Corneal Dermoid - Dog and Cat

A Dermoid is defined as a congenital circumscribed growth of microscopically normal tissue in abnormal place. They can involve a variety of structures in the eye, including the cornea.

Signalment

Believed to be inherited in St Bernards, Dalmatians and Dachshunds dogs and Birman and Burmese cats.

Clinical Signs

If the Dermoid contains hair growing tissue, the hair can cause irritation of the cornea and conjunctiva leading to corneal opacity, conjunctival hyperaemia and ocular discharge.

Diagnosis

Apparent on clinical examinations of young animals.

Treatment

Dermoids only grow slowly, if at all, so consideration may be given to monitoring if not causing any clinical signs. Resolution requires surgical excision. The cornea is often thinner under a Dermoid so referral to an opthalmologist may be wise.

Control

As believed to be inherited, do not breed from affected animals.

References

Maggs, D et al (2007) Slatter's Fundamentals Of Veterinary Ophthalmology (Fourth Edition) Saunders