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My pug has a corneal ulcer. Is it serious? Will antibiotics help?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pug | Male | unneutered | 2 years and 11 months old | 18 lbs

It looks like my pug is suffering from corneal ulceration. I'm so worried about him. Does this looks serious? Will this be okay with antibiotics? Is this a possible life threatening condition?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jeffrey Milner

Veterinarian

Published on January 24th, 2018

Based on this picture, that looks like a fairly superficial corneal ulceration. Oral antibiotics are not the treatment for this sort of issue, as direct ophthalmic medications will be required. The treatment will be aimed at preventing secondary infection,, reducing inflammation / pain, and mending the corneal surface. Otis will also need to wear a cone to make sure that he doesn't try and scratch at the eye and make matters worse for himself. This issue is not life-threatening, but the ulcer will definitely get worse if it is not treated quickly and properly, particularly if he is the kind of dog that will bother at it. If you've been to the vet already, he may have put a stain in the eye and then looked with a special light to see the actual depth of the ulcer. He will be able to tell you if the ulcer is actually superficial or if goes deeper than it appears in the picture. Hope this all makes sense.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Lotus Altholtz
Veterinarian, Board-Certified Lab Animal Medicine Specialist
Published on March 3rd, 2019
Corneal (eye) ulcers are typically very painful. If they are caused by a chronic condition such as dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) or entropion (where the eyelashes grow inward and irritate the cornea), you will likely be faced with lifelong medication of Mylie’s eyes. Depending on how severe the ulcers are currently, topical prescription ophthalmic antibiotic ointment such as terramycin or tobramycin ophthalmic drops three times a day for 1-2 weeks plus atropine drops for pain may help heal the ulcers. If you are not comfortable with your current vet’s recommendation, definitely seek a second opinion. If the ulcers have been there for a long time, even with treatment, there may be permanent scarring. An in person Veterinary evaluation + fluorescein stain would be required to determine how severe the condition is. Good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 30th, 2018
I don't recommend ever using a steroid ointment in an eye with an ulcer. - even if the "ulcer" component seems healed. Not a good idea. I'm not sure why it keeps flaring up but I would discontinue using any ointment with a steroid component. I strongly suggest you get a second opinion from another vet or a veterinary ophthalmologist to find out how to proceed. I don't think just leaving it alone is a good strategy. Without examining the eye myself I really can't give you any more advice than that.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on June 15th, 2017
Yes, it's definitely possible, medication for corneal ulcer do not always solve the problem unfortunately, you need to take him back to the vet urgently, he might need a surgical procedure in order to save the eye.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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