Diseases of the Orbit of the Eye in Dogs

Diseases of the Orbit of the Eye - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What is Diseases of the Orbit of the Eye?

The orbit is the cavity where the eyeball sits, including the all the bones, muscles, and nerves that make up this area. Orbital disease is relatively common in dogs. Incomplete bone structure allows dogs to open their jaw very wide, but leaves little protection from foreign bodies or infection spreading up through the roof of the mouth. Many different types of orbital diseases can cause the eye to appear displaced, either protruding outward (exophthalmos) or retracting inward (enophthalmos). In many cases pain, swelling, and inflammation are also present. Dogs (unlike humans) have a protective third eyelid, which often becomes visible with infection and eyeball displacement. Retrobulbar masses are the most common source of orbital disease. This could be a foreign body, an abscess, a cyst, or a tumor. Infection, called orbital cellulitis, is often caused by bacteria carried on a foreign body, and in some cases, a pus-filled pocket may enclose a small object like a grass awn and create an abscess. Injury or trauma to the eye may also be a source of orbital infection. Because of the close proximity between the jaw and the orbit, inflammation of the jaw muscles and even tooth decay can cause symptoms similar to a retrobulbar mass. Different causes of orbital disease will require different treatment.

Many different conditions can affect the orbit, or eye-socket in dogs, including infection, abscess, a foreign body, or a tumor. The most common symptom of orbital disease is displacement of the eyeball and protrusion of the third eyelid across the eye.

Diseases of the Orbit of the Eye Average Cost

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Average Cost

$6,000

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Symptoms of Diseases of the Orbit of the Eye in Dogs

Any of the following symptoms should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

  • Exophthalmos – protrusion of the eyeball outward (more common)
  • Enophthalmos – retraction of the eyeball inward (with retrobulbar masses located in the anterior part of the eye-socket)
  • Third eyelid covering the eye (cherry eye)
  • Strabismus – reduced range of motion in the eye
  • Difficulty closing the eye
  • Pain or inability to open the jaw
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Discharge
  • Fever

Types

These are some of the many types orbital disease.

  • Orbital abscess – enclosed areas of infectious pus
  • Orbital cellulitis – inflammation of the orbital area
  • Cyst – either inherited or acquired
  • Neoplasm – malignant or benign tumor
  • Vascular anomaly (rare) – fistulas or orbital varices may cause exophthalmos without signs of inflammation
  • Myositis – swelling of the jaw muscles

Causes of Diseases of the Orbit of the Eye in Dogs

These are some of the most typical causes of orbital disease.

  • Foreign body
  • Injury or trauma to the eye
  • Congenital
  • Bacterial infection (actinomyces or another bacteria)
  • Mycotic (fungal infection)
  • Parasite
  • Inherited condition
  • Tooth abscess

Diagnosis of Diseases of the Orbit of the Eye in Dogs

The veterinarian will make a thorough examination of the eye. Discharge, redness, and pain tend to suggest infection or abscess. Fever is often also present with an abscess. If there are limited signs of infection, this is more likely to indicate cancer or a vascular anomaly. Cancer is more common in older dogs, so your dog’s age is also relevant. The veterinarian will also examine the mouth cavity since oral abscesses can cause similar symptoms.

An ultrasound of the orbital area can help to show where the problem is located, and whether it is a fluid-filled abscess, a tumor, or vascular anomaly. An aspirate of retrobulbar fluid may be taken to test for infection. In some cases, a CT or MRI could be ordered, or the veterinarian might perform exploratory surgery to identify a mass seen on an ultrasound. X-rays of teeth may be necessary to check for root abscesses.

The veterinarian will also test for signs of systemic disease as infection can spread to the eye from other parts of the body. Bloodwork and urine test can help to determine the overall state of your dog’s health.

Treatment of Diseases of the Orbit of the Eye in Dogs

Treatment for orbital diseases can be quite varied depending on the diagnosis. Medication may be given to help reduce pain and inflammation. Typically a non-steroid medication like meloxicam will be used. Eye drops may be prescribed to reduce dryness, especially for dogs with trouble closing the eye. If ocular pressure is high, anti-glaucoma medication may also be necessary.

Abscesses and infections will be treated with a systemic antibiotic or antifungal medication. In many cases, incisions will be made under anesthetic to help the area drain and eliminate all the infected material. A culture may be taken to identify the bacteria or fungi that are causing the problem. Small foreign objects, like a grass blade, will usually be removed during the draining process. Abscesses originating in the mouth will be treated in a similar fashion. Abscessed teeth may need to be removed.

Tumors or large foreign bodies could require surgery. Depending on the placement of the tumor or object, this could be difficult surgery and the veterinarian might refer your dog to a specialist ophthalmologist. In some cases, removing the eye is the only option. 

Tumors in the eye may be cancerous or benign. For malignant tumors, chemotherapy treatment may be ordered after surgery. If surgery is not an option, the veterinarian may suggest you manage your dog’s condition symptomatically. Some forms of orbital cancer are slow growing and your dog may live for months or years before it causes a serious problem. The recommended treatment may depend on the age of your dog.

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Recovery of Diseases of the Orbit of the Eye in Dogs

Most local abscesses and infections can be treated successfully and your dog will make a complete recovery. However if an infection progresses too long without treatment, it could end up causing vison loss or even blindness. Cancerous tumors of the eye have a guarded prognosis since they can be difficult to remove. Your dog’s likelihood of recovery will depend on the diagnosis. The best way to manage orbital disease is to see a veterinarian as soon as you notice anything unusual about your dog’s eye. Early treatment will give your dog the greatest chance of recovery.

Diseases of the Orbit of the Eye Average Cost

From 49 quotes ranging from $500 - $8,000

Average Cost

$6,000

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Diseases of the Orbit of the Eye Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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Black labrador Great Dane mix

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Bella

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3 Years

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Swelling
Bleeding
Hair Loss
Third Eyelid Visible
My dog has some severe swelling around her left eye and we aren’t sure where this is coming from. She’s always struggled with allergies and Benadryl has usually taken care of it every time. This time it has not and there is hair loss and some bleeding starting. She does have a bad habit of wanting to eat almost anything. We stop her when we see it, but putting her 24/7 watch can prove to be quite difficult. What do you think we should do?

Dec. 18, 2017

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

0 Recommendations

Thank you for contacting us about Bella today. I'm sorry that she is having this problem. I'm not sure how long this has been going on, but it sounds from your description like she may be having an allergic reaction - if she has been bitten or stung by an insect, the Benadryl may just not be strong enough to take care of the reaction, and she may continue to traumatize the area until it is treated. Since she sounds like she is prone to reactions, she may just need some help getting over this. It could also be an infection of her eyelids or the glands around her eye. Regardless, it would be a good idea to take her to your veterinarian and have her examined so that they can give her stronger medications to stop whatever reaction is occurring with her eye. I hope that she improves quickly!

Dec. 18, 2017

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Shih Tzu

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Bear

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12 Years

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0 found this helpful

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Swelling
Eye Redness
Dizzy
Swollen Eye
Lack Of Appetite
Lack Of Coordination
Pus Discharge
Bear is 12 years old with no signs of deteriorating health. One day he screamed out and collapsed- we thought he was having a stroke based on his dizziness. Then we noticed his eye was swollen and red. The next day it progressed and was no longer responsive and was not moving, it began to swell out of his eye and with pus. We took him to an ophthalmologist where using the description of his symptoms and visual inspection of his eye told us it’s most likely cancer and to put him down. He wanted to confirm his suspicions with an MRI however we couldn’t afford the $3,500 scan. We returned to our vet where he gave us an oral antibiotic for his eye and pain killers. Bear is now walking normally again, eating, drinking, his eye is no longer swollen out but is now blind. There is significantly less pus, and looks like the infection is clearing. We still are not sure what is going on with him, and his meds are coming to an end.

Diseases of the Orbit of the Eye Average Cost

From 49 quotes ranging from $500 - $8,000

Average Cost

$6,000

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