HOW TO Treat Pannus

Posted by Sonya Simpkins on June 22, 2011 // 0 Comments

Last Week: HOW TO Treat Your Dog for Anaplasmosis, a Tick-Borne Disease

Dog with pannus

Have your dog’s big brown eyes started to show some discoloration and do there appear to be more blood vessels than usual?

If your dog is a German Shepherd, Greyhound, Dachshund, Siberian Husky, Belgian Shepherd, Poodle, or Miniature Pinscher, he could be suffering from pannus, which, according to vetinfo.com, “is a condition affecting the eyes of the dogs (the corneal and conjunctiva tissues); the condition is also known as superficial keratitis. Pannus is a condition that will typically affect both eyes and may progress causing blindness.”

 
What are the Symptoms of Pannus?

As previously mentioned, the symptoms of Pannus include:

Discoloration in the eye

Blood vessels in the eye, usually on the sides of the eye

Animaleyecare.net says, “Pannus is a progressive, non-painful, inflammatory disease of the cornea, conjunctiva and sometimes the third eyelids (when affecting the third eyelid, it is termed “atypical pannus” or “plasmoma”). Variable proportions of pigmentation, corneal vascularization, granulation tissue and cholesterol deposits characterize pannus. The corneal changes usually begin on the lower outside surface of the eye. Both eyes are affected, though the diseased regions may be asymmetric. Some dogs also have dry eye problems.”

 
What Causes Pannus?

Unfortunately, veterinary ophthalmologists have not been able to determine what exactly causes pannus. However, according to animaleyecare.net, several factors could be involved. They include:

Inherent disposition

Exposure to UV (ultraviolet) radiation

High and low altitudes

Autoimmune factors

Genetics

“Pannus is considered an ‘immune-mediated’ disease where the body is producing antibodies directed against the cornea. The disease appears to be more severe in younger dogs. If left untreated, pannus can result in blindness,” says dog-healthguide.org.

 
What are the Treatment Options for Dogs with Pannus?

If you have one of the breeds mentioned above, regular eye check-ups are a must in order to catch pannus early, since it can result in blindness if left untreated. Sadly, there is no cure for pannus.

Dog-healthguide.org says, “The goal of any pannus treatment program is to control the disease and keep it from getting worse.”

Some of the treatment options include:

Topical steroids to suppress the immune response that causes pannus.

Some veterinarians will also prescribe topical cyclosporine therapy.

Injections of subconjunctival steroids for wounds or lesions on the cornea.

Surgery can be used in some cases to remove diseased portions of the cornea. This includes cryosurgery (destruction of diseased cells with extreme cold) or superficial keratectomy, where select cells are removed.

Radiation is effective in advanced pannus treatment.

Treatment needs to continue throughout your dog’s life.

Younger dogs are more difficult to treat and may be resistant to some of the more common therapies.

Lifetime eye exams from a veterinary ophthalmologist to monitor the condition.

 
What are Some Ways to Prevent Pannus?

There is no cure for pannus, but if you have a breed that is susceptible to the condition there are a few things you can do.

From vetinfo.com, “It has been proven that extended exposure to sunlight can play an important role in triggering the disease. Dog breeds that are prone to superficial keratitis that are also exposed to sunlight should wear special goggles that are meant to protect their eyes. The goggles should also be worn by dogs that have already been diagnosed with pannus.”

PHOTO: Joel Mills

Find A Vet HOW TO articles are intended for informational purposes only. You should always consult with your veterinarian about any health issues affecting your dog.

Category : HOW TO