What is Episcleritis in Dogs?

While Peter and Jan were clipping their dog's nails, they both suddenly stopped and looked at each other. Something about the Cocker Spaniel's right eye just didn't look normal. They gently pulled down the lid but couldn't pinpoint what was wrong. When the vet diagnosed canine episcleritis, they had no idea why it had developed.

Overview

According to PetMD.com, episcleritis is the medical term for redness that appears in the white portion of a dog's eye. While it's usually benign and not too difficult to treat, many dog owners get really upset when they first notice something amiss with their pet's eye.

Dogs with episcleritis are suffering from an inflammation that looks like a small nodule or a thickening of the sclera, the deep white tissue that covers the eye near the cornea. PetPlace.com indicates that the condition can also involve the conjunctiva, the thin tissue on the eye's surface. In most cases, it involves the tissue right below the conjunctiva.

Episcleritis in dogs can be limited to a small area or widespread (diffuse), involving the entire circumference of the eye. One or both of the pet's eyes might be affected. Most of the dogs who develop this condition are young adults.

Over the last two decades, this condition has had several additional names. Among them are episclerokeratitis, fibrous histiocytoma and nodulargranulomatous episcleritis.

Causes and Risk Factors

Experts admit that the culprits responsible for episcleritis aren't clearly understood. Most of them believe the development of this disorder is related to a problem with a dog's immune system. In many dogs, after the first episode, subsequent immune responses actually make the eye inflammation worse. This can start a cycle of progressive inflammation. Bacterial and fungal infections, lymphoma, eye trauma and glaucoma are also potential causes.

Episcleritis appears more often in collies, American Cocker Spaniels and Shetland sheepdogs than it does in other breeds. The diffuse form develops most frequently in American Cockers, Airedale terriers and Rottweilers.

Signs and Symptoms

Often the first sign of episcleritis is a small growth or nodule that looks like a mass in a dog's eye. The nodule might appear smooth and pink or tan as well as painless. Some, however, resemble a firm mass. On occasion, dogs even develop similar lesions in the eyelids and mouth.

If the inflammation is widespread, the dog's eye will eventually appear irritated and red. The animal might experience pain and rub the eye frequently or even close it as a sign of discomfort. The eye might also have a discharge or shed tears.

If the disorder develops in the nearby cornea, a whitish discoloration of that part of the eye will appear.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A veterinarian should examine a dog with any of the symptoms of episcleritis. This involves a complete eye exam to rule out other causes of the inflammation. If the mass in the eye is large, the vet might opt to biopsy it in order to discard cancer as a diagnosis. The doctor will also want to make sure that there is no foreign object lodged in the eye.

After the exam, the vet might elect to treat the dog or refer the pet to a veterinary ophthalmologist. Topical ointments and eye drops on an outpatient basis are the usual types of treatment for this disorder. The concentration of each depends upon how severe the inflammation is.

When treatment for episcleritis occurs at home instead of in an animal hospital, the owner will need to observe the dog closely for a few weeks to make sure that the inflammation goes away without any major complications. Some dogs might need to wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent scratching or rubbing the affected eye during the healing process. If there are any changes in the dog's eye, the owner should report them to the treating vet right away.

Sources:

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/eyes/c_multi_episcleritis

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/episcleritis/page1.aspx