As a follow-up to our last blog post, we will take a closer look below at another eye issue known to affect the Cane Corso breed called an ocular dermoid or an ocular dermoid cyst.
Eye issues and abnormalities (a genetic predisposition) can arise from:
- Age.
- Environmental factors.
- A complication from another health issue (like diabetes).
- Inflammation.
- And of course, injury.
We will also give you an inside look as one of our Corso puppies, Maddie, undergoes eye surgery to correct her benign dermoid.
Eye Dermoids: 101
An eye dermoid (or conjunctival dermoid) is a congenital condition of an abnormal, non-cancerous overgrowth of tissue located in or around the surface of the eyeball or eyelid.
Eye dermoids can occur on:
- The cornea (the clear window of the eye).
- The conjunctiva (which covers the third eyelid).
- Other parts of the eye or the eyelid. They can vary in size and appearance.
Also called a choristoma (normal tissue in an abnormal or inappropriate location like the eye) develops during pregnancy. (Source: Eye Veterinary Clinic)
In layman’s terms, an eye dermoid is simply a misplaced “lump” of hairy skin (as can be seen in the close-up of Maddie’s eye). There is no known cause for dermoids and so it is presumed they are typically hereditary or genetic and may affect some larger K9 breeds more than others.
Since these abnormal tissues are not supposed to be in the eye, their presence can lead to various ocular problems due to the rubbing of the misplaced hairy skin including:
- Irritation and inflammation.
- Pain and discomfort.
- Scarring.
- Vision Loss.
- The creation of ulcers and more.
The severity of symptoms and the impact on the canine’s vision often depends on the location and size of the dermoid.
Eye Dermoids: Diagnosis
The diagnosis of an eye dermoid in dogs is typically made through a thorough eye examination by a veterinarian, and further diagnostic tests, such as ocular ultrasound or other imaging techniques, may be used to assess the extent of the condition.
Eye Dermoids: Treatment
Options for treating eye dermoids typically include surgical removal, especially if the dermoid is larger and causing significant discomfort or affecting vision.)
Click here for the short video of Maddie’s surgery to remove her congenital and benign eye dermoid.
The eye dermoid is surgically removed (or excised) under general anesthesia with an operating microscope. Over the next few weeks, the area where the dermoid was excised will be covered with healing tissue and blood vessels. While the blood vessels may make the eye look very red, the blood vessels promote healing and will clear once the area is fully healed.
For an extensive look at eye disorders in purebred dogs, including the Cane Corso, from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) click here.
The prognosis for recovery after removal depends on the size and location of the dermoid and the overall health of the dog. If all the hair follicles in the dermoid are completely removed, there should be no re-growth of the dermoid.
The Final Word
Good nutrition, regular preventive care, veterinary check-ups and eye screenings can help:
- Reduce the risk and severity of any eye issues.
- Provide an early diagnosis.
- Lead to early intervention and effective management.
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