What is Retinal Detachment?
Animals suffering from this condition often display vague symptoms such as anorexia and lethargy, if your pet is displaying signs not typical of him it is vital that veterinarian consultation is sought quickly. These generalized signs are often the first symptoms for underlying conditions that may progress rapidly without prompt treatment.
Retinal detachment can be caused by a range of factors such as congenital defects, inflammation, trauma and vascular diseases. This condition is the separation of the retina from the retinal pigment epithelium.
Retinal Detachment Average Cost
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Average Cost
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Symptoms of Retinal Detachment in Dogs
The symptoms may vary depending on the cause of the detachment. Symptoms may include:
- Impaired vision or blindness – This is often difficult to for owners to recognize and it may be hard to pinpoint when this symptom first developed
- Dilated pupils
- Visible retinal vessels
- Swelling of the orb
Other symptoms will vary depending on the underlying disease that caused the detachment. In viral and bacterial infections fever, lethargy and anorexia may also be seen, while in causes of trauma other injuries such as facial lacerations may be noted.
Causes of Retinal Detachment in Dogs
There are three main types of retinal detachment in dogs.
Detachments caused by inherited ocular defects such as collie eye anomaly and retinal dysplasia. This highlights the importance of not breeding from animals who suffer from this condition
Acquired non-rhegmatogenous detachments are caused by an accumulation of fluid or cells between the retina and RPE. These are classified as:
- Hemorrhagic – With the build up of blood caused by conditions such as hypertension, trauma, neoplasia and therapies such as blood transfusions
- Exudative – With the build up of neoplastic or inflammatory cells caused by metastatic tumors and infections such as brucellosis and cryptococcosis
- Transudative – With the build up of serous subretinal fluid caused by conditions that affect the circulation such as uremia and hypertension
Rhegmatogenous detachments these detachments are caused by tears in the retina. Causes may include cataract formation or complication following ocular surgery, trauma, and glaucoma.
Diagnosis of Retinal Detachment in Dogs
Your veterinarian will conduct a full clinical examination on your pet. Using an ophthalmoscope, she will carefully examine your pet’s eyes. Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose retinal detachment on visualization, the examination may give further information on the cause. Fluid such as exudate and frank blood may indicate the cause. Other tests used to determine the cause of retinal detachment are:
- Biochemistry, which may show elevated urea and creatinine in uremic disease
- Blood pressure monitoring to determine if hypertension is the cause
- Thoracic and abdominal radiographs (your pet may require sedation for this)
- Hematology which may indicate neoplasia, anemia or other systemic disease
- Cytology which may provide further information of the cause and indicate bacterial or viral cause, allowing a culture and sensitivity test to be performed
Treatment of Retinal Detachment in Dogs
The treatment your dog requires will vary depending on the underlying cause of the detachment.
Surgery
If your dog has suffered from a rhegmatogenous detachment surgery may be indicated. This will be performed under general anesthetic with careful monitoring throughout the procedure. There are a range of surgical methods that may be used including laser retinopexy, titanium tacking, use of expandable gases and vitrectomy. Your veterinarian will discuss the preferred method of treatment with you and the benefits and risks of this method.
Medication
For infections, culture and sensitivity testing of exudate may indicate the causative bacteria and the most appropriate medication for treatment, however this is considered the most difficult form to treat.
Systemic corticosteroids may be used to encourage the reabsorption of fluid in transudative cases. Medication and therapeutic diets should be utilized to control other diseases that cause this condition such as hypertension and uremia.
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Recovery of Retinal Detachment in Dogs
The prognosis for your pet varies on the underlying cause of the retinal detachment. Unfortunately, in many cases, the prognosis may be guarded to poor in regards to return of vision, although many pets go on to live high quality lives following blindness.
If your pet requires surgery it is vital to provide him with a warm, dark environment for recovery. Highly palatable food should be given to encourage nutrition and energy for healing.
As ocular surgery success is often guarded, particularly due to the high rates of self-trauma, adequate pain relief is vital as well as use of an Elizabethan collar to prevent injury.
If this condition was caused by an underlying chronic illness, discuss whether a therapeutic diet will be beneficial for your pet’s on-going health with your veterinarian.
If your pet sustains loss of vision, careful management of the environment is necessary, ensure your canine’s environment stays the same, with no changes to furniture layout. Provide your pet with a safe, quiet area to rest, ensuring there are no hazards that may cause accidental injury. Make changes to your yard if necessary so that your pet is unable to exit your property, due to the risk of traffic accidents.
Retinal Detachment Average Cost
From 248 quotes ranging from $500 - $2,000
Average Cost
$1,600
Top
Retinal Detachment Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Mix
Teddy
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Partially Sighted
Hello, we are considering adopting a middle aged dog who has retinal detachment due to trauma. We are curious to know if we are getting into something bigger in terms of him eventually needing surgery or eye removals, or can the dog remain partially sighted for the rest of it's life with little eye maintenance?
Thank you!
April 9, 2018
0 Recommendations
Retinal detachment varies from case to case, partial detachment may require no further care whereas other cases may require surgery or medical management; if the retina has been detached for a while the chances of repair and restoration of vision are lower. You should discuss this with the adoption centre and even arrange for a private Veterinarian to examine Teddy to give their input. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 9, 2018
What type of medical management can help a detached retina?
July 17, 2018
Angelia P.
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Chihuahua
Poco-Pico
4 Years
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Poco -Pico experienced trauma hitting his head after falling down the stairs and has been diagnosed with complete retinal detachment in both eyes. I live in Mexico and he has seen two veteranarians who agreed on his diagnosis but are not specialized to perform the necessary surgery. Can you please list qualified doctored for this surgery in Phoenix, Los Angeles or Mexico?
Thankyou
Feb. 4, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. I am not from any of those areas, so can't comment on the ability of these hospitals to perform retinal surgery, but two that I did find for you are: http://www.eyecareforanimals.com/location/phoenix-practice/, https://vcahospitals.com/west-los-angeles/specialty/services/ophthalmology. I hope that you are able to have the surgery performed and regain clear vision for Poco-pico.
Feb. 5, 2018
My dog just had his retinas re attached. Dr Allison Hoffman, Eye Care Clinic, Pasadena Ca. She is one of the few in the country that does this.VERY thorough, excellent references.
Aug. 17, 2018
Linda W.
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Chihuahua
chloe
10
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0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Eye Location Slightly Lowseperation
How can I visually tell the difference between possible cataracts or a detachment in a 10 year old chihuahua? Don't worry, I am taking her in tomorrow to have a vet check it out, but I was curious.
Dec. 11, 2017
0 Recommendations
Detached retina is diagnosed by an examination with an ophthalmoscope where the severity of any detachment can be determined; cataracts/lenticular sclerosis appears as a hue or cloudiness of the pupil of the eye. Your Veterinarian will examine Chloe’s eye thoroughly tomorrow and will be able to give you more information. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 11, 2017
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Shitzu
Snoopy
5.5
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Hi!
My loving pet named Snoopy( Shih tzu) was detected recently with retinal detachment. And he has no vision in his right eye as per doctor in India. As I am in UK and my pet is in India, I could not ascertain much what went wrong. I want to forward his reports to you so as to find whether there are any chances of vision gain. Pls help.
Best,
Deepika Arora
Nov. 9, 2017
0 Recommendations
There are various causes for retinal detachment and if you are looking for treatment options I would recommend you consult with an Ophthalmologist who would be able to guide you through different options for Snoopy. In some cases, medical management may be effective (depending on the underlying cause) however surgery is indicated in other cases. I’ve added a link to an Ophthalmic Specialist Clinic in the UK which you may consult with. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.veterinaryvision.co.uk/retinal-detachment.html
Nov. 9, 2017
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Retinal Detachment Average Cost
From 248 quotes ranging from $500 - $2,000
Average Cost
$1,600
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
