Epibulbar dermoid in animals: clinical features and treatment tactics

Abstract

This paper presents a summary of the experience of diagnostics and surgical treatment of epibulbar dermoids in dogs and cats. The authors confirmed the data of domestic and foreign researchers that such cat breeds as Birman, British, Scottish Fold and dog breeds as dachshunds and German shepherds are susceptible to ophthalmopathy. Original data were also obtained that epibulbar dermoids may occur in Persian cats, crossbreeds, and among dogs - such breeds as French and English bulldogs, pugs, toy terriers and Chihuahuas. It is determined that corneoscleral and corneal dermoids are more common in dogs, while conjunctival dermoids are more common in cats. The disease may be either unilateral or bilateral. It has been revealed that there is no clinically significant correlation between breeds and localization of dermoids. The clinical picture may be characterized by both the absence of pronounced symptoms (with conjunctival localization), and the appearance of purulent-catarrhal exudate, conjunctival hyperemia, as well as the appearance of erosions and ulcers of the cornea. For surgical treatment of ophthalmopathy, the following types of surgical intervention is proposed: with a conjunctival position, excision of the dermoid is performed within healthy tissues; with damage to the lateral commissure, lateral canthotomy is additionally performed; with corneoconjunctival localization - superficial keratectomy with excision of conjunctival tissues; with corneal localization - superficial keratectomy. In the last two cases, tarsorrhaphy or temporary blepharorrhaphy for up to 30 days is mandatory.