Corneal ulcers in dogs – signs and what to do

What you can do now

1. Contact your vet ASAP.
2. Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
3. Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
4. Let your dog rest somewhere calm.

Don't

• Do not give any human medicine.
• Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

An eye ulcer is a wound on the front of the eye and can be very painful.^[1] Ulcers often appear suddenly and can get rapidly worse.^[1]

Signs

• A red, inflamed or bloodshot eye
• An obvious hole, crater or dip on the surface of the eye
• A closed eye or squinting
• Blinking more than usual
• A weepy eye
• A cloudy eye
• Scratching or rubbing at the face and eye
• Avoiding bright lights

Causes and risk factors

• Dry eye
• Injuries such as stick injuries or cat scratches
• Something stuck in the eye, such as a grass seed or grit
• Eyelid problems such as entropian
• Bacterial or viral eye infections
• Pug, Shih Tzu, Bulldog and Boxer dogs may be predisposed

How vets treat it

• A buster collar to prevent rubbing or scratching at the eye while it heals
• Surgery
• Antibiotics
• Anti-inflammatories
• Steroids
• Hospitalisation
• Eye drops or ointment
• Pain relief

Breeds prone to this

Veterinary charities list these breeds as more likely than others to get this condition. Each breed page lists the inherited conditions documented in the breed.

BoxerBulldogpugShih Tzu

What the experts say

“Red, inflamed, blood shot eye ; An obvious hole or crater on the surface of their eye ; Closed eye or squinting ; Blinking more than usual ; Weepy eye ; Cloudy eye ; Scratching and rubbing at the face and eye ; Avoiding bright lights”

Common questions

Other conditions in dogs

Cruciate ligament damageCushing's DiseaseDegenerative MyelopathyDemodex MitesDental DiseaseDiabetes mellitusDilated cardiomyopathyDistemperDry eyeEar infectionsEar MitesElbow dysplasia