Complications from residual adnexal structures following enucleation in three dogs

A 3-year-old neutered male Lhasa Apso (dog 1) was evaluated because of chronic swelling at an 8-month-old enucleation site, a 10-year-old spayed female Japanese Chin (dog 2) was evaluated because of chronic swelling at a 6-year-old enucleation site and chronic discharge from a 1-year-old enucleation site, and a 7-year-old spayed female Yorkshire Terrier (dog 3) was evaluated because of chronic discharge from a 3-month-old enucleation site.

In all dogs, surgical exploration revealed substantial retention of adnexal remnants within the original enucleation sites. Diagnoses of subcutaneous membrana nictitans inclusion cyst, orbital pneumatosis, and conjunctival mucocele were made in dogs 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

Following cyst excision, dog 1 received a short course of treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and deracoxib. There was no recurrence of clinical signs over a 2-month follow-up period. For dog 2, conjunctival tissue was excised, and the opening of the lower nasolacrimal canaliculus was cauterized. The patient received postoperative administration of deracoxib as well as orbifloxacin and clindamycin pending bacterial culture results, which were negative. There was no recurrence of clinical signs over an 8-month follow-up period. For dog 3, adnexal remnants were excised. The patient received postoperative administration of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and meloxicam. There was no recurrence of clinical signs over a 6-month follow-up period.

Findings in the dogs of this report highlight the need for complete removal of the ocular adnexa to minimize the risk of complications of enucleation in the long-term follow-up period.