Mary Allen
The good news first: Approximately 85% of all eyelid edge tumors in dogs are benign and do not tend to spread in the body in the sense of metastases.
Common eyelid margin tumors in dogs
Adenoma
So-called benign adenomas of the meibomian gland exits are most frequently found in older dogs. These are small sebaceous glands that are located in the conjunctiva below the eyelids and produce a fatty secretion for the tear film. If these glands degenerate, wart-like growths the size of a pinhead first become visible on the edge of the eyelid. As soon as the tumor grows, it rubs against the cornea with every eyelid movement and triggers a foreign body sensation. The result is reddening of the conjunctiva, itching with the scratching of the tumor, and/or increased, possibly purulent, secretion.
Melanoma
Other tumors of the dog’s eyelids are melanomas (these are also often benign), mast cell tumors (usually malignant), or squamous cell carcinomas (malignant).
Papilloma
Young dogs sometimes develop so-called papillomas, which sometimes grow like cauliflowers in several locations. These benign wart-like structures can also regress by themselves during the first few months of life as the immune system develops.
Therapy
In general, every eyelid tumor should be examined and evaluated as early as possible. As a rule, a microsurgical removal (so-called wedge excision) is carried out. The surgeon must take special care here in order to achieve a cosmetically and functionally perfect result so that the dog does not feel any irritation when closing the eyelid. In some cases, freezing therapy (cryotherapy) of the eyelid tumor is sufficient.
Malignant eyelid tumors usually have to be removed with a greater safety margin and, if they are large enough, require costly eyelid reconstruction surgery. Chemotherapy or radiation may be necessary after removal. Any mass on the eyelid should be examined pathologically after removal.
Post-op
Wearing a cervical collar is required after the removal of an eyelid tumor. The healing phase usually lasts ten days. During this time, major activities (playing, dog school, etc.) and licking by other dogs should be avoided. A local antibiotic in the form of drops and a painkiller for the first few days is usually sufficient.