Film Covering Dog’s Eye Needs Veterinarian Exam

The usual treatment is eye drops or ointments that suppress the eye’s excessive immune response.

Pannus is most common in middle-aged German shepherds and their mixes, although other breeds can be affected as well. Snezhana_G/Shutterstock

Q: I adopted a middle-aged German shepherd mix from the shelter today and was told that he has an eye condition called pannus. His veterinarian won’t be able to see him for another week, so I hope that you'll tell me about pannus and whether it’s painful.

A: Pannus is the common name for chronic superficial keratitis. Superficial keratitis is inflammation of the surface of the cornea, the normally clear covering of the eyeball. The word chronic indicates that it’s a long-term condition.