Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine clinical features of canine episcleritis and outcomes of therapy in Korea. The medical records of dogs with episcleritis presented at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Seoul National University from January 2006 to December 2007 were reviewed. Episcleritis was diagnosed in 17 eyes of 12 dogs. The most frequently affected breed was Shih Tzu (n = 6). The median affected age was 5 years with a range from 3 years to 12 years. Simple episcleritis was identified in 8 dogs, nodular granulomatous episcleritis (NGE) in 3 dogs, and secondary episcleritis caused by panophthalmitis in a dog. The combination immunosuppressive therapy of topical corticosteroids, topical cyclosporine A, and intralesional injection of triamcinolone (4 mg) and gentamicin (4 mg) was performed. Most of the patients with episcleritis were resolved within 30 days following the therapy. Surgical excision was performed in 1 NGE case which was not responded to the medical therapy. Recurrence was observed in 4 dogs between 5 and 8 months after the first visit. It is considered that strong immunosuppressive therapy and periodic ocular examination are needed to control episcleritis.
