My Dog Has an Eye Issue – Cornea Scratch or Ulcer

by | May 10, 2019 | Ask A Vet, Eye Issues | 0 comments

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.


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.

Comments for My Dog Has an Eye Issue – Cornea Scratch or Ulcer

Dec 09, 2009Online 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.

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: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Related Pages:
– Dog Eye Problems,
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Eye Problems Section

Sep 18, 2012Scratched Cornea/Ulcer
by: Anonymous

My dachshund has been diagnosed with a scratched cornea/ulcer in his eye. He has been treated by his vet 3 times now with many different meds. He is not showing good progress as far as healing.

Lots of mucous plugs form in the eye throughout the day and I am using pure Saline wash and then applying Remend which was prescribed for him.

Are there any suggestions?

Thank you.

Sep 19, 2012My Online Vet Response for: My Dog Has an Eye Issue-Cornea Scratch or Ulcer
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Dear Anonymous,
Thanks for your question regarding your Dachsund. I’m happy to help, but we only accept new questions from subscribers (the original question above was from a subscriber).
Please click here to sign up and submit your question and photos. I’ll then get back to you right away at the bottom of your newly created web page.
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Click here to go back to the Ask a Vet Online Library of questions.

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