What is uveitis in dogs

Because aqueocentesis is of questionable value in canine cases of uveitis, requires general anesthesia and carries risks of worsening uveitis, lens trauma, intraocular bleeding or iris trauma, it is not recommended for use in cases of canine uveitis.

Clinical Approach to the Canine Red Eye. The acute red eye is a common clinical challenge for general practitioners. We generally talk about the eye having 3 layers:. In all animals, Uveitis can be caused by trauma such as penetration of the eye by such things as twigs and branches. In dogs specifically, Uveitis is a common complication of diabetic cataracts , trauma, corneal ulcers and tumours of the eye. A wider general examination will also be conducted as many systemic diseases in cats and dogs can manifest as Uveitis.

All of these checks can be carried out by your team here at Knutsford Vets. If you have concerns about your pet having Uveitis, get in touch with us today. Cases of Uveitis need to be treated aggressively to prevent long-term damage to the structure of the eye and blindness. Your vet will want to identify the source of the inflammation and any underlying diseases before providing treatment.

From here, Corticosteroids are commonly given as eye drops, injections or given orally to help reduce inflammation. Atropine may be used to help relax the iris to reduce pain and scarring, and antibiotics are given when bacterial infection is identified as the source of Uveitis. A closer observation of the eye should reveal swelling or changes in the color of the iris.

You might also notice a cloudiness or dullness on the eye surface or unusually small pupils. If you suspect your dog to be experiencing any kind of eye issues, you need to take it to the vet to be examined right away.

Your vet will be able to tell you if your dog is actually suffering from anterior uveitis or not. A physical examination of the eye will be performed using an ophthalmoscope. All parts of the eye will be examined along with the pressure within the eye. The vet is also likely to perform a series of blood tests in order to rule out any autoimmune diseases, infections, or anything else that might cause the eye problems.

If needed, the vet will perform ultrasounds or x-rays of the eye to make a diagnosis. Treatment of uveitis will depend solely on the diagnosis that your dog gets. If possible, whatever caused the inflammation to begin with will also be addressed. In rare cases when a secondary complication develops, surgical removal of the affected eye might become necessary.

If you want to read similar articles to Canine Uveitis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment , we recommend you visit our Eye problems category.

Share on:. February 22, Intermediate uveitis middle of the eye. Posterior uveitis back of the eye. Pan-uveitis all parts of the eye. Starting with the former, endogenous or intraocular causes can be due to: Inflammation : uveitis is caused due to an inflammatory reaction generated, for example, by cataracts. Infections : infectious diseases such as leukemia , distemper, leishmaniasis , etc. They can be of viral, bacterial, parasitic and even fungal origin.

Ocular neoplasms. Immune-mediated : certain races such as Nordics. Exogenous or extra-ocular causes can be due to: Trauma : accidents or blows. Metabolic : endocrine diseases. Arterial hypertension : in cases of kidney failure, there may be high blood pressure that can cause uveitis. Systemic infections such as pyometers infections of the uterus can also cause it. Idiopathic : when the cause cannot be determined.