The importance of the ophthalmological examination in pets

Author: Dr. Lia Ion, veterinary pet stuff

The ophthalmological examination has become more common in pets, being these important members of the family. The vision is the one that helps to orient themselves in the space and optimal development of daily activities.

AND Ophthalmological examination It should be performed every year in animals that have no specific signs of an eye condition and at least every 6 months in geriatric patients. A basic ophthalmological examination is also recommended to the first visit of the quadruped to the vet, after being taken from the nest. Some conditions can be inherited from parents or may occur shortly after birth, which require a diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. The general doctor should evaluate the symmetry between the two eyes, the degree of tracking of the surrounding objects, the presence of the eyelid reflection, respectively the closure of the eyelids when they reach them. It is also assessed if the patient has a certain degree of entroponio (curbing the eyelids inwards) or ectropion (restoring the eyelids outside, with highlighting the conjunctiva at a higher level). You can appreciate the pupil response to a bright stimulus and a butt exam per eye can be done using a direct ophthalmoscope. If the general doctor observes some changes and considers it necessary, it can refer to a doctor with more experience in veterinary ophthalmology.

There are some breeds of dogs and cats inclined to some specific ophthalmological conditions, for them the visit to the recommended obessment when the first signs of eye discomfort.

For example, OD – Congenital anomalies: microfalmia, persistence of the pupillary membrane, cataract. Metis, F, 2 years (Source) The sicca or the dry disease of the eye generally affect races of Brahicefalic dogs: English Bulldog, French bulldog, Shhtzu, Beijing, the first signs represented by the appearance of more abundant eye secretions, with a sero-muscoso appearance, adhering to the surface of the eye. The diagnosis is established by measuring the quantity of tears with the help of special paper – slovering bands. If the condition is aggravated, the blood vessels and pigmentation appear on the surface of the cornea, which can prevent vision. That’s why it is very important to administer the appropriate treatment over time.

OS – Cheratoconjuntitis Sicca, opacification and vascularization phase. Bichon, female, 7 years old (source of his own)

entroponio Usually it meets in brachycephaly breeds, both in dogs and in cats, but can occur in other breeds. In serious cases, which can also occur in young patients, the eyes can be closed almost completely, with the secondary aspect of corneal ulcers. The surgical remedy is often the only therapeutic option. Sometimes it can have been resorted to temporary solutions, such as the application of tractors, surgical staples or hyaluronic acid injections in the eyelids, until the patient can be subjected to surgery.

Some objective disorders (Cataract, crystalline dislocation) Or glaucomaIt can be congenital and can manifest itself very soon in the life of an animal. If they are not diagnosed and treated in time, as far as possible, they can lead to serious complications, influencing the vision of blindness or loss of the eyeball.

Patients subject to glaucoma, in particular dogs in the races of Jack Russel Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Husky, Akita, Samoyed, Basset Hound, should be evaluated with a specific method called Gonoscopy. With the help of a special lens, the corner between cornea and iris can be examined and can be determined if there are changes in the normal anatomical structure. In the event that the result indicates a pathology at this level, it is recommended to the prophylactic administration of antiglaucomatous drugs.

And at the level of the retina, the structure of the eyeball that deals with the capture of visual information, affected with a genetic component, manifested in some breeds, can occur. They can be listed between them Progressive retinal atrophyMeet mainly in the Labrador/ Golden Retriever race, Cocker Spaniel, German Brac, Retinal dysplasia, degeneration of the acute retina. A diagnosis of suspicion can be emitted following the anamnesis and ophthalmoscopic examination of the bottom of the eye. For a certain diagnosis of these diseases, a specific investigation is required, called electricalography, which measures the electrical activity in the retina level, similar to the electrocardiogram used for the cardiac examination.

When does the ophthalmological examination become an emergency?

• Trauma In the cranial region involving the eyebrows of the eye bulbs:
  • Road accidents, bites caused by other dogs, which can lead to the dislocation or invulsion of the eyeball (its exit). In this situation, a medical consultation for the patient is recommended, in order to stabilize the patient and decide if the eye can be saved by a repositioning surgery
  • Cut/spread horny wounds, produced by sharpened foreign bodies or by an cat’s claw
  • Clinical signs can manifest themselves from intense pain, dark eyes, excessive tears, small pupils, presence of blood inside the eyeball, which can sometimes be outsourced. The asset examination as quickly as possible can make a diagnosis of certainty, after which the therapeutic behavior will be established. Most of the time it is also recommended to perform an ocular ultrasound, to see if the crystalline has been influenced accordingly, post -traumatic cataract can occur or if the detachment of the retina has occurred. The treatment is often surgical, with the suture of the cornea and the application of a biomaterial that protects the surface of the eyeball and haste the healing.

• Acute glaucoma: The owner can see a sudden opacification on the surface of the eyeball (corneal edema), the pain manifested by tear, keeping the eye dark (blefarospas), sensitivity to light (photophobia). Tonometry is the only specific method capable of determining the value of intraocular tension, after which it is possible to establish the diagnosis of glaucoma and it is possible to decide adequate treatment. After receiving this diagnosis, the riflete will be carried out for short periods of time to verify the efficiency of the treatment established.

• Diabetic cataract: Patients with diagnosis of diabetes, in particular dogs, can develop cataracts at a range of several months. The owners observe the reduction of vision, with the stroke of obstacles, the opacification in the objective. Sometimes eye signs are the first ones who appear in case of diabetes. Secondary diabetic cataracts, wealthy raisins, a rather serious intraocular inflammation that requires early treatment to avoid subsequent complications and therefore increase the patient’s possibilities to become a candidate for cataract surgery can occur.

• Sudden blindness: Usually occurs due to retina disorders or level of the optical nerve. At the level of retina it can concern the degeneration of the acute retina, which leads to blindness in a short period of time. Most of the time it affects dogs, no changes are observed in the ophthalmological examination, only after the electrinography has been able to establish the diagnosis. The sudden loss of vision can be produced after the grip of the retina, which usually occurs after a serious or secondary ocular trauma with serious intraocular changes. In addition, a more common aspect in geriatric cats with heart or kidney disease can occur consecutively to systemic hypertension. With a correct diagnosis and an adequate treatment of systemic disease, there are situations in which the retina can be recalled, the patient is able to recover his partial vision.
• Optical neurita It is a serious inflammation of the optical nerve, which makes the secondary vision lose. The suspicion of this diagnosis can do it after the ophthalmological examination, but further investigations are recommended for a diagnosis of certainty: electrinography, cranial magnetic resonance imaging.

The ophthalmological examination can be done in other species of animals, including exotic ones, many of whom are considered family members. The tests that can be performed are similar to those of the dog and the cat, others adapted according to the patient.