Newsblurb: Pets, peepers & pain

This one caught my eye after reading on DryEyeTalk posts from members whose doctors frankly disbelieved their description of the pain they were in. If somebody out there cares enough about what dogs suffer from dry eye, erosions and ulcers, there are caring human eye doctors out there too, somewhere. (Doctors fitting this description, please raise your hands and make yourselves known. We need you!)

Your pet's eyes: Don't let problems go unseen
Dr. Jill Thompson
wnewsj.com

Concerned pet owners call the hospital almost every day with a question about their pet’s eyes.

The eyes may be too watery, too red, too squinty and so on. These are not problems that can be addressed over the phone. Many eye issues are not only a source of worry but true emergencies. If you have not been working with a veterinarian regarding your pet’s eye problems, plan on your pet being seen for its ocular irregularities.

Redness, tearing and squinting can all be signs of more ominous issues. Pets with allergies may experience eye problems, but this condition usually affects both eyes. Pets with problems in one eye may have an injury or underlying condition that needs attention. Pets with problems in both eyes also need a closer look from your veterinarian.

We commonly see pets with ulcers on the surface of the eye or cornea. This can be secondary to a scratch, dry eye or other causes. No matter the inciting cause, corneal ulcers are painful. They need to be addressed immediately to avoid further injury and discomfort. Your veterinarian can use a special stain to identify the ulcer and gauge the severity and prognosis. Dogs and cats that are brachycephalic (have a short nose often with prominent eyes) are at an increased risk for corneal injury. Their eyes are more likely to meet with injury because of their position.