sushil kumar

Canine Eye Health

Dog owners rely on general practice veterinarians to help maintain their pet’s overall health and well-being. Some conditions, however, require specialized care that falls outside the scope of what general practice veterinarians can provide. In these cases, specialists must be consulted. A veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who has completed additional training and passed an evaluatory examination in a specific area of veterinary medicine. Just like ophthalmologists who treat humans, veterinary ophthalmologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the eyes and associated structures. A variety of eye diseases are common among dogs, and many leads to discomfort and vision impairment or loss. According to Martin Coster, DVM, MS, DACVO, staff ophthalmologist at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, “the most common diseases we see in the canine eye are dry eye, cataracts, and glaucoma.” Some ocular conditions are thought to have a genetic origin whereas others occur with age or exposure to environmental conditions and can affect all dogs during their lifespan. Pug DogMany dog breeds have specific predispositions to various diseases. For example, flat-faced, or brachycephalic, breeds such as Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Bulldogs commonly suffer from corneal exposure as well as corneal dystrophies that can cause discomfort and vision loss. Likewise, dogs with long hair on and around their faces, such as Sheepdogs, Poodles, and Maltese can be more at risk of eye infection and irritation. The canine lifestyle also inclines dogs to injuries and infections. As such, dogs also commonly suffer from trauma-based ocular disease such as corneal ulcers and injuries to the eye. Dogs’ eyes are nearly identical in design and function to humans’ eyes. Therefore dogs and humans develop many of the same age-related changes. Chief among them are cataracts.“Fortunately, removal of cataracts and implantation of a new lens to restore near-normal vision is the same procedure in dogs as it is in humans and is highly successful,” says Robert English, DVM, Ph.D., DACVO of Animal Eye Care Veterinary Ophthalmology Practice PC in Cary, North Carolina. “Age-related retinal degenerations also occur in dogs,” he says. “Understanding of retinal degenerations in dogs and humans has improved,” yet “therapies to prevent the loss of vision are not yet available.” Some cloudiness in the eyes is associated with normal aging. “Most dogs with age develop a haze within the lens, similar to cataracts, called nuclear sclerosis,” Dr. Coster says. “Unlike cataracts, this condition rarely causes vision impairment. However, focusing ability may become impaired.”While eye conditions can have a hereditary origin, some disorders develop as a result of other health conditions. Systemic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers--all of which are more common among seniors--can cause eye disease. “High blood pressure, a common problem in certain breeds, is a leading cause of retinal detachment and loss of vision in older dogs,” Dr. English says. “Likewise, chronic dental disease can lead to changes in the eye that reduce vision.”Dogs typically exhibit a number of signs when they are experiencing eye trouble. These changes may be physical, behavioral, or both. “Many eye problems start with a ‘red eye.’ You may also note a color change across the surface of the eye or within the eye,” Dr. Coster says. “There may also be an increase in tearing, squinting, and rubbing at the eye, face, or head.” Excessive blinking, cloudiness, and discharge, particularly that which is thick and opaque, can also be a sign of eye disease. Discharge can be a common symptom of eye disease, however, as Dr. English points out, “many dogs have an intermittent or persistent ocular discharge as a result of allergies or the shape of their head and poor tear drainage.” He cautions that thick discharge “accompanied by squinting or rubbing at the eye is likely to be a sign of an eye problem that needs immediate attention.”Dog eyes while these signs in

Top Health Concerns

Infectious diseases are potentially life-threatening and can affect all dogs. Many of these diseases are also zoonotic, meaning they can affect humans, too. Being aware of key clinical signs and preventive measures are important to keep your dog healthy. Infectious diseases are potentially life-threatening and can affect all dogs. Many of these diseases are also zoonotic, meaning they can affect humans, too. Being aware of key clinical signs and preventive measures are important to keep your dog healthy.