Uveitis is inflammation of the uveal tract: the iris, the ciliary body and the choroid. It is one of the commonest eye diseases in dogs and one of the commonest causes of canine blindness (Massa et al. 2002). For the NAVLE it matters for two reasons: it must be told apart from glaucoma and corneal disease in a red, painful eye, and it is often the first visible sign of systemic infection or cancer.
Key facts
Uveitis at a glance- Species: dog. System: special senses, eye (uvea).
- Causes: idiopathic or immune-mediated (most), neoplasia (especially lymphoma), infection (tick-borne, fungal, Brucella canis, others), lens-induced, trauma and reflex uveitis from corneal ulcers.
- Classic presentation: red, painful eye with miosis, aqueous flare and low intraocular pressure (IOP).
- Bilateral uveitis points to systemic disease (infection, immune-mediated disease or metastatic neoplasia such as lymphoma); unilateral uveitis is more often local (trauma, an ulcer, a primary intraocular tumour) or idiopathic.
- Always stain with fluorescein before topical corticosteroids.
- Breed syndromes: Golden Retriever pigmentary uveitis and uveodermatologic syndrome (Akita and Nordic breeds).
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 6 tables, 3 figures, 3 self-test questions and 16 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.