swollen eyelids or blepharitis are a bothersome condition for dogs, as well as striking for their handlers. While in cats many of their blepharitis are mainly of viral or bacterial origin, in dogs this pathology can be due to multiple causes that usually lead to other concomitant eye pathologies that aggravate the discomfort of our canine companions. It is a disease that in most cases has a good prognosis with proper treatment, but it must be taken into account that it normally lasts for several weeks.
Do you want to know what is blepharitis in dogs? In this article on our site we will describe the types of canine blepharitis, its symptoms and treatments to rid your dog of this annoying condition.
What is canine blepharitis?
The term blepharitis refers to the inflammation of the eyelids, occurring mainly on the edges and can affect both the external skin and to muscle, connective tissue and glands (Meibomian, Zeis and Moll). It is a more common process in dogs than in cats and usually affects both eyelids. This inflammation is largely due to the fact that the eyelids are structures with good innervation and vascularization, which allows the arrival of inflammatory defensive cells from the immune system that cause blepharitis. This inflammation can be due to numerous causes, from infectious diseases, immune system disorders, allergies, trauma to congenital diseases or tumors.
Because the eyelids have direct contact with the cornea and the conjunctiva, the inflammation in them promotes secondary diseases in said ocular structures such as conjunctivitis, keratitis or ulcers.
Types of blepharitis in dogs according to cause
The most common is to classify blepharitis in dogs according to the cause that causes it. In this way, there are several types, although the following stand out for being the most common:
Canine infectious blepharitis
In turn, infectious blepharitis in dogs can have different origins and, therefore, be one of the following:
- Bacterial: A bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus is often the responsible for the infection of the eyelids (specifically their glands) with the formation of styes. In these cases of bacterial blepharitis, dogs can manifest purulent discharge, redness and irritation. It is diagnosed by cytology, culture and antibiogram. In puppies, purulent blepharitis also develops as part of juvenile pyoderma.
- Parasitic: may be due to external parasites such as Demodex canis or Sarcoptes scabiei, which cause inflammation by excavation of galleries in deep layers of the skin or by alteration of the hair follicles. The first does not cause itching and also produces lesions in places other than the eyelids, however, the second produces a lot of itching. They are diagnosed by skin scrapings (deep in the case of Demodex). It can also be caused by internal parasites such as the one responsible for canine leishmaniasis (Leishmania infantum), which will cause scaly lesions, nodules (granulomatous blepharitis or granulomatous blepharoconjunctivitis), uveitis and ulcers; It usually does not cause pain or itching. In this case, it is transmitted through the sandfly diptera and the parasitic infection is endemic in the Mediterranean region, so it is necessary to visit this region to contract it. Diagnosis is by serology and skin biopsy.
- Fungal: produced by the dermatophyte fungi responsible for the ringworm (Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum or Trichophyton mentagrophytes) or the yeasts of the genus Malassezia. Diagnosis is by hair sampling and fungal culture.
Immune-mediated or hypersensitivity blepharitis
In these cases, blepharitis in dogs may be due to an adverse or allergic reaction to food, hypersensitivity to environmental antigens, drugs or to insect bites. It is common to observe that the dog has a swollen lower eyelid, as well as the upper one, when the cause is an allergic reaction.
Blepharitis can also be due to immune-mediated diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, which produces generalized skin changes, including eyelid involvement, or pemphigus (vulgar type affects mucocutaneous junctions and can cause eyelid lesions such as vesicles, blisters and collarettes).
Congenital blepharitis
Diseases that appear from birth such as entropion (eyelid turned inward towards the eye region),trichiasis (inward eyelashes) or lagophthalmia (inability to close the eye completely) can cause blepharitis in the dog
Other causes of blepharitis in dogs
The types of canine blepharitis are the most common, however, there are other causes that can cause the dog's eyelid to be swollen or inflamed:
- Tumors: a mass will be seen on the eyelid that it can become ulcerated. Diagnosis is based on cytology and biopsy.
- Traumatisms: bumps, plant fibers, exposure to smoke or irritating environments can cause inflammation in this region.
Symptoms of blepharitis in dogs
Depending on the severity of the process, our dog may present, in addition to swelling of the eyelid area, the following clinical signs:
- Redness, itching and crusting on the edge of the eyelid.
- Purulent discharge.
- Alopecia in the affected area.
- Pigmentation changes.
- Nodules that can reach 5 mm (granulomatous blepharitis) that can also affect the conjunctiva (granulomatous blepharoconjunctivitis).
- Pustules or papules.
- Escamas.
- Erosions.
- Ulcers.
If you notice that your dog has a swollen eyelid, ulcers, a reddened area or discharge, it is essential to go to the vet to make the diagnosis, confirm that it is blepharitis and find the cause to treat it.
How to cure blepharitis in dogs? - Treatment
Without a doubt, what will cure your dog's swollen eyelids will be the treatments prescribed by a veterinary center. Generally, the clinical signs are palliated by the use of anti-inflammatories and cover antibiotics to avoid secondary infections. However, depending on the type of blepharitis treatment will vary:
- In cases of bacterial blepharitis, an antibiogram should be performed to apply the treatment antibioticappropriate.
- If the blepharitis is parasitic or fungal, antiparasitic and antifungal treatments should be usedappropriate depending on the agent, as well as cleaning and disinfection of the animal's environment. In addition, it must be taken into account that the dermatophyte fungi responsible for ringworm, which we have mentioned can also cause blepharitis in dogs, are zoonotic, that is, they are transmitted to people. Due to this zoonotic potential, it is especially important in these cases to eliminate dermatophytes at home, vacuuming daily and removing the vacuum cleaner bag, disinfecting the animal's cleaning and resting utensils daily, spraying carpets, rugs, sofas and cages at least twice a week with 1/100 bleach or enilconazole solution for the environment in aerosol form.
- In cases of immune-mediated blepharitis immunosuppressive therapy with corticoids is necessaryLikewise, in food hypersensitivity it is necessary to detect the food allergen, that is, the protein that is causing the adverse reaction and eliminate it from the diet.
- If blepharitis is caused by a tumor or a congenital disease, surgery is the treatment of choice.
Home remedies for blepharitis in dogs
If you realize that your dog has a swollen eyelid due to inflammation, what you have to do is take it to a veterinary center so that the type of blepharitis can be correctly diagnosed and treated properly. Now, if you can't go that same day, you can do something to prevent it from getting worse to some extent.
The first and essential thing is to keep the area clean of dirt and remains of scabs, blood and residue from the street. For this you can use physiological saline, which, although it really is a medical treatment, generally we all have it at home.
Another home treatment for blepharitis in dogs that can be done is to apply some type of infusion to the area once or twice a daywith a sterile gauze softly and without rubbing. After making the infusion, it is important to let it cool down so as not to irritate the area and favor its properties, but avoiding fermentation, which would only worsen the process by transforming it into a broth full of bacteria. That is why it is not the best in those cases in which there are abscesses due to bacterial blepharitis, since it can worsen the condition of the eyelid if it is not done correctly. The following plants can be tried in infusions:
- Chamomile: for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic properties.
- Euphrasia: This is the best-known plant for eye he alth. It can be effective in cases of blepharitis and conjunctivitis. It has anti-inflammatory, astringent and soothing properties.
You can try cleaning the area with floral witch hazel water for its anti-inflammatory, anti-haemorrhagic, antioxidant, antiseptic and healing properties. Today it is common to find it in herbal shops and in various presentations of cleaning products and eye wipes for dogs and cats, sometimes together with eyebright.
Although the remedies mentioned can help alleviate the symptoms of canine blepharitis, remember that they are not the most appropriate treatment. These remedies should only be an emergency or a complement to veterinary treatment, which will be intended to treat the cause that is causing the inflammation.
- Take your dog to the vet as a first option when discovering a swollen eyelid.
- You can apply natural remedies as a cleaning complement before taking it to a veterinary center.
- Make sure that during the walk you do not hit or scratch the grass where the area could be damaged.
- Keep the area clean and avoid scratching, if necessary, put an Elizabethan collar to prevent it.
- Apply the indicated treatment correctly and do not neglect it.
