Etiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of uveitis in dogs encountered in our clinic

Objective: The aim of this study is to present the etiology, clinical appearance, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment outcomes of uveitis cases encountered among eye diseases brought to the Animal Hospital of the Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Materials and Methods: The material consisted of a total of 98 dogs of different ages, breeds, genders, and weights diagnosed with uveitis and brought to the clinics of the Department of Surgery at the Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Physical and general examinations were performed on the animals. Subsequently, ophthalmoscopic examination, Schirmer tear test, fluorescein dye test, intraocular pressure measurements, ultrasonographic, and hematological serological examinations were conducted. Results: The number of affected eyes was found to be 20 (20.41%) for the right eye, 26 (26.53%) for the left eye, and 52 (53,06%) for both eyes; totaling 150 affected eyes. The number of patients with unilateral uveitis was 46 (46,94%), while bilateral uveitis patients were 52 (53,06%). The distribution of the total 98 dogs diagnosed with uveitis according to breeds is as follows: 22 Mixed Breed (22.45%), 18 Terrier (18.37%), 7 Cocker Spaniel (7.14%), 5 Pug (5.1%), 5 Rottweiler (5,1%), 5 Golden Retriever (5,1%), 4 French Bulldog (5,1%), 4 German Shepherd (4,08%), 4 Chihuahua (4,08%), 3 Pointer (3,06%), 3 Kangal (3,06%), 3 Doberman Pinscher (3,06%), 2 Labrador Retriever (2,04%), 2 Pekingese (2,04%), 2 Akita (2,04%), 1 Basset Hound (1,02%), 1 Beagle (1,02%), 1 Border Collie (1,02%), 1 Boxer (1,02%), 1 Cane Corso (1,02%), 1 Husky (1,02%), 1 Mongrel (1,02%), 1 Pomeranian (1,02%), 1 Chow Chow (1,02%). As a result of the examinations, the causes of uveitis were found to be lens-related uveitis due to cataract in 26 cases (26.53%), uveitis associated with cataract surgery complications in 2 cases (2,04%), uveodermatologic syndrome in 3 cases (3,06%), ehrlichiosis in 13 cases (13,27%), ehrlichiosis combined with anaplasmosis in 3 cases (3,06%), leishmaniasis combined with ehrlichiosis in 2 cases (2,04%), and lyme disease associated with anaplasmosis in 2 cases (2,04%). Traumatic uveitis was diagnosed in 19 cases (19.39%), idiopathic uveitis in 8 cases (8,16%), uveitis caused from corneal ulcer in 7 cases (7,14%), chemical-related uveitis in 2 cases (2,04%), and neoplasm-related uveitis in 1 case (1,02%). The distribution of clinical findings in dogs diagnosed with uveitis is as follows: vision and reflex loss in 59 cases (60,20%), aqueous haze in 77 cases (78.57%), corneal edema in 66 cases (67.35%), conjunctival hyperemia in 62 cases (63.27%), hypotonia in 49 cases (50%), cataract in 33 cases (33.67%), purulent discharge in 27 cases (27.55%), corneal damage in 23 cases (23,47%), miosis in 19 cases (19,39%), hyphema in 21 cases (21,43%), hypopyon in 6 cases (6%), ciliary injection in 8 cases (8%), corneal vascularization in 16 cases (16%), iritis in 7 cases (7,14%), fixed pupil in 4 cases (4,08%), synechia in 3 cases (3,06%), lens luxation in 10 cases (10,20%), glaucoma in 11 cases (11,22%), retinal detachment in 12 cases (12,24%), retinal degeneration in 7 cases (7,14%), retinal hemorrhage in 4 cases (4,08%), vitreous opacity in 4 cases (4,08%), and keratic precipitate in 1 case (1,02%). Conclusion: The rate of dogs diagnosed with uveitis among a total of 397 dogs brought with eye disease complaints was found to be 24.6%. It was most frequently observed in Mixed Breed, Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Pug, Rottweiler, Golden Retriever, French Bulldog, German Shepherd breeds. Etiologically, lens-related, infectious, and traumatic uveitis were detected. Keywords: Clinical Presentation, Dog, Etiology, Leishmaniasis, Lens-Related Uveitis, Treatment, Uveitis.