Management Of Simple Corneal Ulcers Part 2 A simple non-infected ulcer should heal within 5 to 7 days. The owner should be shown where the ulcer is
Management Of Simple Corneal Ulcers Part 2
The ulcer shown in the photograph here is starting to develop infection. Note the yellowish discoloration of the corneal stroma.
A simple non-infected ulcer should heal within 5 to 7 days.
The owner should be shown where the ulcer is and how it appears. A drawing or diagram is ideal. The owners should then monitor the ulcer for signs of infection (cream to yellow colour in the cornea), a mucky discharge, and increasing depth (they can see a divot or hole developing at the site) and revisit immediately for more intensive therapy and possibly referral.
Breeds that have high complication rates for ulcers include any dog with prominent eyes and oversized eyelids. This means all the Brachycephalic breeds, particularly the Shih Tzu, Pug, and Pekingese are at increased risk. These breeds should always be checked 2 days after the initial appointment as even with the correct treatment, healing may not progress as expected.
This dog has a descemetocele, a conjunctival pedicle graft was placed into this defect.
We also recommend adding doxycyline to the protocol in these breeds even for what appears to be a simple ulcer. The usual dose is 2-5mg/kg BID and we often dispense a 10-15 day course. Doxycycline has multiple benefits with ulcers including promoting epithelialisation and being concentrated into the tears so flushing over the eye all day.
For more serious corneal ulcers – i.e. larger, deeper, more intensive treatment is required including doxycycline, possibly cyclosporin if keratitis is present and surgery – ranging from temporary tarsorrhaphy or TEF through to conjunctival grafting surgeries.
