Pannus, also called Chronic Superficial Keratitis, is a disease primarily found in the German shepherd breed although Australian shepherds, Border Collies, Dachshunds, Dalmatians, Golden Retrievers, Greyhounds, Huskies, Labrador Retrievers, Miniature Pinschers, Poodles, the Rottweiler and others are also reported to suffer from this disease. Pannus is an immune mediated corneal disease that is progressive but is not painful. It is an eye condition that affects a dog’s cornea and can cause blindness if not properly treated. Ultraviolet light, altitude and environment influence the severity of the disease. (Ex: bright sun reflecting off of water or snow.)
The disease most commonly appears between the ages of three and five but can manifest earlier or later in life. Middle aged and senior dogs are more susceptible to developing Pannus. If a dog develops Pannus, owners will begin to see legions on both of the eyes. These legions are an opaque or reddish/brownish color and usually start out small and begin to enlarge if left untreated. Some dogs with Pannus may also develop dry eyes.
A dog that develops Pannus will need treatment for the rest of their life. With proper treatment, the disease is usually easy to control and should not cause future blindness or other health problems. The most common treatment is steroid drops or ointment applied in the eyes. Owners need to be mindful that UV exposure from the sun can make your dog’s Pannus worse. If your dog is diagnosed and being treated for Pannus, do not allow you dog to be in direct sunlight for long periods of time or take precautionary measures and invest in a pair of Doggles to keep the UV rays out of your pet’s eyes.
Traditional western veterinarians will offer tried and true treatments that have been proven to work. If your dog is diagnosed with this disease, educate yourself on all the treatment options including eastern medicine which approaches diseases with holistic alternatives. Research all of your options and then chose the best long term treatment plan that is best for you and your dog.
Pannus is found in other breeds but has a definitive predisposed heritable genetic link in the German shepherd breed. Keep this in mind when looking for a new family member and researching breeders or if you are considering breeding your own German shepherd dog.
