Chronic superficial keratitis (i.e., pannus) most commonly affects German shepherds, greyhounds, Belgian malinois, and border collies, but can occur in any dog breed, or mixed breed, at any age. Pannus causes inflammation on the clear eye part (i.e., the cornea) and/or in the third eyelid that arises from the inner eye corner. Pets with severe [...]
The most common eyelid abnormality in dogs is called entropion, which is a frequent primary cause of tearing, squinting, and eye ulcers in young puppies. Entropion also occurs in older dogs, but is usually secondary to another underlying disease process. Treatment options for all dogs are similar. Veterinary Vision Center team members are entropion experts, [...]
In veterinary ophthalmology, we treat many different pet, food, and working animal species, each with their own unique eye structures, features, and functions adapted to their environments. Therefore, the same eye problem can present differently in different animals. But, dacryocystitis, which affects the tear drainage system and can lead to secondary issues, is one condition [...]
Lymphoma is a common cancer in pets, and a systemic condition that can involve multiple body systems, including the eye. Our Veterinary Vision Center team wants to provide information about ocular lymphoma, so you know what to expect in case your pet is affected. Pet lymphoma basics The term “lymphoma” describes a diverse group of [...]
November is Pet Diabetes Month, making this a good time to discuss how diabetes can affect your pet’s eyes. Complications in diabetic dogs frequently include cataracts and retinopathy. Our Veterinary Vision Center team would like to provide information about how these conditions can affect your dog and how they are managed. Diabete mellitus in dogs [...]
Are you the proud owner of a turtle, lizard, or snake? Or, maybe the reptile house is your favorite zoo attraction? Reptiles are unique members of the ecosystem and can be interesting pets, but their needs differ greatly from mammals. On October 21, reptile keepers and conservation advocates across the country use National Reptile Awareness [...]
October 12 is National Pet Obesity Awareness day, sponsored by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), which is dedicated to collecting data from veterinarians and pet owners regarding their pet’s weight, nutrition, obesity treatment strategies, and to understanding the consequences of excess weight in pets. As with humans, pet obesity in America has become [...]
First identified in humans, achromatopsia also affects dogs, impeding their ability to see in bright light. Our Veterinary Vision Center team explains this concerning condition, also known as day blindness, to help you determine if your dog is affected. The dog’s eye To understand achromatopsia, you must first understand the dog’s normal eye anatomy. The [...]
The retina is a light-sensitive cell layer at the back of the eye that contains photoreceptors. The lens focuses light that enters the eye onto the retina, and the photoreceptors convert the information into electrical signals that are sent to the brain for processing and interpretation. The retinal photoreceptors are classified as rod cells and [...]
The cornea is the protective, clear, outer eye covering that keeps the outside world out, while allowing light in. This tissue is vulnerable to injury because of its eye position and environmental exposure, which can result in corneal clouding or scarring that affects vision. Some corneal injuries heal on their own in a few days, [...]