Corneal Ulcers

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What is a corneal ulcer?

The cornea is a transparent, shiny membrane that covers the front of the eyeball. A corneal ulcer is a severe erosion of the third layer of the eye, resulting in a foggy look and discomfort for your cat or dog.

Corneal ulcers in pets are frequently caused by trauma - this could be the animal's own eyelashes rubbing against the eye (entropion), a cat scratch, or contact with a sharp foreign object. Your pet will likely be observed rubbing the damaged eye with its paw or even on the carpet in an attempt to alleviate pain.

Corneal ulcer in a cat

Diagnosis methods

We make a diagnosis by either directly examining the eye or with the aid of a specific temporary stain.

Treatment options

Treatment with antibiotic eye drops or ointment is often the best option. They can prevent infection while moisturising the eye to alleviate discomfort caused by the lesion rubbing on the eyelid when blinking.

Surgery will result in a significantly quicker healing time but at a much higher expense. Your pet has a third eyelid that rests inside the other two lids and is attached to the inside corner of the eye. Surgery can be performed to pull this third eyelid over the eyeball and suture it in place until the ulcer heals. This procedure is performed under general anaesthesia.

Third eyelid flap sutured across to protect the cornea/allow the ulcer to heal (with surgery to the lower eyelid to correct the entropion that was the cause of the ulcer)

Cost of treatment

The cost of corneal ulcer surgery depends on your pet's age – but in general, it will cost between $700 and $1,000. At other practices, prices can range from $1,500 to $2,400.

Recovery and aftercare

On the day of the surgery, we send your pet home with you, complete with a cone to prevent rubbing the eye and creating further trauma. Depending on the severity of the lesion, the third eyelid flap will be released between two and four weeks after surgery.

Meet Dr. Scot Plummer

BVSC(HONS)

Dr Plummer has always had a deep love for animals and graduated from the University of Queensland with Honours. in his Bachelor of Veterinary Science. After the success of his Brisbane clinic, Dr Plummer has launched Melbourne Pet Surgery with the goal of lowering the cost of high-quality pet care for all Melburnians.

About Scot Pricing philosophy