Our dog's eyes are usually quite sensitive, so there is a great probability that they may suffer a series of diseases. Any anomaly that we can observe in the shape of the eyes, their color or discharge It is a sign that our dog urgently needs the attention of a veterinarian, in this way, it may happen that we may notice some of these indicators or any other symptoms for which we have to have a great concern, we certainly have to take it to an emergency consultation.
As for us health is always first of our beloved pet, in this article we bring you all the necessary information about one of the diseases that can affect the eyes of dogs.
What is uvea and / or uveitis disease?
If we want to understand more clearly what the canine uveitis diseaseIt is very important that we take into account how is the anatomy of the eyes of dogs.
In this way, we can say that the uvea or also known by the name of vascular tunic, is the middle layer found in the eye, so the outer part is fibrous, which are the cornea and sclera and that on the other hand the internal part is constituted by the retina. This same part is made up of three systems that go from front to back which are the iris, the ciliary body that would be the anterior part and the choroid which is the one that would be the back.
The uvea is a framework that collaborates with the vascularization that is directed towards the eyeball, which is why a large number of systematic diseases can cause eye problems through the bloodstream. If any of these systems that make up this tunic become inflamed for any reason, this is what is known as uveitis.
Signs that a dog has uveitis and their diagnosis
Among the general symptoms that a dog suffering from uveitis They are decay and anorexia, but we can also find other symptoms such as the following:
- Blepharospasm, which when the eyelids close due to so much pain.
- Epiphora, which is when excessive tearing is observed.
- Hyphema, when blood is observed inside the eye.
- Cornal edema, when the eye has a blue and gray coloration.
On the other hand, if we want to have a I diagnose more clearly, as dog owners we have to quickly take it to the veterinarian, since we have to explain in detail, what have been the changes we have noticed in the eyes of our dog, after having given all the information, our dog would have to go through certain tests:
- Complete eye examination using an ophthalmoscope.
- Slit lamp, tonometry and ocular ultrasound.
- Corneal staining.
- General tests such as blood test, serologies against diseases that are infectious, radiography and ultrasound can also be very useful.
Causes of uveitis
The causes that are endogenous or intraocular are the following:
- Inflammatory: it is when the disease appears when an inflammatory action has occurred that it could be due to cataracts, For example.
- Infectious: Diseases such as distemper or feline leukemia can cause uveitis.
- Ocular neoplasms.
- Immune-mediated: certain races such as Nordic.
The causes that are exogenous or extra-ocular are:
- Drugs.
- Metabolic: endocrine diseases.
- Hypertension: in circumstances where it exists renal insufficiency high blood pressure can occur which can lead to uveitis.
- Systemic infections: like pyometers that are uterine infections, they can also cause it.
- Idiopathic
To treat this disease in dogs, a combination is used between what are the drugs that are appropriate according to the kind of uveitis to be diagnosed.