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A chalazion occurs when the meibomian glands (or tarsal glands) are clogged. The chalazion develops along the eyelid margin where the meibomian glands are located. Meibomian glands produce sebum (oil), which helps keep the surface of the eye lubricated. Sebum prevents the evaporation of the dog’s natural tear film. The tear film protects the eye from particles (dirt, dust) and it also helps to keep the eye moist. When the opening of the meibomian gland (duct) gets clogged, the oil builds up in the gland and causes inflammation. This swelling in the gland is a chalazion.
A chalazion is not a hordeolum (stye). A stye also appears on the edge of the eyelid but it is caused by an infection, not by a clogged gland. The bacterium that is usually associated with hordeolums is staphylococcus aureus. Unlike a hordeolum, chalazia are non-infectious and are not usually painful. A chalazion is more common in older dogs.
A chalazion in dogs is a lump or nodule swelling on the inside edge of the lower or upper eyelid. The plural form for a chalazion is chalazia. A chalazion is also referred to as a meibomian cyst.
Symptoms of a chalazion may include:
Mass on the eyelid - Can be yellowish in color
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A chalazion in dogs is caused when the meibomian glands are clogged and the oil they produce accumulates. This buildup of oil causes the painless bump to develop. The meibomian glands can get clogged due to:
Neoplasia - Abnormal growth of tissue
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The ophthalmologist will want to know what symptoms you have observed in your dog and when they started. He will then perform an eye exam on the patient. He may recommend performing a Schirmer tear test, slit light exam and an intraocular pressure test. These diagnostic tests will help determine if there are any additional problems and/or abnormalities with the patient’s eye. The slit light exam may require your dog to be sedated. The veterinarian specialist will be able to visually identify the chalazion. He may suggest a complete blood count to rule out a secondary bacterial infection.
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Treatment of a chalazion in dogs may include oral and topical antibiotics. The doctor may also prescribe a topical ointment with neomycin and corticosteroids. The veterinarian may also recommend soaking a washcloth in warm water and applying it on the eye with the chalazion, several times a day.
If the chalazion does not go away on its own and/or it continues to grow, the veterinarian may recommend surgery. A large chalazion can be uncomfortable for the dog and it can also scratch the cornea. Prior to surgery the patient will need to have a complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistry test and a urinalysis to make sure the dog can safely undergo a surgical procedure.
The surgical removal of chalazia may be performed by cryosurgery (cryotherapy), which uses liquid nitrogen to eliminate abnormal tissue growth. The prefix “cryo” means freezing. A dog undergoing this procedure usually does not have to have general anesthesia. The procedure may be done with the patient being given a sedative. There are no sutures needed. Laser ablation may also be recommended to remove the chalazion. This procedure uses a CO2 laser and a curette. Laser surgery also does not require general anesthesia and may be performed with a sedative. Some doctors prefer surgically removing the chalazion using a scalpel. This procedure does require general anesthesia and your dog may require sutures.
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Canines that have laser or cryosurgery are usually treated as an outpatient and will be allowed to go home shortly after the procedure. Patients that were administered general anesthesia may need to stay overnight. It will be necessary that the patient wears an Elizabethan collar to prevent him from scratching at his eyes.
Please be aware that after surgery your dog may have blood in his tears and the area may be swollen. The surgeon will provide you with post-operative instructions. Your dog may be prescribed analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medications. It is very important to follow the surgeon’s instructions. Follow-up visits will be required to ensure your dog is healing properly. Semi-annual eye exam visits may also be recommended. The prognosis for most patients is very good, chalazia usually to not grow back.
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Ask a Vet
Mutt
Eleven Years
Unknown severity
11 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Has a stye or chalazion on her eye doesn’t seem to bother her but it looks like it got a little bigger
Sept. 28, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
11 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Growths like that often need to be taken off if they are not going away. If it seems to be getting bigger, it would be best to have your veterinarian look at it before it grows any more, as those are much easier to remove when they are small.
Oct. 9, 2020
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King Charles Spaniel mix
101/2
Unknown severity
1 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
We at first thought it was a tick but, didn't see any legs on it.
Sept. 27, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Since I cannot see the growth or examine her, It would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine your pet and see what might be causing this, and let you know what treatment might help.
Oct. 11, 2020
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Goldendoodle
Two Years
Unknown severity
2 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Hi my dog has a red circle on the outside of her eye. It looks like a stye but she is my first dog and i don't know what to do. I am going out of town in the next week and don't want it to get worse when we aren't home. What should I do?
Sept. 27, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your question, I'm sorry for the delay in answering. This platform is not set up for Urgent emails. Without being able to see the lump on your dog's eye, it is difficult to say whether there is anything that you need to worry about If it is something that is making her squint or paw at her eye, then it would be best to have her seen sooner rather than later. If it is growing, then it would be best to have her seen as well. I hope that all goes well for her.
Oct. 11, 2020
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Shepherd
Five Years
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
My dog as like a sty on his , what kind of over the counter medicine can i buy
Sept. 25, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. I hope that your pet is okay. With out seeing his eye, unfortunately, I cannot say how to treat it. If they are still having any problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 20, 2020
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English Bulldog
2 months 1/2
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
hello, I was wondering if u can tell me if chalazion on a dog is bad or if it is okay and normal, I was also wondering that my dog has pimples or i don't know how to explain it it is yellow it looks like bacteria or dirt but she has it around her body and it scares me cause it around her face to but u can't see it u have to dig under her hair to see it. And the last thing I was wondering is that she breathes loud but is it normal for an English bulldog to do it because I was told yes but I just want to make sure it is.
July 19, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Bulldogs are prone to quite a few things, and they do get what is called a cherry eye, which is an everted gland and is not normal. The skin problem that you describe may be a bacterial problem or it may be a parasite, and that would be best to be seen by a veterinarian as well. Bulldogs do sometimes breathe loudly, we often will actually surgically try to open up their nose so that they can breathe easier. That is something else that you can probably talk to your veterinarian about, and they would be able to examine your puppy and see what the best route of treatment might be. I hope that all goes well for your puppy.
July 19, 2020
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Tuner
Golden Retriever
2 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My two year old golden developed a swelling on his lower eyelid. It looks like a cyst, but I think it could just as easily be a chalazion. It would be nice to see a picture of one on another dog to help verify / diagnose the problem. I have tried the warm compress on the affected area. While I think it is soothing for the dog, there has been little changes to the size or color (pinkish). (size is about 3/4 of a dime). There does not seem to be much discomfort, but I would like to know how long I should wait before seeking treatment. If there is nothing the vet will do other than prescribe ointment, I would want to just get the ointment. Any info on verifying the swelling would be helpful and which ointments will be effective for either a cyst or chalazion.
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