What if a corneal abrasion really turns out to be a corneal ulcer?
This is a mistake that can happen because there is a judgment call involved in differentiating the two. After 2-3 days of treatment, your dog should be reexamined to be sure that healing is progressing properly. If that does not happen, a decision may be made to perform surgery. Are there any side-effects from the eye medications? Rarely, a dog will be allergic to an antibiotic that is instilled in the eye. If your dog seems to be in more pain after the medication is used, discontinue it and contact your veterinarian. A dog with a corneal ulcer has quite a bit of pain in the eye, so he keeps it tightly shut. Atropine is used to relieve that pain. However, atropine also dilates the pupil widely. This means that the dog is very sensitive to light in that eye. Because of the light sensitivity, the eye will be held closed in bright light. Atropine’s effects may last for several days after the drug is discontinued. Do not be alarmed if the pupil stays dilated for several days. Should you ac
