Published in the February 18-March 3, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay
Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay
Visions problems in pets usually create an emergency for several reasons. Eye issues can progress from a simple irritating situation to something that threatens the vision of that eye in a short period. Many eye problems are painful and may require specific treatment for the eye problem in addition to medication to control the pain.
Aside from these reasons, it is difficult to determine over the phone in a conversation with a pet owner whether an eye problem is truly an emergency or not. Since many untreated eye diseases can result in visual loss, most veterinarians will consider all of them emergencies. Here are a few of the more common eye problems seen in our pets:
Corneal ulcers/scratches: The cornea is the outer surface of eyeball which is prone to injury. Scratches and abrasions to the cornea are common and can vary greatly in severity. They can range from obvious lesions that are visible with the naked eye to small pinpoint areas that can only be seen with special equipment and staining.
Regardless of the size of the lesions, any of them can progress to vision-threatening conditions if not treated promptly. They are often treated with antibiotics but sometimes require extensive care to obtain healing without permanent damage to the eye.
Cherry eye: Cherry eye is the common name for a prolapse of the gland near the inner corner of the eye. This is a condition that can be seen in any breed of dog or cat but is most common in bulldogs. Animals with a cherry eye have a sudden pink protrusion from the corner of the eye. Although the condition appears dramatic, it is usually not painful but can alter future tear production. Surgery is often recommended on a non-emergent basis.
Foxtails: We vets pull foxtails out of eyes on a daily basis during the dry months. Sometimes we can see a portion of the foxtail protruding from the eye. Other times the entire foxtail is embedded within the tissues and cannot be seen without numbing the eye and/or sedating the animal. These are extremely painful and typically result is an ulcer of the cornea which requires medical treatment.
Ocular trauma: Any type of ocular trauma or blunt injury should be evaluated right away. There are often changes to the back of the eye that can be extremely painful and can threaten vision.
Allergies/conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis, or inflammation of the pink tissues around the eye, can be caused by allergies, irritants, infection or other ocular diseases. Without special tools and stains, it can be difficult to determine whether the conjunctivitis is a simple problem or related to a more serious ocular disease.
Diabetic eye issues: Any changes in the appearance of the eyes or in vision in a diabetic patient should be evaluated immediately, as they are susceptible to glaucoma and cataracts often resulting in blindness if not addressed promptly.
Visual loss: Although changes can be the result of eye disease, it can also be an indication of serious systemic diseases, such as diabetes, kidney disease or high blood pressure.
Eye pain: Any discomfort, squinting, bulging or other abnormalities in the eyes should be evaluated.
Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay received her undergraduate degrees in biology, biochemistry and Spanish from the College of Notre Dame, Belmont. She graduated from U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children and plans to return to her equestrian pastime in the near future.
