Uveitis in the dog and cat: causes, diagnosis and treatment

Uveitis is an ocular disease frequently encountered in dogs and cats. Its importance relates to the fact that it can induce severe ocular pain and or result in permanent loss of vision. In addition, uveitis can be the first or only manifestation of a systemic, life-threatening disease. Since uveitis can present in a manner similar to a number of other ocular conditions, it behooves the clinician to first establish a prompt, accurate diagnosis in order to give the appropriate prognosis and treatment.The first part of this review includes applied anatomy and physiology of the uveal tract, followed by a description of the various etiological factors found in uveitis. The second part deals with clinical signs and findings in anterior and posterior uveitis and with the sequelae of this ocular inflammatory process. Lastly, the third part contains therapeutic guidelines and a list of comprehensive reviews on this major topic in veterinary ophthalmology.