What are Uveitis?
Each part of the eye’s anatomy works together to promote the strong, healthy vision your dog deserves. In the case of anterior uveitis, one of the most common ocular diseases in dogs, the middle layer of the eye, the uvea (or uveal tract) becomes so inflamed and diseased that vision loss is imminent. Left untreated, the inflammation may damage the lens of the eye, causing cataracts. Glaucoma is also possible due to an ongoing increase in pressure. Like any eye disorder or injury, medical treatment for uveitis must be immediate and aggressive not only to reduce the pet’s discomfort, but also to retain maximum vision.
A canine’s eye comprises three primary layers: the outer layer, which includes the cornea and the sclera, the inner layer, the retina, and the middle layer, called the uveal tract. The highly vascularized middle layer is made up of the iris, ciliary body and choroid. In the case of uveitis, the iris and ciliary body become progressively inflamed, causing eye tissues to become damaged. The dog will experience intense pain and pressure with this condition. Since the pupil regulates the amount of light entering the eye, inflammation of the iris will increase light sensitivity, causing the dog to force the eye closed.
Uveitis is also known as iridocyclitis. The inflammation associated with the condition will cause the eye to remain shut, become cloudy or bloody, and to leak fluid. There are many potential causes for uveitis, including injury, trauma, localized tumors and cancer. Particular to this condition is its tendency to be secondary to other health problems in the dog, such as ehrichiosis (a tick-borne bacterial illness) or other metabolic or autoimmune disorders. In many cases, uveitis is idiopathic, meaning its cause is unknown.
When a dog has uveitis, the middle of the three layers in the eye, the uvea, is inflamed.
Uveitis Average Cost
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Symptoms of Uveitis in Dogs
- Swelling of eyeball or eye area
- Severe pain
- Intense reddening
- Change in appearance of iris
- Constant tearing
- Excessive blinking
- Decreased vision
- Discharge
- Shut eye
- Light avoidance
- Squinting
- Cloudiness
- Bleeding
- Pawing at eye
Causes of Uveitis in Dogs
- Autoimmune disorder
- Localized tumors or cancer
- Trauma or injury
- Toxemia
- Metabolic disease
- Lyme or Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Distemper
- Herpes
- Infection - viral, bacterial, parasitic or fungal
- Diabetes mellitus
- High blood pressure
- Undetermined
Diagnosis of Uveitis in Dogs
Other than the manual examination of the eye including a magnification of the uveal tract, diagnostics will include various modes of ocular testing. For example, ocular ultrasound will be used to examine the eye. As well, the intraocular pressure of your pet’s eye will be measured and is very indicative of illnesses such as glaucoma.
Because uveitis is often caused by systemic disease, diagnosis is not straightforward. A thorough physical examination must be performed in order to observe any signs of illness. The pet should be fully examined for ticks or bites due to possibility of ehrlichiosis. CBC and blood chemistry testing will be required and can reveal underlying issues like brucellosis, an infectious bacterial disease.
Treatment of Uveitis in Dogs
Only after the cause of the uveitis is identified (if possible), can an appropriate course of treatment begin. Treatment for uveitis during the initial veterinary visit will focus on decreasing inflammation and pain in the eye. If injury or trauma caused the condition, any physical damage will be resolved.
Corticosteroids (eye drops and oral medication), aspirin, indomethacin, and other medication may be given to alleviate pressure and treat pain. In the veterinary office, steroids may be injected directly into the eye to reduce the pressure. You may be sent home with eye drops or ointments to be administered per the veterinarian’s treatment protocol. Medications may be needed in the short term (be certain to complete the prescription as directed), or may be life-long. Oral antibiotics may be dispensed if the dog has a systemic infection.
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Recovery of Uveitis in Dogs
In most cases, inflammation and pain will substantially lessen within 24 hours of treatment. Once the condition resolves, return veterinary visits will determine not only the effectiveness of initial treatment, but also if the inflammation caused damage to any of the structures of the eye. Potential residual conditions such as glaucoma, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, retinal detachment and scarring will be managed. The dog may have some or substantial vision loss and will need to see a veterinary ophthalmologist.
Uveitis Average Cost
From 291 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000
Average Cost
$450
Top
Uveitis Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Border Collie
Bertie
4 Years
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Change In Jumping Style
I compete with my border collie in agility. He recently went totally blind with uveitis, which was treated immediately. Over the next few days his vision gradually returned and now for day to day life is totally fine. His agility performance, however has suffered. He has difficulty judging jump distance and seems to not always see the obstacle after a turn. Follow-up with the ophthalmologist said the structure is intact and looks great. Is it possible that permanent damage was done to his acuity or peripheral vision that the ophthalmologist cannot detect?
June 18, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
4 Recommendations
Since we can't ask our pets questions about subtle changes in vision, it seems quite possible that there were damages that haven't resolved, and that may not. Since I cannot see Bertie or examine him, this is a reasonable question to ask your ophthalmologist, as they know more to what degree he was affected and what the possibility for ongoing resolution may be.
June 18, 2018
My Shelby was diagnosed with Uveitis today, he can see, but has the blue haze over his eyes and has no other symptoms, how do I know if I should take him for further testing or not? Like blood work or urinalysis
July 28, 2018
Cindy S.
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Labrador Retriever
breagan
14 Years
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Squinting
Red Bloodshot
High Pressure
Small
Hi, my 14 yr old lab was recently diagnosed with what the vet thinks is glaucoma. However her pressure first started high around 50, we put her on cosopt and it went into the 10s. We added drops to help with low pressure and now ita back up to 40..stopped the 2nd set of drops to once a day and still doing cosopt 3 to 4x a day. Eye is redder. Not sure whats going on with her or what else to offer. Vet isnt sure why pressure is up and down. Only good news is squinting has gotten to be less. What is happening to my poor girl? Shes in great health otherwise. This is going on 3 weeks.
June 6, 2018
6 Recommendations
Pressure changes between 10mmHg and 50mmHg are large leaps which is unusual to see, I would at this point think about visiting an Ophthalmologist as the response to treatment isn’t typical. Cosopt (dorzolamide/timolol) is a treatment of choice for canine glaucoma so I cannot think of a reason for this level of pressure change. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 6, 2018
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Poodle
Shadow
6 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood Shot Red
Eye Squinting
My dog was bit by another dog and was diagnosed with uveitis it’s been 2 weeks since incident and his eye is still blood shot red and he squints it not as much squinting as he did initially is this normal time frame I feel like he should be better by now
May 2, 2018
0 Recommendations
It really depends on overall severity, any treatment given and whether Shadow is feeling any pain; without examining Shadow I cannot say whether any further treatment is required but I would keep an eye on things and return to your Veterinarian if there is no improvement after another few days. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
May 3, 2018
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Cavachon
Daisy
7 Years
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Cloudy Eye
My dog was diagnosed with uveitis on Sunday 4/1. She received a TPA injection into her eye and has been on prednisone and atropine drops as well as doxycycline in case it’s from a tick borne illness. Labs all came back WNL but her eye still doesn’t look great! Any thoughts. We go back to ophthalmologist on 4/9
April 5, 2018
4 Recommendations
Four days into treatment is still early, you would need to give it more time for the medication to take effect and to see improvement. It is good that results returned within normal limits and you should wait until your next appointment with the Ophthalmologist, hopefully by then you’ll notice more of an improvement. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 5, 2018
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Indian mongrel
Chotu
9 Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Cloudy Eye
Redness In Eye
Irritation In The Eyes
Fluid Discharge From Eyes
Hello,
My dog was diagnosed and treated for conjunctivitus today and since he did not respond to the meds and got fluid discharge from his eyes along with cloudyness and a little redness around the eyes, i took him again and the vet said something about internal swelling and gave him antibiotics. He was relieved for a few hours but now seems to be in extreme discomfort again. I am suspecting uveitus but I hope I am not paranoid. I read that treatment for this must be aggresive to avoid a long term problem. Doctor said treatment will last for a week. Please give second opinion.
Feb. 1, 2018
3 Recommendations
Without examining Chotu with an ophthalmoscope I cannot say whether or not there is uveitis, if Chotu just started receiving treatment today you need to give the medication time to start working which may take three to five days at a minimum. If you are concerned about uveitis you should speak with your Veterinarian since (as mentioned) without an examination I cannot say whether there is conjunctivitis, uveitis or another cause for the discomfort. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Feb. 2, 2018
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Goldendoodle
Kevin
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Inflamed, Painful Eyes;
Inflamed, Painful Eyes; Low Energy
Previously healthy year-old goldendoodle, developed sore, red eyes. Our vet took one look, saw cloudy eye fluid, poor iris response to light and sent us to the ophthalmologists at the vet college here. They found inflammation in the front and back of his eyes. No cause apparent. Bloodwork all good. All other systems (pee, poo, etc.) working fine. Oral steroids, antifungal and antibiotics prescribed, along with steroid, anti-inflammatory and atropine eye drops, 6x a day. He was a very sick dog by then, zero energy, very sore eyes. We thought we were going to lose him. Blasto suspected, but test came back negative. Slowly, he recovered and was weaned off drugs and drops. Almost immediately his eyes flared up again. More drops, slow recovery, then another flare-up again after weaning him off drops. Back to prednizone and deflac-something drops 4x a day. Now clear of inflammation. Weaning him off drops again, but more slowly this time, and hoping for the best. Vets still don't know what is the underlying cause. If inflammation returns after slower weaning this time, they will consider more tests. He will be checked by ophths after each step of weaning. Dog is doing okay, but lower energy than you would expect. Any ideas?
Uveitis Average Cost
From 291 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000
Average Cost
$450
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
