OCULAR DISCHARGE - DOG AND CAT

It can be defined as abnormal secretion on or around the eye or eyes. This is also known as lacrimation and ocular secretion. The secretions can be watery or mucus in nature. An abnormal overflow of tears down the face is called as epiphora. Dogs and cats both get affected with this and onset depends on the cause. Outdoor animals are prone to infectious cause of conjunctivitis.

UVEITIS - DOGS AND CATS

Uveitis is defined as inflammation of some or the entire uveal tract including iris, cilliary body, and choroid. It may be associated with inflammation of adjacent structures such as retina, vitreous sclera, and the cornea. Clinic signs of uveitis in dogs and cats include spasm of the eyelids, thickening of the inner eyelids, and redness of the white of the eye, a thickened white film on the cornea, constricted pupil, and blood in the intraocular fluid. Uveitis can be present in just one or both eyes. Uveitis in dogs and cats is a secondary problem, precipitated by a primary cause of intraocular vascular damage. Primary causes include: infection, trauma, auto-immune disease, parasites, and cancer. Diagnostics in dogs with uveitis should include blood chemistry, complete blood count, and heart worm test to begin with. In cats, blood chemistry and complete blood count should be run, but should also include blood tests for immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukaemia, and toxoplasmosis. Uveitis is a medical emergency that causes a great deal of pain, and can quickly lead to irreversible blindness. In treating uveitis, once an underlying cause is identified, specific treatment will be directed at the underlying disease process.

CHERRY EYE CONDITION IN A DOG

CORNEAL ULCER - 8 MONTH OLD PEKINGESE

CARE OF SENIOR DOG

Veterinary care for older dogs:-


The healthier we can keep a dog when he is young, the more likely he will be healthy as he grows older. His vaccinations, deworming, nutrition, dental care and parasite control will have a direct effect on his current health.



1. Physical examination – Older dogs should be checked thoroughly and regularly at least twice a year. You must tell your veterinarian about any conditions you have observed and evaluated. You can ask your veterinarian during an examination if you have any queries.



Physical examination should include following:-



a. Oral and dental examination – It should include an examination of mouth, teeth, gums, tongue and throat.



b. Ophthalmic exam – Routine procedure may include eye examination for any initial signs of cataracts, glaucoma or dry eye.



c. Rectal exam – It is an important part of a physical examination for a dog. Vet will examine the inner pelvic area, lymph nodes, prostate gland and urinary system parts.



d. Hair and coat – Your vet will check for the skin, coat and hair condition.



e. Parasites – it should include an examination of the skin and ears for any sign of external parasites. A fecal examination should be done to find out any internal parasite, if present.



f. Vaccinations – It is important to keep your dog up-to-date on his vaccinations as the older dogs have less immunity towards infectious diseases.



g. Blood test – The blood should be tested for hemogram, liver function test, kidney function test, etc.



h. Blood Bio-chemistry – These tests will include the evaluation of various chemicals, enzymes, proteins, hormones and different electrolytes.



i. Radiographs – the chest and abdomen radiographs are useful to find out any signs of disease.



j. Diagnostic tests – Different diagnostic tests like endoscopy, ultrasound and electro surgery can be used to diagnose any heath problem.

k. Pain management – Pain killers can be used in older dogs to make them comfortable.

CORNEAL ULCER WITH DESCEMETOCELE - PUG

CATARACT - DOG EYE

CHERRY EYE IN A ST. BERNARD

this was a case of 4 month old st. bernard pup with cherry eye condition. the condition was deteriorating day by day. so surgery was done to correct this. but in this case the pocketing was done rather than old technique. The dog recovered very well and the eye has been saved from the future complications.

CORNEAL ULCER

TURTLE - EYE INFLAMMATION

This turtle has swollen eyes and was not able to open his eyes due to pain. complete history revealed that one day the direct water supply was used instead of filetered one. on that day the chlorine content in the water was too high and the skin of turtle turned pink with in few minutes of exposure to chlorinated water. Chlorinated water was the source of this eye condition. Treatment was given and the turtle recovered very well.
always check the temperature of water and the amount of chlorine in the water to take care of your pets.

CORNEAL ULCERS

corneal ulcer - Recurrent ulcers and refractory ones that do not heal properly occur more commonly in middle-aged and older dogs.
Clinical Signs - The cornea lacks the presence of blood vessels, it is well equipped with nerves to detect pain. Even the slightest injury will provoke considerable discomfort. Other signs of corneal ulcer include blepharospasm, epiphora, purulent ocular discharge, and photophobia.
Symptoms - Common symptoms of corneal ulcer include pain, squinting or blinking the affected eye, pawing or rubbing at the eye, excessive tearing or discharge, pus, redness, and behavioral changes such as hiding or avoiding light.
Description - The cornea, or front of the eye, has three very important functions. It acts as a supportive barrier to keep the internal structures in place within the eye. The cornea allows light to pass into the eye and thus through the lens to the retina at the back of the eye. It also bends the incoming light rays to aid the lens in focusing the incoming light. The cornea is composed of five microscopically identifiable layers. When the cornea is injured, the extent to which these layers are involved will determine the severity of the injury, the treatment required and the prognosis for saving the eyesight in the injured eye. Recurrences are common and complications are highly likely. Significant corneal disease and ulceration associated with herpesvirus infections in cats are unpredictable in their response to treatment.

CORNEAL ULCERS IN DOGS

Corneal ulcers affect the cornea of the transparent and dome-shaped film that covers the eye. Pet health can get affected due to corneal ulcer, which can also lead to lack of proper eyesight in dogs. Even the smallest abrasion to your pet’s eye can lead to corneal ulcer. Symptoms of Corneal Ulcers
1. Squinting
2. Redness
3. Increased tearing
4. Cloudiness of the cornea
5. Yellow or green color discharge from the eye
6. Inflamed, red conjunctiva

7. Rubbing excessively at the eye
8. Occasional lethargy
9. Pawing at the infected eye

CANINE DISTEMPER - SYMPTOMS

Distemper in dogs is caused by a virus and is most prevalent in the spring and fall months.
Vaccination against distemper in pups and dogs is the best defense.
symptoms -
Early signs and symptoms of dog distemper - fever, loss of appetite, eye inflammation, temperature above 103 degree F, depression, nasal discharge, Conjunctivitis.
symptoms when the intestinal tract is affected - vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy
symptoms when CDV affects the lungs and upper respiratory tract - coughing, sneezing, vomiting, green discharge from nostril, diarrhea, cough, labored breathing, fever
symptoms the brain and spinal cord are affected by virus - secondary bacterial infections, seizures, muscle incoordination, uncontrollable muscle twitch, hard pad disease,
depression, partial or incomplete paralysis, deterioration of mental abilities

WHAT DO DOG AND CAT SEE?

Dogs are red-green color blind. They see a brighter and less detailed world when compared to humans. Peripheral vision is better than humans, but distance is not judged quite as well. Dogs excel at night vision and the detection of moving objects.Dogs and cats have vision with a very limited color spectrum. Blue is visible but red, green, and yellow all appear similar.Dogs are better able to detect movement.


Dogs have much better night vision for 2 reasons:


# The have more rods (which enable night vision).
# They have a structure called the Tapetum Lucidum
This is a reflective surface behind the retina that reflects light back through it.
Although it is commonly believed that dogs and cats see only in black and white, recent evidence suggests that animals may have some degree of useful color vision. The perception of color is determined by the presence of cone photoreceptors within the retina. These cone cells function in bright light conditions and comprise approximately 20% of the photoreceptors in the central retina of the dog. In humans, the central retina is 100% cones. Behavioral tests in dogs suggest that they can distinguish red and blue colors but often confuse green and red.

German Shpherd dog - common features

German Shepherds are a large-breed dog which generally are between 55 and 65 centimetres at the withers and weigh between 22 and 40 kilograms. They have a domed forehead, a long square-cut muzzle and a black nose. The jaws are strong, with a scissor-like bite. The eyes are medium-sized and brown with a lively, intelligent, and self-assured look. The ears are large and stand erect, open at the front and parallel. They have a long neck, which is raised when excited and lowered when moving at a fast pace. The tail is bushy and reaches to the hock.

A solid black German ShepherdGerman Shepherds can be a variety of colours, the most common of which are the tan/black and red/black varieties. Both varieties have black masks and black body markings which can range from a classic "saddle" to an over-all "blanket." Rarer colour variations include the sable, all-black, all-white, liver, and blue varieties. German Shepherds sport a double coat. The outer coat, which is shed all year round, is close and dense with a thick undercoat. The coat is accepted in two variants; medium and long. The long-hair gene is recessive, making the long-hair variety rarer.

Eye diseases in dogs

Eyes are one of the sensitive parts of a dog. Most eye ailments in a dog appear on their eyelids. Dogs have three eyelids for each eye - the upper, lower and the third eyelid. These diseases may or may not cause pain and discomfort to your pet, however, if left untreated, can lead to severe conditions where the canine can even lose its vision. Hence, it is important to consult a veterinarian when you observe changes in your dog's eye.

Glaucoma - This is one of the most serious eye ailments found in the dogs. It is caused when fluids in the eye are not let out and cause increased pressure over the eye. When a dog is suffering from glaucoma, its eye may appear cloudy, red or swollen. There are two types of glaucoma - primary and secondary. It may cause pain to a dog, leading to depression and loss of appetite. If glaucoma is diagnosed at the initial stages, it can be treated.
Cataract - The normal transparent lens of the eye is filled with white opacities, blurring the vision of the dog. This disease is common in Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers. The cause that develop cataract, is usually heredity. However, it can appear with other eye diseases or diabetes. Cataract in dogs can be corrected surgically but complete vision may not come.
Conjunctivitis - It is caused due to the inflammation of conjunctiva, which is a tissue that lines the eyelids and attaches the eyeball to the cornea. If one eye gets affected, the other eye is also prone to it. It is commonly observed in puppies rather than the adult dogs. The eye may appear reddish and thick mucus may be discharged which is green or yellowish in color. Eyes are likely to stick together when closed and would be difficult to open.
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca - Also known as the dry eye condition. This condition is developed when the eye dries due to less production of tears.
Cherry Eye or Prolapsed Third Eyelid Gland - The tear gland, located in the corner of the eye bulges out and appears reddish. This condition of the eye is called cherry eye or the prolapsed third eye gland. This condition is not as critical as it appears and can be treated through surgery, where the popped gland is pushed back into its place. This eye disease is common in Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Napolean Mastiff etc.
Entropion - The eye lid tends to curl inward. This causes hair above the eye to fall on the eyeball thus causing corneal ulcer. Common symptoms are red or squinted eyes. The dog may sense pain and constantly scratch the eye which may cause more damage to the eye which may further lead to loss of eyesight. The treatment is surgery, which is known as blepharoplasty in which the eyelids are tightened. This condition affects almost all the dog breeds, however, there are some in which it is very common like the Saint Bernard, Great Danes, Rottweiler, poodles, Shar-Peis and Spaniels.
It is important to take your dog to a vet even if you find a slightest change in the appearance of their eye.