My Dog Has an Eye Issue - Cornea Scratch or Ulcer

by Greg
(Pacifica, CA)

My two-and-a-half old mixed Flat Retriever/Border Collie dog doesn't want to open his left eye. My wife found him this way when she came home tonight. He kept rubbing his eye and face on both of our pants' legs as well as rubbing that side of his face with his paw and/or rubbing it against a blanket on the couch.

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He ate his dinner just fine, but has been quite lethargic all night (he just wants to lay). During his evening walk, he kept rubbing his eye. This morning he was fine.

The area outside and around his eye seemed a little teary and on the inside, the edge of his eye appears to be red. My wife and I tried to flush out his eye using a damp cotton swab, but my dog is not allowing us to keep his eye wide open long enough to flush out whatever is irritating him.

I'm not sure what else to do. Please help.

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My Dog Has an Eye Issue - Cornea Scratch or Ulcer

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Online Response for Dog Eye Issue
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Greg,
You did not submit a photo of your dog, but from your description it sounds like your dog has a scratch or ulcer on his cornea. These are typically very painful, and that is why he is keeping his eye closed. Usually this is due to trauma, especially in a young active dog, like your Flat Retriever/Border Collie, who is always investigating new things and places, running through bushes, etc.
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Or if you have other dogs or a cat, they may have swatted at his eye.

You need to take him to a local veterinarian, or a veterinary ophthalmologist. They can 'stain' the cornea to highlight the scratch. They will usually put some drops in the eye first to numb the cornea.

If there is no scratch found, they can search for a foreign body that may have been lodged under the third eyelid. Again, by using drops to numb the eye, it will make it easier for them to do a thorough exam.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

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Submitted by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

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 <span style="clear:both;"> <div class="AdSenseBoxMid" id="mid_add">  <script type='text/javascript'> GA_googleFillSlot("OPD-sbi-c2-template-CONTENT-midleft-300x250-wrap"); </script> </div> </span> Hi Greg, You did not submit a photo of your dog, but from your description it sounds like your dog has a scratch or ulcer on his cornea. These are typically very painful, and that is why he is keeping his eye closed. Usually this is due to trauma, especially in a young active dog, like your Flat Retriever/Border Collie, who is always investigating new things and places, running through bushes, etc.  </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </span> --> Or if you have other dogs or a cat, they may have swatted at his eye. You need to take him to a local veterinarian, or a veterinary ophthalmologist. They can 'stain' the cornea to highlight the scratch. They will usually put some drops in the eye first to numb the cornea. If there is no scratch found, they can search for a foreign body that may have been lodged under the third eyelid. Again, by using drops to numb the eye, it will make it easier for them to do a thorough exam. Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below. Take care, Dr. Carol Jean Tillman DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

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