Pannus is a progressive immune-mediated eye condition in dogs that causes blindness if untreated, requiring lifelong management for affected breeds.
Pannus presents a welfare challenge because it is chronic, progressive, and invisible to owners in its early stages. Dogs often do not show obvious signs of visual impairment until disease is advanced. Routine veterinary eye exams for at-risk breeds allow early detection before significant corneal damage occurs. Lifelong eye drops require owner commitment; non-compliance leads to relapse and irreversible damage. The welfare cost of blindness in dogs is substantial — while dogs adapt remarkably well to vision loss, blindness increases anxiety, reduces independence, and diminishes quality of life. Managing pannus effectively means consistent treatment, UV protection, and regular monitoring — a manageable commitment that preserves vision and wellbeing for years.