Ligneous Membranitis in Dogs

Category: Eye
Inheritance: Autosomal recessive
Breeds documented: 1
Published sources: 3

Overview

Thick, firm membranes can develop on the moist tissues around the eyes and mouth in ligneous membranitis. This rare inflammatory disorder is associated with problems involving plasminogen, a protein that helps clear fibrin, a material involved in clotting. Deposits build up and sustain inflammation instead of clearing normally. Although eye changes may be prominent, the airways and other organs can also be affected.

Signs to watch for

Red, inflamed eyes with thick membranes
Raised or inflamed tissue along the gums
Sores inside the mouth
Nasal discharge
Unusually noisy breathing

Reported cases include puppies, with signs present by two months in a Scottish Terrier family.

When to get help Arrange a vet visit promptly if your dog develops thick eye membranes or mouth sores.

Diagnosis and tests

A vet may take a small tissue sample from the abnormal membrane for examination under a microscope. Blood testing can measure plasminogen activity, although a normal result does not rule out the disease. Tests of the PLG gene can identify reported variants, but different affected families may have different changes.

Breeds with documented risk

1 breed

By breed size

1 Small

Scottish TerrierSmall · Terrier Group

Inheritance

Autosomal recessive
A dog is affected only if it inherits two copies of the gene variant, one from each parent. A dog with one copy is a carrier: usually healthy, but able to pass the variant on. When two carriers are bred, on average one puppy in four is affected. A DNA test can tell clear, carrier and at-risk dogs apart.
As stated by OMIA

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.