Blepharitis is a disease characterized by an inflammatory process in the eyelids of a dog. Pathology can be caused by all kinds of pathogenic bacterial microorganisms, fungi, or allergic reactions.

The task of the dog owner is to contact a veterinary specialist as soon as possible. Untimely assistance to a pet can cause complications, one of which is vision impairment.

With blepharitis, the outer layer of the skin is often inflamed. Not infrequently, the pathological process spreads to the mucous membrane, provoking conjunctivitis. Quite quickly in the eye area, one disease turns into another, more complex one, provoking corresponding changes and symptoms.

Reasons

Blepharitis in dogs can occur against the background of allergic reactions, congenital pathologies, various viral and bacterial infections. Thus, the cause of bilateral inflammation of the eyelids is an anomaly characterized by an additional ciliary row.

Most often, blepharitis is diagnosed in brachycephalic dogs. In connection with a short muzzle and a large number of folds, inflammatory processes of the eyes affect such animals more often.

In addition to congenital anomalies and allergies, the causes of blepharitis in dogs are:

• dysfunction of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract;
• pathological processes of the skin;
• disorders in the work of the endocrine system (hormonal failures);
• taking hormonal drugs (glucocorticosteroids);
• functional disorders of metabolic processes.

Inflammation can affect the inner part of the mucous membrane of the eyelid, or it can be localized in the outer part. Where the follicles, connective tissue membrane and meibomian glands are located.

The reasons for the development of blepharitis can be large accumulations of dust in the living room, as well as staphylococcal infection.

Most often, veterinary medicine diagnoses blepharitis of an infectious nature. This kind of disease is provoked by pathogenic fungal microorganisms, bacteria and viruses.

Inflammation of the eyelids, detected with systemic damage by a subcutaneous mite - demodicosis. Dogs of brachycephalic breeds and some others are prone to the development of pathology - Shih Tzu, English and French bulldogs, Labradors, poodles, collies, Rottweilers and Pekingese.

In order to prevent the development of complications, the owner of the dog should promptly notice the characteristic symptoms characteristic of the development of blepharitis.

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Main symptoms

Depending on the form of the lesion in the eyelid area, the symptoms of blepharitis will differ. In veterinary clinical practice, the following types of blepharitis in dogs are distinguished:

• Scaly. A type of pathology that can be confused with inflammation of the conjunctiva. This is due to the appearance of quite often similar characteristic symptoms. In the scaly form of blepharitis, the edges of the eyelids become rough, characteristic scales appear. An inflammatory process occurs in the tissue structures that cover the dog's eye from the outer part and in the back part of the eyelid. Pronounced hyperemia develops, which occurs as a result of increased filling of small vessels with blood. This type of blepharitis can develop as a complication of conjunctivitis, or be its precursor.
• Ulcerous. A type of disease that is characterized by such signs as swelling of the eyelids, the formation of specific crusts under which purulent exudate is located. The crusts come off, and ulcerative lesions appear under them. The ulcerative type of blepharitis in dogs is characterized by severe destruction of the sebaceous glands in the area of ​​the hair follicle (eyelash). In the absence of timely therapy, eyelashes begin to fall out, scar changes and smoothing of the edge of the eyelids appear. In place of the eyelashes that have fallen out, new, deformed ones begin to grow. Eyelashes curl inward, and as they grow, they injure the cornea of ​​the eye. Signs of ulcerative blepharitis are severe tearing and itching in the area of ​​the inflamed eyelid.
• Meibomian. A type of inflammation caused by the increased production of a specific secretion by the meibomian glands. Getting into the thin part of the mucous membrane, the secretion of the meibomian glands causes irritation and leads to inflammation. Blepharitis against the background of meibomian gland dysfunction is often associated with conjunctivitis.
• Furunculous. Blepharitis, which resembles an abscess that has formed on the edge of the upper or lower eyelid. It often occurs as a result of a mechanical injury, after blows or scratches. Furunculous blepharitis is characterized by acute or prolonged inflammation in the area of ​​the eyelids. In some cases, the inflammatory process spreads only to the edge of the eyelid, in the area of ​​the ciliary edge.

There are quite a few factors that provoke the development of blepharitis. Less common causes of bilateral inflammation of the eyelids include problems with the immune system (autoimmune processes characterized by an attack on the body's own cells), some forms of tuberculosis, and disorders of the endocrine glands.

In the absence of timely treatment, complications often arise that require longer treatment and can also lead to loss of vision in the dog.

Treatment and prevention of the disease

Before prescribing treatment, a qualified veterinarian examines the patient. It is necessary to carefully examine the affected area, to prescribe a series of tests that allow establishing the infectious nature of the origin of blepharitis.

If there is a suspicion of an allergy in a dog that has provoked blepharitis, it is necessary to find out what type of specific reaction the animal has. In the case of oncopathologies, tumor tissues should be taken for further biopsy. This makes it possible to adjust the therapy scheme.

In case of detection of pronounced inflammation in the eye area of ​​a pet, the owner can give him first aid at home. Eyelids are treated with sodium chloride (saline solution), miramistin or chlorhexidine solution. This is necessary to prevent scratching and further eye injuries. You can also use a special immobilizing collar.

Serious medicinal products (antimicrobial ointments, special drops) are not recommended to be purchased and used without a veterinarian's prescription.

Treatment in the veterinary clinic is carried out only after diagnostic measures. The therapy scheme looks like this:

• Purulent crusts are softened, and then carefully removed. Use a cotton pad pre-soaked in chlorhexidine.
• A special ointment is applied to the affected eyelids, up to several times a day. Different eye ointments make it possible to relieve swelling and inflammation from the affected areas.
• To eliminate pathogenic bacterial microflora, ointment containing an antibiotic is used. The course of therapy is prescribed individually by the doctor, but, as a rule, it is from 3 to 5 times a day.

In the case of tumor processes detected in the eye, which provoked the development of blepharitis, surgical intervention is prescribed. Affected tissues are excised, and appropriate therapy is carried out.

If the cause of bilateral inflammation of the eyelids in a dog is an allergy, an elimination diet is prescribed (which excludes suspicious products and feed), and the animal is protected as much as possible from contact with a potential allergen.

At home, you can use decoctions and infusions of healing herbs. They should be used exclusively as adjunctive therapy. You can wash the affected eyes with a solution of chamomile, and also use various lotions from infusions of medicinal plants.

Chamomile solutions, prepared at home, have proven themselves well in the treatment of blepharitis. They have pronounced antiseptic properties. The infusion is cooled and rinsed in the morning and evening. An infusion of cornflower and althea root is also used to wash the eyes.

In order to prevent the development of blepharitis in a pet, it is necessary to follow some rules. An important point is the conditions of maintenance. Most often, blepharitis occurs in dogs that live in unsatisfactory conditions.

Dusty rooms, feeding with low-quality food, lack of timely vaccinations and deworming - lead to the development of not only bilateral inflammation of the eyelids, but also other problems with the body.

It is important to regularly bring the animal for examinations to a veterinary specialist. This especially applies to owners of dogs prone to the development of allergic reactions.

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