Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

INDOLENT CORNEAL ULCERS IN BOXERS
A specific type of slow-healing (indolent) ulcer is found in Boxers and some
other breeds, including the Samoyed, Dachshund, Miniature Poodle,
Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Wire Fox Terrier, and Shetland Sheepdog. Most
affected dogs are neutered males or females over the age of 6.
The indolent ulcer is caused by lack of a binding substance normally present
in the basement membrane of the cornea. (The basement membrane is a thin
layer of cells between the outer and middle layers of the cornea.) When this
binding “glue” is missing, the epithelium peels away, leaving a concave ulcer.
Treatment: The treatment is prolonged—often six to eight weeks or more.
It involves paring away the poorly adherent corneal epithelium and treating
the ulcer as described in Corneal Ulcer, page 192. Your veterinarian will need
to do this. Expect your dog to be on frequent doses of eye medications and
wearing an Elizabethan or BiteNot collar.
KERATITIS (CLOUDY EYE)
THE EYES • 193
A large corneal ulcer of
the type often seen in
Boxers.
Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea in which the cornea becomes cloudy,
resulting in loss of transparency. The signs are excessive tearing, squinting,
pawing at the eye, avoiding light, and protrusion of the third eyelid. There are
different types of keratitis; all are serious diseases and can lead to partial or
complete blindness. All types of keratitis must be treated by a veterinarian.
Ulcerative keratitis is a painful corneal inflammation that occurs as a
complication of keratoconjunctivitis sicca or corneal ulcer. The cornea
appears dull and hazy, then cloudy, and finally milky white and relatively
opaque. Treatment is similar to that described for Corneal Ulcer (page 192).
Infectious keratitis occurs when a bacterial infection complicates ulcerative
keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or corneal ulcer. The most common invading
bacteria are Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas. In addition to