Objective
To describe clinical features of dogs with lipemic uveitis (LU).
Animals studied
Seventy‐five dogs (114 eyes) with LU.
Procedures
Medical records of dogs examined by the Cornell University ophthalmology service with a clinical diagnosis of LU between 2008 and 2017 were analyzed. Signalment and clinical case aspects, including concurrent ocular disease, systemic disease, and previous ophthalmic surgery, were recorded.
Results
Lipemic uveitis was diagnosed in 114 eyes of 75 dogs. The mean (±standard deviation) age of dogs was 9.0 years (±2.7 years). Miniature Schnauzers and Yorkshire Terriers were statistically overrepresented compared to the ophthalmology canine referral population. Lipemic flare varied in severity with loss of menace response due to markedly opaque flare seen in 15/114 eyes (13%). Two dogs developed LU after dietary indiscretion. Forty‐nine eyes (43%) had concurrent ocular disease, most commonly keratoconjunctivitis sicca, ulcerative keratitis, and cataracts. Pseudophakia was present in 75/114 eyes (66%) and LU developed within 30 days of an intraocular surgical procedure in 63/114 eyes (55%). Hypertriglyceridemia was noted in 52 dogs of the 55 dogs tested (95%). Systemic disease affected 54/75 dogs (72%), of which diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, and hypothyroidism were overrepresented compared to the referral population. Primary hyperlipidemia was identified in 12 dogs. Lipemic uveitis resolved at first reevaluation in 92/110 eyes (84%) and recurred in 6/114 eyes (5%) after complete resolution.
Conclusions
Development of lipemic uveitis in dogs appears to require the combination of hyperlipidemia and uveitis. Systemic disease is commonly associated with LU in dogs.
The risk of PRH in dogs may be increased by certain ocular and systemic diseases. As the presence of PRH can be associated with underlying systemic disease in dogs, it may prompt further clinical investigation and diagnostics.
Intracorneal hemorrhage is an uncommon condition in dogs that occurs in association with corneal vascularization. The risk of ICH may be increased due to certain ocular and systemic diseases. Although uncommon, ICH may also be an ocular manifestation of severe immune-mediated, infectious, and neoplastic systemic diseases in dogs.
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