All things eye-related are best checked over as soon as possible for every pet. Watery, red and sore eye ulcers are unsurprisingly very painful and a common reason for a trip to the vet.

Ulcers occur when the surface of the eye (cornea) is damaged. Causes include trauma, infection, hairs rubbing on the eye or conditions such as dry eye – where the eye no longer produces tears properly. Many of us will be familiar with the extreme discomfort of having something in our eye, so it’s not hard to imagine how painful ulcers can be for our furry friends.

What to look for

Abnormal discharge, squinting and blood shot eyes are common symptoms, but you may notice a defect in the surface of your pet’s eye or a cloudy appearance. All cats and dogs can be affected by any of the reasons above but certain breeds are more prone, such as dogs with flat faces and eyes that protrude. This is because their eyes are more likely to rub or catch on things, and often their eyelids do not close that effectively – reducing the protective tear film.

What will your vet do?

Most likely your vet will perform tests that include checking the tear function and applying a special green dye to the eye, which highlights areas of damage indicative of an ulcer. Lubricating and antibiotic eye drops are most commonly prescribed along with oral pain relief and often a buster collar to prevent your pet rubbing and potentially making things worse.

Whilst the vast majority of ulcers resolve with a course of medication, complications can happen that require more intensive care or even referral to an ophthalmologist.

Whether it’s just more subtle changes that don’t seem right or you watched your over-excited woof tumble into a hedge eager to catch their ball, always get it checked by a vet – eyes are too important to leave!