Uveitis in Dogs

Uveitis in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

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.

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Uveitis Average Cost

From 291 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000

Average Cost

$450

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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

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Uveitis Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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Border Collie

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Bertie

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4 Years

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5 found this helpful

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5 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

5 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

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breagan

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14 Years

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5 found this helpful

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5 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

5 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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Uveitis Average Cost

From 291 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000

Average Cost

$450

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