How to Treat a Dog Corneal Abrasion

Injuries to a dog's eye may lead to blindness.

The cornea, the clear part that covers the eye, provides protection to the eye. Injuries to the cornea produce severe pain, according to WebMD. Untreated abrasions to the canine eye, typically called corneal ulcer or erosion, may deepen, develop an infected or cause the eyeball to rupture, warns North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Proper treatment of corneal abrasions in canines is a must.

Things You'll Need

• Leash
• Collar
• Saline (optional)
• Muzzle (optional)
• Medications
• Restrictive collar or neck brace (optional)

Instructions

1. Put a collar and leash on your dog. Use saline or water to flush the eye immediately to remove possible foreign objects. Use a muzzle to complete flushing if your dog shows aggression, a common response to pain. Do not attempt to remove any object embedded in the eye. Prevent the dog from rubbing the eye.

2. Stop all medications and eye ointments until consulting with your veterinarian, as some medications, such as corticosteroids, may cause the cornea to rupture, according to WebMD.

3. Contact your veterinarian immediately and take the dog for an examination, including applying special staining dye to the eye for verification of corneal damage, removal of foreign objects and evaluation of the cause of the injury. Provide all details for your veterinarian, such as possible injuries, observed rubbing or scratching of the eye area by the dog, previous tearing or swelling, and previous incidents.

4. Follow your veterinarian's instructions for giving pain medications, antibiotics and eye ointments to help increase the healing process for your dog. Use a muzzle, if necessary for safety, when applying eye medications. Treat your dog for underlying causes, such as diabetes or Addison's disease or schedule necessary surgeries for conditions such as eyelash disorders, including entropion, to avoid recurring corneal abrasions.

5. 

   Veterinarians and pet supply stores typically stock Elizabethan collars.

   Watch your dog for any signs of it causing the eye further damage by scratching or rubbing. Acquire an Elizabethan collar, neck brace or another restrictive device if necessary to stop the behaviors. Use the device until the eye injury completely heals, advises veterinarian Wendy C. Brooks, VeterinaryPartner.com educational director.

6. Examine the eye several times a day. Contact your veterinarian for a recheck if you observe a discharge or increased redness or if your dog shows signs of increased pain, warns Brooks.

7. Take your dog for a recheck in one week even if the eye seems healed to avoid the need for surgery, loss of vision or loss of the eye. Return to the veterinarian for the second week recheck, as corneal injuries not healed by the second week may signal infection or other problems.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a clear Elizabethan collar or cut quarter-size holes, about 3 inches apart, in the collar in order to provide peripheral vision for your dog.

• Remove the collar for supervised feeding and during grooming; then replace the collar immediately.

• Delaying veterinarian care poses serious risks to your dog's eye. Corneal injuries require immediately veterinary evaluation and treatment.

• Even if the eye appears healed, some damage may continue or infections form that result in the need for surgery or sewing the third eyelid over the eye to help the healing, according to WebMD.

References

• WebMD: Corneal Injuries and Problems in Dogs
• North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine: Ophthalmology - Special Services, Technology, & Information- Corneal Ulcers
• VeterinaryPartner.com; 01 Corneal Ulcers and Erosions; Wendy C. Brooks

Resources

• Vetinfo: How Dogs See
• Veterinary Ophthalmology Services, Inc.: Common Eye Diseases
• Canine Eye Registration Foundation: CERF Information (Brochure)