Rocky
Rocky was out this weekend and he is even more handsome in person than in these photos! Rocky is sweet as can be and has a noble soul. He also has Pannus, so his eyes appear cloudy, and his eyesight is affected. We think that he can see shadows, but we are still getting to know him. He does reach forward for kisses, that is for sure.
Because Pannus is more prevalent in Shepherds then most other breeds, we thought we would put some information out.
Overview
Pannus, also known as chronic superficial keratitis, is a condition affecting the cornea and third eyelid of a dog’s eye(s). Pannus appears as a grayish-pink film on the eye, and as the disease progresses, the cornea becomes opaque. It most often affects both eyes. While the exact causes that lead to pannus are not fully understood, there are some factors that can contribute to disease:
Exposure to airborne irritants
Eyelashes that turn inward (entropion)
High altitudes
Being exposed to large amounts of direct sunlight
Immune-mediated inflammation
Underlying eye conditions
German shepherds and Belgian Tervurens have the highest rate of prevalence for pannus, but it may occur in any breed or mix of breeds.
Symptoms
If your pooch develops pannus, you may see the following symptoms:
A grayish-pink film on the eye(s)
Redness and tearing
Cornea pigmentation (dark brown)
Opacity of cornea
Diagnosis
In order to diagnose your dog’s eye condition, your veterinarian will perform a complete history, physical exam, and eye exam. Additionally, he or she may recommend the following, depending on your dog’s specific needs:
A separate visit to a veterinary ophthalmologist, who specializes in eye diseases
A Schirmer Tear Test to measure tear production
Fluorescent staining of the eye to rule out an ulceration of the eye
Cytology (microscopic evaluation of cells) on samples obtained by “scraping” the cornea and/or lining of the eye (coniunctiva).
Blood tests may be recommended to determine the underlying cause. These may include:
Chemistry tests to evaluate kidney, liver, and pancreatic disease and function, as well as sugar levels
A complete blood count to rule out infection, inflammation, anemia, and other conditions
Sceening tests to rule out infectious disease, such as Lyme disease
Specialty tests: cultures and PCR testing
Treatment
Pannus typically requires lifelong treatment, but most cases respond reasonably well with good owner compliance and regular monitoring by a veterinarian. Treatment often includes the use of topical corticosteroids and other eye medications. In extreme cases, surgery or radiation therapy may be used. Dogs with pannus require ongoing medication to prevent the eye lesions from returning. They also need to receive regular eye exams to identify if any flare-ups occur, once the pannus is under control.
Prevention
While the cause of pannus can vary, two environmental factors are known to contribute to its taking root:
Altitude
Exposure to bright sunlight
While you may not be able to move to a lower altitude, you can manage the amount of sunlight your best friend is exposed to, if your veterinarian thinks your pet is at risk. If you are worried about your dog developing pannus, talk to your veterinarian—your key resource for information about the health and well-being of your pet
If you are outside in the sunlight a lot, you may want to consider some doggie googles. Pannus can be treated, so if you suspect you have a dog with Pannus, please see your vet.