![]() Treatment of follicular conjunctivitis focuses on reducing or eliminating the stimulus. In these cases, pollen, dust, and debris can settle in the lower conjunctival fornix and persist there due to patient conformation. Follicular conjunctivitis can also occur in older dogs or those with deep orbits or lower eyelid ectropion. Most dogs will grow out of this condition as they build immune tolerance. Treatment strategies vary and cure can be difficult to achieve.įollicular conjunctivitis is common in dogs less than 2 years of age and is thought to occur secondary to environmental irritation. Biopsy of these masses reveals parasitic larvae. Canine ocular onchocerciasis is most commonly reported in the southwestern United States and California and typically causes subconjunctival mass formation. Parasitic conjunctivitis is rare in dogs, with most cases occurring secondary to Onchocerca lupi. Antiviral therapy is not necessary nor recommended in dogs. Mild conjunctivitis can occur secondary to canine herpesvirus but appears to be self-limiting. Extreme care should be taken when sampling the third eyelid so as not to expose the underlying cartilage. Remember to grasp tissue gently and thereby minimize crush artifact. Small pieces of conjunctiva can typically be snipped away without need for site repair. Any focal swellings or masses should be sampled by scraping or biopsy to rule out neoplasia and parasites. Follicles are normally found on the posterior surface of the third eyelid but should not be present elsewhere. Allergic conjunctivitis may be accompanied by follicle formations, which appear as multiple 1- to 3-mm raised bumps on the conjunctiva. Rather, allergies and environmental irritation are more common etiolgies.įoreign material can hide or embed itself deep within the conjunctival fornices and/or behind the third eyelid and should be removed, if found on examination. Unlike the condition in humans and cats, conjunctivitis in dogs is rarely caused by surface infection, and topical antibiotic therapy is rarely indicated. Once you have verified the patient has simple conjunctivitis and not conjunctival inflammation secondary to other ocular or systemic disease, the focus should turn to identifying an etiology. Therefore, a complete physical examination should also be performed. Systemic disease such as distemper can also cause conjunctivitis. Delaying treatment for these conditions could result in permanent damage to the eye and possibly loss of vision. It is important in all cases to rule out concurrent corneal or intraocular disease. Kathryn Fleming is an assistant professor in the ophthalmology section of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. In addition, Schirmer tear testing, fluorescein stain application, and tonometry should be performed to rule out dry eye, corneal ulceration, and glaucoma, respectively. All dogs presenting with these signs should undergo complete ophthalmic examination to identify the source. As causes and treatments vary, a systematic approach to conjunctival hyperemia is imperative.Ĭlinical signs attributable to conjunctivitis include conjunctival hyperemia, swelling (chemosis), and ocular discharge. Therefore, any persistent conjunctival hyperemia, especially when combined with discomfort or vision changes, should be investigated. That being said, conjunctival hyperemia can also indicate something more serious, such as glaucoma or uveitis. ![]() Not all redness is cause for alarm, however, as it can result simply from anxiety or excitement. We all know that conjunctival redness, or hyperemia, has many causes. Multiple pink, raised follicles can be seen on the anterior third eyelid and along the ventral palpebral conjunctiva in this dog, giving it a cobblestone-like appearance. ![]()
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