlying the sclera and lining the eyelids become enlarged or filled with...

      Read MoreRead More
     

    Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

    Dogs & Puppies
    Cats
    Related Articles
    • 1 Epiphora (Excessive Tearing) in Dogs

      Epiphora is an abnormal overflow of tears down the face that results from either obstruction of tear drainage through the tear duct or overproduction of tears that overwhelms the normal drainage system....

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Cloudy Eye in Dogs

      A cloudy eye or increased opacity of the eye is associated with reduced transparency of either the cornea, the fluid media within the eye, or the lens that may or may not be associated with a reduction...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3 Red Eye in Dogs

      Eyes become reddened when blood vessels that are normally present in the white tissue surrounding the cornea or the pink tissue overlying the sclera and lining the eyelids become enlarged or filled with...

      Read MoreRead More
    Advertisement
    Advertisement