Idiopathic Granulomatous Inflammation of the Periocular Structures in Four Dogs: Clinical, Histopathological, and...

To describe cases of canine idiopathic periocular granulomatous inflammation.

Clinical records were reviewed.

At the time of presentation, the four patients (German Shepherd dog, mixed breed, Magyar Vizsla, Hovawart) were 1.5-5 (mean 3.75) years old. All dogs were female; two were spayed. Lesions were unilateral in 3/4 cases. Dogs presented with ulcerated (1) or non-ulcerated (3) mass lesions affecting the periocular skin (3/4), medial canthal area (2/4), or third eyelid (1/4).

Incisional biopsies revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation in three and granulomatous inflammation in one case. There was no evidence of microbial infection in the specimens. Patients received anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive dosages of systemic corticosteroids. Three dogs also received systemic cyclosporin (5 mg/kg, sid), and one dog received topical cyclosporin (0.1%, bid). One dog underwent surgical debulking of a circumscribed mass within the left lower eyelid prior to immunosuppressive therapy and developed an additional swelling on the left upper eyelid. Remission of clinical signs was achieved in all patients. Dogs were treated for 5 to 11 months (mean 8.7). No recurrence was reported in 4/4 patients during a mean follow-up period of 17.3 months. In 3/4patients, there was no recurrence within an average of 11 months after discontinuation of therapy. One dog was lost to follow-up.

Idiopathic granulomatous inflammation is a differential diagnosis for periocular mass lesions. Its diagnosis is based on histopathology and the exclusion of other causes of granulomatous inflammation.