Eye Problems
If you notice your pet squinting or having discharge from the eyes it is important to seek veterinary care promptly because the eyes are very delicate and even the smallest eye problem is very painful.
What are the most common eye problems in dogs and cats?
– Cataracts
– Corneal scratch or ulcer
– Conjunctivitis
– Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or “dry eye”
– Glaucoma
What will be done during the exam?
Because the different disorders have similar symptoms, we will do a few tests to find the right diagnosis and in order to prescribe the appropriate medication.
– Ophthalmoscope: with a magnifying glass and light we will examine your pet’s eye in detail including the cornea, conjunctiva, sclera, lens and retina.
– Schirmer tear test: a small paper strip will measure how much tears your pet is producing. If there is decreased production the eye will be more susceptible to injury and infection and needs to be medicated.
– Tonometry: we will first numb the eyes with an eye drop and then use an instrument called Tonopen to test the intraocular pressure. This is used to diagnose glaucoma (high pressure) and uveitis (low pressure).
– Fluorescein stain test: we will place a green dye in your pet’s eye and then use a special light to check for any defects on the cornea. If there is a scratch or ulcer, it will fluoresce green under the light.
After the test, your veterinarian will prescribe appropriate medication and may place an e-collar to protect the eyes.
Do I have to come back for a recheck if my pet is doing better?
It is very important that you follow up with a recheck exam. During a recheck exam, we will make sure that the problem has completely resolved. Often your pet starts acting normal again soon after starting medication but if the infection is not completely resolved the symptoms may soon return.
Ear problems
Ear infections are very common in both dogs and cats and the most common signs are scratching at the ears or shaking the head. During the exam, we will look with an otoscope in your pet’s ears to check for signs of an infection. We also need to take a swab of the ear canal for cytology.
Ear cytology is done by making a slide of the debris from the ear and then looking under the microscope. Ear cytology is necessary to find the type of ear infection your pet has. Knowing whether it is a bacterial or yeast infection, and the severity of infection allows us to choose the best medication for your pet. If we suspect that your pet has ear mites, we will also do a separate swab to test for that.
Do I have to come back for a recheck if my pet is doing better?
It is very important that you follow up with a recheck exam. During a recheck exam, we will make sure that the problem has completely resolved. Often your pet starts acting normal again soon after starting medication but if the infection is not completely resolved the symptoms may soon return.
I don’t want to recheck because my pet seems better.
If you do not bring your pet in for a recheck examination, we will not know if the infection is completely gone. It is imperative that we find out if the infection has been completely resolved. On the recheck, your veterinarian will do another ear exam and ear cytology to make sure the infection has 100% resolved. If the infection has not resolved, your veterinarian may treat for a longer duration or sometimes change medication. If you ignore an under-treated ear infection, it will surface again and the infection may get worse.