Page 27 - Canine-Diseases

augmented flow of blood through them imparts a reddish hue to of the eyeball out of the eye socket, so that the eyelids are trapped
the skin. Erythema may occur with inflammation, infection or behind the globe. Most commonly it occurs in brachycephalic
trauma. breeds such as Shih-Tzus, Pekingese, Pugs, Lhasa Apsos,
Chihuahuas, French bulldogs, and Boston Terriers. Causes for eye
Esophagitis: Is an inflammation or infectious disease of the proptosis in dogs include fights with a larger dog, blunt trauma to
esophagus that can occur from a variety of causes. Frequent the face and head, hit by a motorized vehicle, and choking caused
vomiting, reflux of gastric juices or ingestion of corrosive chemicals by the misuse of a choker collar. Symptoms of eye proptosis may
are the most common causes. Other causes include bacterial, viral include bulging eye or hanging out of the orbit, bloody eye, tissue
or parasitic infection, food allergy, chronic vomiting, esophageal around the eye is red and inflamed, cloudy cornea, inability to
foreign body, inflammatory bowel disease, tumors and stomach blink, and constricted pupils.
ulcers. Young dogs born with congenital esophageal abnormalities
are at an increased risk for esophagitis. Symptoms of esophagitis Eyelid tumors: Tumors of the eyelid are the most common
include regurgitation, increased swallowing motions, difficulty tumors of the eye associated tissues and can originate from any
and painful swallowing, salivation, extending head and neck of the tissues of the lid. Adenomas (benign tumor of gland) and
during swallowing, inability to ingest food, poor appetite, weight adenocarcinomas (gland cancer) of the oil glands are the most
loss, coughing, and fever. common. Other frequent eyelid tumors include histiocytoma
(benign skin tumor), mastocytoma (mast cell tumor), and
Excoriation: A secondary lesion caused by biting, scratching papilloma (benign epithelial tumor). Symptoms of eyelid tumors
or rubbing which results in erosion or ulceration of the skin (i.e. in dogs include presence of mass on the eyelid, abnormal protusion
self-trauma). Skin trauma may predispose to secondary infection. of the eyeball, eyelid swelling, conjunctiva swelling, cross-eye,
Excoriation is a common indicator of pruritus. inflamed cornea, and rubbing the eye. Treatment consists of
removal by surgery or by freezing with liquid nitrogen. Some
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI): Is the inability breeds that are more prone to eyelid tumors include Dachshunds,
to produce sufficient pancreatic enzymes to digest fats, Bloodhounds, Cocker Spaniels and Bulldogs.
carbohydrates and proteins. Because there is poor digestion and
resulting malabsorption of nutrients, weight loss commonly
occurs despite a normal or increased appetite. Affected dogs F
often have large volumes of pale, fatty feces. This condition is
called steatorrhea or fat in the stool. The main cause appears to
be a progressive loss of pancreatic cells but chronic pancreatitis
can also result in EPI. The causes can be congenital, inherited or Facial nerve paresis/paralysis: Paresis (milder dysfunction) or
acquired as the result of pancreatic infection or injury. Clinical paralysis (more severe dysfunction) can occur only one side of the
signs most commonly reported are polyphagia (excessive hunger face (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral) and can range in severity
and abnormally large intake of solids by mouth), weight loss, and from mild to moderate to severe. It is a dysfunction of the seventh
diarrhea. Vomiting and anorexia are observed in some animals. cranial nerve, the facial nerve. This condition is evidenced by
Pancreatic acinar atrophy is the most common cause of EPI in paralysis or weakness of the muscles of the ears, eyelids, lips, and
German Shepherds, Rough Collies, Eurasians, Chow Chows, and nostrils. It is most commonly caused in dogs by trauma, otitis
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. EPI results from an irreversible media/interna, hypothyroidism, polyneuropathies, tumors, or as
loss of pancreatic acinar tissue in most cases, and recovery is rare. an idiopathic condition. The signs of facial paralysis vary with
However, with appropriate management and monitoring, these the location and severity of the injury. Usually, the signs include
animals usually gain weight quickly, pass normal feces, and can loss of motor function, including the inability to blink, a drooping
live a normal life for a normal life span. ear, a drooping upper lip, and drooling from the corner of the
mouth. When the animal eats or drinks, food and water may fall
Exophthalmos: Is an anterior displacement of the eyeball. With out of the mouth. The nose may seem to turn away from the side
exophthalmos, the dog’s eyeball protrudes, or bulges, from the of the injury because muscle tone on the injured side is reduced.
orbit of the eye. This may be due to a space-occupying mass behind Decreased tear production can cause one or both eyes to be dry.
the eyeball. Some other factors that may lead to exophthalmos Gender does not play a role, but breed appears to in some cases.
include bleeding or pockets of pus within the eye, inflamed eye Adult age Cocker Spaniels, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Boxers, and
tissue due to bacterial or fungal infection, inflammation of the English Setters are most likely to experience this condition.
muscles surrounding the eye, inflamed or swollen sac of mucous
in the bone that surrounds the eye socket, cancer, and zygomatic False pregnancy: Is a common condition in female intact dogs.
salivary disease. Symptoms include fever, malaise, swollen Signs include swelling of the mammary glands, lactation, not
eyelid, decreased ability to close the eyelids over the eye, ‘Cherry eating, and “mothering” small objects. See Pseudocyesis.
eye’, loss of vision, orbital abscess, discharge from eyes, inability
to close eyelids completely (lagophthalmos), inflammation of the Familial renal disease: Is an uncommon cause of renal failure
cornea, and pain on opening the mouth. (kidney failure) in young dogs. Most causes are breed-related
(familial) and some are inherited. See Renal dysplasia.
Eye proptosis: Is a condition resulting in forward displacement
Fanconi syndrome: The tubules in the kidney do not properly

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