Uveitis Treatment for Dogs and Cats
Uveitis is inflammation of the vascular portion of the eye, the uvea, and if left untreated it can lead to blindness, sometimes very quickly. At Animal Eye Clinic, Dr. Robert M. Gwin diagnoses the underlying cause of uveitis and provides aggressive treatment for dogs and cats at our Tulsa and Oklahoma City offices.
Request an AppointmentWhat Is Uveitis?
The uvea is made up of three parts: the iris, which gives the eye its color; the ciliary body, which produces aqueous humor to nourish the cornea and lens; and the choroid, which nourishes the retina and back of the eye. When any part of the uvea becomes inflamed, the condition is called uveitis.
Signs of Uveitis
A pet with uveitis may show:
- Redness of the eye
- Squinting and watery discharge
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- A cloudy cornea
- Blood or cloudy material inside the eye
- An abnormal pupil size or shape
- A change in iris color
Diagnosing Uveitis
The causes of uveitis are numerous, and diagnostic testing can be involved and complex. Sometimes, as in people, a specific cause can’t be found, which is called idiopathic uveitis, but it can still be treated. The eye is often called a window to the body, and Dr. Gwin may be able to detect systemic diseases such as fungal infections, hypertension, parasitic infections, viral infections, and lymphoma by examining the back of the eye, called the fundus.
The front of the eye, including the iris, anterior chamber, lens, and cornea, is examined with a slit lamp, and eye pressure is measured. High pressure indicates glaucoma and tells us the eye’s drainage is compromised. If the internal structures can’t be seen, ocular ultrasound may be used to check the position of the retina and lens and to look for masses within the eye.
Causes of Uveitis
In dogs, uveitis can be associated with tick-borne diseases such as ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, fungal infections such as histoplasmosis, and lymphoma. In cats, it can be associated with feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), toxoplasmosis, and several other diseases.
Cataract-Induced Uveitis
Cataract-induced uveitis is its own category because it is so common, especially in dogs with diabetes. As cataracts become mature or hypermature, they release liquefied proteins through the lens capsule. The immune system sees these proteins as foreign and attacks the eye, which can cause irreversible damage very quickly. It can often be prevented or controlled with proper medical therapy before cataract removal. Early is better. In advanced cases, vision may be permanently lost and the eye may need to be removed.
Uveitis Treatment
Uveitis must be treated aggressively to prevent complications such as cataracts, retinal detachment, and glaucoma. Therapy depends on many factors and may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids and NSAIDs, and pressure-lowering medications given as eye drops and/or by mouth. This can be complicated, but it is something Dr. Gwin has managed daily for many years.
With proper medical therapy and a good response, the inflammation can usually be controlled. However, recurrence is always possible, as is persistent or recurrent glaucoma. Many pets need low-dose, long-term topical therapy to keep the inflammation at bay. Uveitis can also lead to corneal ulceration, scarring, cataracts, lens luxation, and retinal detachment or degeneration, so regular rechecks are important.
Uveitis FAQs
Is uveitis an emergency?
Uveitis should be treated promptly because it can cause blindness quickly, especially when it leads to glaucoma or retinal detachment.
What causes uveitis in dogs and cats?
Causes include infections, tick-borne diseases, fungal disease, cancer, trauma, immune disorders, and leaking cataract proteins. Some cases have no identifiable cause.
How is uveitis diagnosed?
Dr. Gwin uses a slit lamp exam, eye pressure measurement, and an exam of the back of the eye, and may recommend ocular ultrasound or blood tests to find the cause.
Can uveitis be cured?
Many cases can be controlled with treatment, but uveitis can recur, and some pets need long-term low-dose medication.
Why does my diabetic dog have uveitis?
Diabetic cataracts form quickly and can leak lens proteins, triggering lens-induced uveitis. Early treatment and cataract surgery evaluation help protect the eye.
What happens if uveitis isn’t treated?
Untreated uveitis can lead to glaucoma, cataracts, lens luxation, retinal detachment, and permanent vision loss.
Is uveitis contagious to other pets?
Uveitis itself isn’t contagious, but some infectious diseases that cause it can be, so diagnosing the underlying cause is important.
Don’t Wait to Treat a Red, Painful Eye
Call (918) 632-0508 (Tulsa) or (405) 751-3821 (Oklahoma City) to schedule an exam with Dr. Gwin.