Most eyelid tumors occur in middle-aged or older dogs and originate from the glands inside the eyelid. The majority of these tumors are benign, and the only way to remove them is through surgical excision. This procedure usually cures the disease. Enlargement of the tumor can disrupt eyelid blinking and cause corneal irritation by the tumor rubbing against the eyeball. Conjunctivitis and discharge are common in animals with eyelid tumors.
Things You'll Need
- Elizabethan collar
Instructions
Curative Procedure
Allow your veterinarian to perform a complete eye and physical examination of your dog. Staining the cornea of the eye to check for injury, a fine needle aspirate for cytology of the tumor and a complete blood count and serum chemistry of your dog will help the vet to complete a diagnosis.
Give permission for the vet to sedate or anesthetize your dog to remove surgically the tumor. A small tumor may require only sedation, excision with a scalpel and suturing with fine suture material. An animal with a larger tumor may need to be anesthetized, the tumor excised, and the wound then cauterized to prevent bleeding.
Pay your vet to send the excised tumor to a laboratory for cytological testing. The lab will determine of the tumor is benign or cancerous.
Administer any medications the vet recommends for aftercare, including oral and optical antibiotics.
Don't allow your dog to scratch or paw at the surgical site prior to sutures being removed. He may need to wear an Elizabethan collar until the area heals.
Schedule follow-up visits to the vet clinic for removal of any sutures and further examination of the eye.