You Make The Diagnosis: Swollen Eyelid

Pictured below is a young Boxer with a swollen lower eyelid.  His foster mom let him out to play in the backyard and he returned looking like this.  Other than a swollen eye, this pup is in good health.  List the most likely causes of this condition then scroll down for the answer. 

Diagnosis:  The most common causes are: 1) Allergic reaction usually from an insect.  2) Ocular foreign body causing patient to rub eye. 3) Infection 

Below is the foreign body I removed from his eye.  It looked like a piece of a plant stem. I found it hiding behind the third eyelid.  Ouch! 

 

Published by kristennelsondvm

Dr. Kristen Nelson grew up on a farm in Watertown, Minn., where she developed a deep love for animals of all kinds. She received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine. Kris then completed a small-animal internship at the prestigious Animal Medical Center in New York City. In addition to writing and speaking, she cares for small and exotic animals in Scottsdale, Az. Dr. Nelson is widely quoted in the media. Her credits include Ladies’ Home Journal, USA TODAY, the Los Angeles Times and numerous radio and television interviews. Dr. Nelson has written two books, Coated With Fur: A Vet’s Life and Coated With Fur: A Blind Cat’s Love. Kris and her husband Steve share their home with rescued cats, birds and a dog.