Veterinary Articles

Specialized instruments are required for delicate ocular surgery. The American Conference of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) asserts that microsurgery of the cornea and intraocular structures should only be performed by or under the supervision of a board-certified ophthalmologist. However, there are surgeries of the ocular adnexa that can be comfortably performed by other qualified veterinarians. This article will describe the minimal instrumentation (an “eye pack”) necessary for a general practitioner to perform these procedures (Table 1). Ophthalmic instruments are typically no larger than a pen or pencil and have been designed…

Drug shortages, recalls, and discontinuations of medications are occuring with greater frequency within the United States and this can adversely affect veterinary patients. Just this past July, Altaire Pharmaceuticals (headquartered in Aquebogue on Long Island) issued a voluntary recall of 99 different prescribed products including ophthalmic ointments of neomycin, polymyxin B and dexamethasone; neomycin, polymyxin B and bacitracin zinc with hydrocortisone; and neomycin, polymyxin B and bacitracin zinc. Subsequent high demand for an alternative suspension of neomycin, polymyxin B and dexamethasone (Figure 1) quickly depleted its supply. Altaire also recalled…

Diabetic animals present unique anesthesia challenges to surgeons due to potential complications including hypovolemia, hyper or hypoglycemia, and autonomic dysfunction. Significant changes in the acid/base status and electrolytes of diabetic animals must be managed before, during, and after anesthesia. Various anesthetic agents can also affect insulin and/or glucose levels. Since many diabetic animals undergo cataract surgery, ophthalmologists may operate on more of them than other clinicians. This article will review the different complications of diabetic animal anesthesia and methods to restrict these outcomes. When a diabetic animal’s blood glucose level…

Client compliance with ocular and oral medications is a constant challenge and an essential component of any veterinary treatment plan. Most clients can adhere to a brief regimen of drug administration for their pets. However, persistent administrations of medications for months to years can be problematic. Typically, client compliance decreases as additional medications are added to a regimen, or as their frequency of administration is increased. There are a number of strategies for increasing compliance especially for clients administering multiple chronic medications to their pets. Medication adherence or (compliance) is…

Dogs often present to ophthalmic services with superficial non-healing corneal ulcerations that have persisted for weeks or even months. These ulcers are also classified into various types including spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCEDs), indolent erosions or ulcers, and Boxer ulcers. Clinical signs of these chronic ulcers tend to wax and wane, confusing and frustrating both clients and veterinarians. Eyes with these ulcerations may also further deteriorate in their appearance due to corneal neovascularization and the development of granulation tissue. Traumatic events are a suspected etiology of many corneal ulcerations….

Dogs frequently present with masses along the eyelid margin. Benign canine eyelid masses outnumber malignant ones at a ratio of 3 to 1. Most of these masses are tumors of the meibomian glands that line the eyelid margins and normally supply lipids (meibum) to the tear film. As dogs age and develop numerous sebaceous skin tumors, they are also more likely to develop these minimally invasive meibomian tumors. Meibomian tumors of the dog include epithelioma (originating from the epithelia lining the duct of the gland), sebaceous adenoma, and acinar adenocarcinoma…