Today we are going to talk about canine blepharitis.
Blepharitis causes the eyelid to be red and swollen.
The inflammation concerns only the skin instead of the eye.
In mild cases, there will only be swollen eyelids with no other symptoms. However, in more severe cases, symptoms such as bleeding from excessive scratching, hyperemia, lachrymation (watery eyes), and eye discharge might be present.
The causes of blepharitis might be infectious diseases such as bacteria, moulds, parasites, allergies and immune-mediated conditions.
Shown below is a dog whose eyelids remained swollen despite the constant application of Rinderon ointment onto it.
Apart from swelling in both eyelids, there were worrying signs of scratching and bleeding.
First, infections were suspected, so antibiotics were given to help decrease the swelling. However, since the situation did not improve completely, steroids were prescribed as immune-mediated blepharitis was suspected.
As we started giving steroids, the swelling rapidly disappeared, and there were no worrying symptoms any more. As the prescribed steroids were reduced little by little, the side effects of steroids and the recurrence of symptoms were monitored constantly.
Blepharitis caused by infections tends to cause swelling in one eye and are often treated with medications such as antibiotics, and the rate of recurrence is rare.
On the other hand, immune-mediated blepharitis tends to cause swelling in either one or both eyes. Long-term treatments with the use of steroids and immunosuppressants are required. Recurrences are common if medications are stopped immediately.
In our hospital, we have an outpatient clinic specializing in ophthalmology once a month.
If your dog is experiencing symptoms such as swelling in the eyelids, or if healing seems impossible, please do not hesitate to talk to us!
Animal hospital in Shibuya, Ebisu, and Daikanyama.
HALU Animal Hospital
03-6712-7299
For the original Japanese version:
犬の眼瞼炎、目の周りが腫れている、赤い (獣医眼科専門外来）