You need help!! When Eye Drops Aren’t Enough for your dog's Eye.

Описание: Hi Everyone!

My name is Dan, and I am a veterinarian. Today I am sharing about how a vet may help fix a none healing ulcer in a dog.

Corneal Ulcers in Dogs:

A corneal ulcer is a painful open sore on the surface of the eye, specifically the cornea—the clear, outermost layer of the eyeball. These are fairly common in dogs and can vary from mild to severe.

Causes of Corneal Ulcers in Dogs:
Trauma: Scratches from a cat, stick, or rough play.
Foreign objects: Dust, grass seeds, or debris in the eye.
Chemical burns: Shampoos or cleaning agents.
Dry eye (KCS): Inadequate tear production.
Entropion: Inward rolling of the eyelids.
Infections: Bacterial, viral, or fungal.
Lagophthalmos: Inability to fully close the eyelids.

Symptoms to Watch For
Squinting or keeping the eye shut
Excessive tearing or discharge
Red or bloodshot eye
Cloudy appearance to the eye
Pawing at the face or eye
Visible indentation or irregularity on the eye surface (in advanced cases)

Diagnosis
Your vet will likely:
Use fluorescein stain to highlight ulcers under a blue light.
Examine the eye with an ophthalmoscope.
Possibly test for dry eye or glaucoma.

Treatment Options
Topical antibiotic eye drops/ointments
Pain relief: Often atropine drops or oral pain meds
E-collar: To prevent further trauma from scratching
Surgical intervention: Severe ulcers may require a conjunctival graft or corneal debridement
Anti-collagenase therapy (e.g., serum or special drops) for melting ulcers
NEVER use steroid drops if a corneal ulcer is present—they can worsen or perforate the eye.

Healing Time
Superficial ulcers: May heal in 3–7 days
Deeper or infected ulcers: May take weeks or require surgery

When to See a Vet Immediately
Sudden squinting or blinking
Eye looks cloudy, red, or has yellow/green discharge
Your dog is in obvious discomfort
The eye appears to bulge or has a visible hole or rupture

Grid Keratotomy or Diamond Burr

Grid keratotomy: The vet uses a fine needle or burr to create a grid-like pattern of tiny scratches in the exposed stroma (middle corneal layer).
This encourages healing by helping new epithelial cells "grab on" better.

Requires topical anesthesia but is typically not painful once completed.