DISEASE OF THE LACHRYMAL CARUNCLE.
The caruncle is inflamed in conjunctivitis. When this inflammation leads to hypertrophy it is known as encanthis. This is a common condition in dogs and the caruncle may increase to the size of a pea or acorn, and by compressing the canaliculi it leads to a profuse overflow of tears on the cheek. At first there is the acute congestion of conjunctivitis, but later there may be induration and pallor.
The treatment of this condition consists in astringent and sedative collyria in the early inflammatory stages, and later in the ablation of the hypertrophied mass. The caruncle is seized with a pair of rat-tooth forceps and snipped off with curved scissors, the free bleeding being afterward checked by cold water.
In cases that seem, by reason of excessive vascularity ill adapted to this method, the hypertrophied mass may be tied at its base with a stout silk thread so as to cut off the supply of blood, and cause it to slough off. A collyria of boric acid (4 per cent.) or mercuric chloride (0.02 per cent.) may be used to prevent infection.
Tumors of the Caruncle are met with, such as fibroma (Wörz), Sarcoma and Melanosarcoma. For all alike the complete extirpation of the neoplasm is demanded.