How to Remove Eyelid Tumors From Dogs
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.
Instructions
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Curative Procedure
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1
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.
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2
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.
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3
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.
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Administer any medications the vet recommends for aftercare, including oral and optical antibiotics.
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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.
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Schedule follow-up visits to the vet clinic for removal of any sutures and further examination of the eye.
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Tips & Warnings
To apply optical antibiotics at home, have someone hold your dog's head, so she doesn't move. With the fingers of your off hand, pull back the unaffected eyelid exposing the cornea and the surgical site. Rest the hand with the medication on the side of your dog's head next to the ear, and gently drop or squeeze medication onto the cornea. The antibiotic will melt with the heat of the dog's body and flow to the surgical site. Make sure not to touch the cornea with the applicator to avoid injury and contamination to the eyeball.
Because the eyelid is very vascular (bleeds easily), it is important that your dog not rub or paw at his eye. If he re-opens the surgical site, he will need further sedation, and the area will need to be re-sutured. Use an E-collar if necessary.
Cancerous tumors, though rare, are possible and will need further treatment with radiation therapy. If the cancer has metastasized to other areas of the body, your veterinary oncologist may recommend chemotherapy for your dog.
