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Epiphora or excessive tearing from the eyes can be a sign of tear duct blockage or more serious eye problems. Clinical signs include dampness beneath the eyes, reddish-brown staining of the fur beneath the eyes, odor, skin irritation, and skin infection. The facial anatomy of brachycephalic breeds may play a role in this condition. Treatment may include flushing of the nasolacrimal duct, or surgery to open the lacrimal puncta. The prognosis is variable and dependent on whether the underlying cause can be found and treated.
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Eye melanomas in cats may be benign or malignant (cancerous). Malignant tumors, called diffuse iris melanomas, show up as multiple spots of color change in the iris, while benign tumors, called limbal melanomas, present as a distinct mass at the edge of the cornea. The diagnosis of these tumors is largely by clinical signs and tumor appearance. Treatment for diffuse iris melanomas may include close monitoring, laser surgery, removing part of the iris (iridectomy) and removing the eye (enucleation). Metastasis has been reported in about 19-70% of cases of diffuse iris melanoma, with most spread to the regional lymph nodes, kidneys, liver, and lungs. Treatment for limbal melanomas may include close monitoring, and surgery, sometimes combined with cryosurgery, laser surgery, or radiation therapy. Enucleation is an option if the treatment is unsuccessful, or the tumor regrows.
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Eye melanomas, although rare, are the most common eye tumor in dogs. These melanomas can originate from the uvea (structures in the front part of the eye) or the limbus (the part where the cornea and the white part of the eye meet). About 80% of uveal melanomas and all limbal melanomas are benign. The rate of metastasis (spread to other parts of the body) is less than 20%. Ocular melanomas are at least in part heritable and may caused by one or more genetic mutations. Uveal melanomas can become discrete, raised pigmented masses that damage the intraocular structures of the eye and cause hyphema (blood in the front part of the eye), uveitis (inflammation of the front part of the eye), and glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye). Limbal melanomas can invade the cornea and cause keratitis (inflamed cornea), grow outwards and cause conjunctivitis, and penetrate and damage the eye as with uveal tumors. Treatment for ocular melanomas may include close monitoring, surgery, iridectomy (removal of part of the iris), laser surgery, cryotherapy, radiation therapy, and enucleation (removing the eye), depending on the type and size of the tumor and how it is affecting the eye. The overall prognosis is good.
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Primary intraocular tumors, aside from melanoma, are relatively uncommon. There are many different types of primary tumors, including ciliary body adenoma and adenocarcinomas, uveal schwannomas of blue-eyed dogs, feline post-traumatic ocular sarcomas, and iridociliary adenomas and adenocarcinomas. When an intraocular tumor is suspected, a referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist may be recommended. Diagnosis is usually via an abnormal ophthalmic examination and/or ophthalmic ultrasound. Surgery is often recommended, especially if the pet has symptoms that reduce quality of life. The risk of metastasis is related to the type of tumor.
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Eyebright is an over the counter supplement, given by mouth or used topically as an adjunctive treatment for infection and inflammation of the eyes, skin, or mucous membranes. Give as directed by your veterinarian. The most common side effect is a sensitivity reaction that may include redness, itching, or irritation. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it or that are pregnant, nursing, have had eye surgery, or have diabetes. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.
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Ectropion, or outward rolling of the eyelid, can cause problems such as recurring conjunctivitis and drying out of the cornea. The clinical signs are a "sagging" or outward-rolling lower eyelid, although ectropion can affect any of the eyelids. A thick mucoid discharge often accumulates along the eyelid margin. Diagnosis is usually made on physical examination. Testing for hypothyroidism and for antibodies against certain muscle fibers may be done if looking for underlying causes. The treatment for mild ectropion generally consists of medical therapy; if the condition is severe, surgical correction can be performed to shorten the eyelids.
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Entropion, or rolling in of the eyelids, is seen in many breeds and is considered a hereditary disorder. Most dogs will squint, hold the eye shut, and tear excessively (epiphora), though some patients will develop a mucoid discharge. Entropion can cause additional eye problems, such as corneal ulcers, perforations, or development of pigment on the cornea interfering with vision and chronically irritating to the dog. Entropion is corrected with surgery.
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Tumors can affect the eyelids, conjunctiva, and periocular tissues can be benign or malignant and can lead to secondary problems such as eye infections and corneal ulcerations. Diagnosis is best achieved through surgical excision of the tumor, but fine needle aspiration may be pursued as an initial diagnostic. Surgery is highly recommended to provide the pet with symptomatic relief, remove the tumor, and obtain a definitive diagnosis.
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Facial paralysis is a condition that occurs suddenly, affecting the facial nerve. Paresis (partial paralysis) or paralysis causes weakness of facial muscles and reduced ability or inability to blink or produce tears. This handout explores causes, signs, treatment, and prognosis for this condition.
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You’ve probably heard lots of funny cat anecdotes; about how you don’t own them…they own YOU; how they feel superior to everyone, especially dogs; that they expect to be treated like royalty. If you are considering a feline acquisition, first consider this: lots of those remarks are true! This handout explains the other factors to consider in selecting the cat most likely to choose your family, too.