What is Proptosis in Dogs?

Proptosis in dogs is a displacement of the eyeball from its socket, trapping the eyelids behind the globe. Veterinarians consider this condition an eye emergency, according to PetPlace.com. It's an unsightly condition and can be difficult to witness for those who are squeamish.

Causes

The most frequent cause of proptosis in dogs is head or facial trauma. With small breeds, the disorder often occurs after a fight with a bigger dog. In those fights, the larger animal tends to grab the smaller one by the scruff of the neck.

Blunt trauma to the face or neck is often the result of being struck by an object like a vehicle or a shovel. In some breeds where the eye isn't well protected, there is a natural propensity toward proptosis during even an inadvertent pulling on the skin over the dog's neck or head.

Among the breeds with bulging eyes that face an elevated risk are pugs, Lhasa apsos, shih tzus, Boston terriers and Pekingese. These breeds also have short noses and shallow eye sockets. The anatomy of some puts them at risk for proptosis even during otherwise-harmless play.

According to PetMD, serious eye infections as well as tumors sometimes also cause a dog's eye to move out of place.

Symptoms and Treatment

The hallmark symptom of proptosis in dogs is a protruding eyeball. Additional signs include a pupil that's either dilated or smaller than normal, eye inflammation, rupture of the eye's globe, shock and a hemorrhage of the inner eye.

The affected dog's eyelids are typically curled behind the eye. The eye surface can become dried out and discolored. In extreme cases, muscles might be torn.

Owners must realize that immediate veterinary treatment is necessary to save the sight of a dog with proptosis. An exam of the dog's affected eye is essential for a vet determine the most appropriate course of treatment. This typically includes staining the dog's cornea to look for cuts and scratches. If damage is severe enough to the muscles, nerves and skin associated with the eye, the only viable option might be removal of the eye.

The initial treatment for most dogs with proptosis is lubricating or antibiotic ointments to halt additional damage to the eye. When the eye hasn't been severely damaged, the standard treatment is to replace it in its socket and give it time to heal.

Replacement occurs under general anesthesia. Sometimes the vet must surgically create an incision at the edge of the eyelids to give the eye more room.

Once replacement has been accomplished, the vet sutures the dog's outside eyelids closed temporarily. The dog receives pain medication as well as antibiotics to help the cornea heal. Sutures usually come out after a week or two, after which the vet will check the dog for proper healing.

Home Care

Most dogs return home after treatment for proptosis with an Elizabeth collar to protect the affected eye. In addition to making sure the collar stays on until the vet approves removing it, owners should check the dog's eyelids every day for any sign of infected discharge, swelling or bleeding. If any of these appear or there are any problems administering medications, it's essential to contact the veterinary practice immediately. Owners should also be on the lookout for signs of fever, loss of appetite or lethargy.

Prevention of proptosis essentially amounts to keeping a dog in a confined area to reduce the opportunity for trauma. Owners of breeds at risk for this condition might want to discuss with a vet a surgical procedure to modify the size of the eyelid opening.

Sources:

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/eye-proptosis-in-dogs/page1.aspx

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