If you spotted a lump on your pet’s eyelid, that could mean something more serious than just a “stye”. But there are ways vet ophthalmologists like us can help.
Most masses on dogs’ eyelids are benign. For cats, there is a greater chance that they can be malignant. Either way, you should have them removed. We have a few different approaches we take at Visionary Vet.
One approach is debulking the mass, followed by freezing the remaining cells through cryotherapy. This is an effective treatment, but regrowth can be more common, but can happen months or years down the road.
Another approach is a full excision of the mass with a minor surgery. This is more curative, but anesthesia may be required for treatment.
Common complications of eyelid masses, if left untreated, may include:
- Secondary Infections
- Corneal ulcers from the mass rubbing the eye
- Continued growth of the mass
- If malignant: Spreading or metastasis to other locations in the body
Treatment is always recommended for eyelid masses. At a minimum, long-term monitoring with a vet ophthalmologist is recommended.
