My dog won't eat or drink after corneal ulcer. Is this normal?

Poor Gizmo! Unfortunately, he truly does need to wear his E-collar at all times to prevent damaging his cornea further. If he scratches his eye, he can tear the cornea completely, causing permanent vision loss and an even more painful ulcer. If his cone is not comfortably for him, you can get him a donut shaped pillow that would also go around his neck, but allow him to eat/drink.

I have not heard of a dog with a corneal ulcer being lethargic, weak or having their legs give out. I'm not sure what medications she is on but it could be a reaction to one of the medications. I suggest you call your vet for advice since they have her full medical history.

Another check up is absolutely needed as a severe infection of the conjunctiva and eye surface is possible. Corneal ulceration are typically very painful up to the point where squinting is constant. The eye surface must be checked as some type of ulcers can progress very quickly. Systemic antibiotic may be needed as well.

As far as we know dogs do not suffer from withdrawal symptoms from pain killers, however it sounds like your dog is still in pain. Shaking, hiding, panting and not eating are cardinal signs of pain and therefore I suggest you take Cooper back to the vet for a re-exam. Eye injuries as well as ulcers and also glaucoma are very painful and he will need more pain medicine and the eye needs to be re-examined.

A sore, weepy eye may indicate infection or injury. The excessive thirst has several causes including diabetes, renal disease, liver disease, endocrine disorders, fever or infection. Ideally, an exam with your veterinarian would be recommended. The eye can be examined to diagnose any cause and blood and urine samples can be submitted to assess major organ function. These may lead to a definitive diagnosis after which the appropriate treatment can be administered. Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent pawing or rubbing at the eye until she sees the doctor.

She may not have a drive to drink if she received iv fluids during her procedures and you are meeting what she needs through her diet. If she is otherwise happy with normal appetite and energy level and no vomiting or diarrhea you can continue monitoring. If any of these change in addition to not drinking then that would be more concerning as dehydration could ensue. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hi there and thanks for posting. Yes, what Susan is experiencing is called Anisocoria; one pupil is larger than the other. Sometimes this can occur due to an injury to the cornea (she currently has), injury to the nerves of the eyes, or brain injury. It can also be caused by glaucoma of the eye, or severe inflammation of the interior portion of the eye. I would recommend Susan see her veterinarian again vet very soon to check for any other underlying conditions besides the corneal ulcer that may have caused or contributed to the anisocoria. Treatment is then based on the underlying cause. I hope this helps and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!