Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Sudden blindness in dogs and cats caused by brain tumors
By Davidson, M G et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1991·Department of Companion Animal and Special Species Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Acute blindness associated with intracranial tumors in dogs and cats: eight cases (1984-1989).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old dog and a cat both suddenly went blind and had dilated pupils that didn't respond to light, which led their owners to seek veterinary help. After tests, it was found that tumors in the brain were affecting their eyesight. The dog and cat were diagnosed with pituitary carcinoma, while other dogs had different types of tumors. Some of the dogs received radiation or chemotherapy, but only one dog showed a slight improvement in vision after treatment.
People also search for: dog sudden blindness · cat dilated pupils · dog brain tumor treatment · why is my dog blind · cat eye problems and tumors
Abstract
Rostral and middle cranial fossa tumors affecting the optic chiasm and resulting in acute visual deficits were diagnosed in 7 dogs and 1 cat. Blindness and dilated nonresponsive pupils were the primary signs in all animals. Other concurrent neurologic deficits were either absent or were equivocal. Behavioral changes, including signs of depression and lethargy, were noticed in 1 dog and the cat subsequent to the onset of blindness. Retinal function was assessed as normal by electroretinography in all animals. The histologic necropsy diagnosis was pituitary carcinoma in 1 dog and the cat and paranasal sinus carcinoma with intracranial extension in 1 dog. A cytologic diagnosis of polycentric lymphosarcoma affecting the optic chiasm was diagnosed in 1 dog. In the remaining 4 dogs, results of computed tomographic imaging or endocrine function testing suggested pituitary gland neoplasia. Four dogs were treated with cobalt-60 radiation or chemotherapy. There was partial return of visual function in only 1 of the dogs treated with radiation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1955368/