Your pet’s eyes allow perception of colors, forms, and depth. What you see from the outside represents a fraction of what the eye beholds. A dog and cat’s eye is a complex organ that offers a window into the rest of the body. When looking inside the eye with specialized equipment, your veterinarian sees blood vessels, nerves, and lymphoid tissue that cannot be seen in other areas of the body from the outside.
The structures within the eye comprise 3 basic layers: 1) the protective, enveloping layer that you see from the outside-the white sclera and clear cornea; 2) the blood vessel layer, known as the uvea, and 3) the neurologic layer or retina. Inflammation in any of these layers of the eye results in a red eye. Careful examination of these three layers by your veterinarian determines if the cause of the red eye indicates a local problem, such as conjunctivitis or glaucoma; or a systemic problem, such as retinal bleeding caused by an elevated systemic blood pressure.
The skin is the largest organ in the body; it acts like a glove over your pet’s body providing warmth and protection. Secretions from the skin keep germs and water outside the body and bodily fluids inside the body. Breakdowns in this protective barrier lead to many conditions, such as, hair loss, infections, and fluid losses.
The appearance of your pet’s skin provides insight to the overall health of your pet. Common conditions affecting your pet’s skin include: allergies, bacterial and yeast infections, ringworm, and external parasites, such as fleas and mites. Systemic conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, hormonal imbalances, or nutritional deficiencies, display characteristic patterns in the skin.
Your pet’s ears are an extension of your pet’s skin. The ears are divided into 3 sections: 1) the external ear canal extends from the outside to the ear drum, 2) behind the ear drum lays the middle ear (tympanic cavity), and lastly, 3) the inner ear. In contrast to people, the majority of ear problems in dogs and cats occur in the external ear canal. Inflammation of the external ear canal often results in bacterial and/or yeast infections. Left untreated, these infections will extend into the middle and inner ear cavity, causing diminished hearing and loss of balance.
The eyes, ears, and skin of your pet can be a gateway to the inside of your pet’s body. While the eyes, ears, and skin display their own pathologies separately, they can also be indicators of a more systemic process.
Your dog’s ears are an extension of your pet’s skin. The dog’s ear canal is divided into 3 sections: 1) the L-shaped external ear canal extends from the outside to the ear drum, 2) behind the ear drum lays themiddle ear (tympanic cavity), and lastly, 3) the inner ear. In contrast to people, the majority of ear problems in dogs occur in the external ear canal. Inflammation of the external ear canal, commonly caused by allergies, may result in bacterial and/or yeast infections. Left untreated, these infections may extend into the middle and inner ear cavities, causing loss of hearing and balance.
Ear mites commonly afflict young animals. These microscopic mites inhabit the surface of the ear canal and occasionally the surrounding tissues of the face. Pets acquire ear mites after coming into contact with other infected pets. Pets with ear mites may experience itching and redness of the head/ears, hair loss around the ears, excessive waxy discharge, and odor. Diagnosis of an ear mite infection requires visual inspection of the ear canal and demonstration of ear mites or their eggs under the microscope. Treatment of ear mite infections include: 1) a thorough ear cleaning (to remove the waxy debris that serves as food for the mites), and 2) application of topical therapies to eradicate the mite infection and 3) treat for secondary infections that often develop concurrently. All pets in the household should be treated at the same time; your pet’s bedding should be thoroughly washed to prevent reinfection.
Your pet’s ear is shaped like the letter L. The portion you can see from the outside (vertical canal) is only half of the ear canal. The vertical canal angles into the horizontal canal, which ends at the ear drum (tympanic membrane). Otitis externa refers to inflammation of the external ear canal caused by: ear mites, allergies, foreign bodies, and infections to name a few. Pets with otitis externa may shake their head, show pain when pet near their ear, head shaking/rubbing, redness within ear canal, and odor. Some dogs with otitis externa show no symptoms and the infection is found incidentally on examination by the groomer or veterinarian. Physical examination is necessary to examine the ear canal and determine the extent of the inflammation. Your veterinarian will obtain a sample of the discharge from the ear to evaluate for the presence of bacteria, yeast, and mites. Most cases of otitis externa are treated with an ear cleaner, to remove inflammatory debris, and a topical medication to resolve the infection. Recheck examinations are important to ensure that the infection has completely resolved. Unresolved infections may break through the ear drum and progress to a middle ear infection.
Otitis interna describes inflammation of the innermost portion of the ear responsible for hearing and balance. Dogs with otitis interna have a head tilt toward the affected side; they may be circling or staggering due to loss of balance. The cause of otitis interna most commonly originates from an untreated middle ear infection. Rarely, internal ear inflammation results from a tumor. Diagnosis of otitis interna begins with a physical examination to rule out other neurologic abnormalities. To determine the full extent of the inflammation, imaging (such as a CT scan) is necessary. Treatment for otitis interna requires long term use of systemic antibiotics to treat the infection. In severe cases, surgery may be required to mechanically remove the debris and infection from deep within the ear. Follow-up appointments are critical to the resolution of otitis interna.
Anatomically, the ear canal is divided into three sections: external, middle, and inner portions. Otitis media refers to inflammation of the middle portion of the ear. Unlike in people, otitis media in dogs and cats commonly occurs as an extension of an external ear infection. Unresolved external ear infections break through the ear drum, pushing the infection into the depths of the middle ear. Pets with otitis media develop excessive waxy and or pus-filled discharge, odor, hearing loss, and pain around their ears; they may shake their head or rub their ears. Diagnosis of otitis media begins with a close inspection of the ear canal using an illuminated otoscope. Large amounts of discharge, infection or the presence of a foreign body may preclude diagnosis until the debris can be removed. Otitis media is a painful condition; deep sedation and/or general anesthesia may be required for visualization of the deeper portions of the ear to make a definitive diagnosis. Treatment of otitis media must address the infection (topical and oral antibiotics and/or antifungal medications), inflammation (cleaning the ears of debris and anti-inflammatory medications), and underlying causes (e.g.: hypothyroidism, allergies, and foreign bodies). Pets with severe or non-responsive otitis media may require imaging (e.g.: x-rays or CT scan) to determine the full extent of the disease. Resolution of severe infections often necessitates surgery to mechanically remove the infection or tumor. Frequent recheck examinations ensure that the infection resolves completely. Your veterinarian will discuss strategies with you to prevent recurrence.
Your dog’s eyes allow perception of colors, forms, and depth. Their eyes are specially adapted to see well in the dark due to the presence of a tapetum. You can see the yellow-green reflective layer of the tapetum when you shine a light in your dog’s eye in the dark. A dog’s eye is a complex organ that offers a window into the rest of the body. When looking inside the eye with specialized equipment, your veterinarian sees blood vessels, nerves, and lymphoid tissue that cannot be seen in other areas of the body from the outside. Inspection of the inner layers of your dog’s eye reveals whether the cause of the red eye indicates a local problem, (such as conjunctivitis or glaucoma) or a systemic problem (such as retinal bleeding caused by an elevated systemic blood pressure).
Cataracts are opacities within the lens of the eye that cause vision impairment and may lead to blindness. To an untrained eye, normal aging changes in the lens of the eye may appear as cataracts. Your veterinarian has special equipment to distinguish cataracts from aging changes. Cataracts develop more commonly in some breeds of dogs (e.g.: Boston Terrier, Cocker Spaniel) and in dogs with diabetes mellitus. Other causes of cataracts include ocular trauma, congenital (born with the condition), and inflammation within the eye (uveitis, glaucoma, drug reaction, radiation therapy). The ideal therapy for mature cataracts is surgical removal by a veterinary ophthalmologist. Removal of the cataract filled lens restores eyesight and minimizes complications associated with the cataract, such as glaucoma and uveitis. Successful outcomes require treatment and control of any underlying conditions (e.g.: controlling blood sugar levels in a diabetic patient).
Corneal ulceration refers to a breakdown in the surface of the cornea (clear membrane that encapsulates the front of the eye). Trauma to the eye is the most common cause of ulceration to the cornea. Other causes include: viral infections (e.g.: Herpesvirus in cats), bacterial infections, abnormal eyelash growth, allergies, and medications. Pets with a corneal ulcer tear excessively, squint, and blink their eyelids often. Diagnosis of a corneal ulcer requires a special stain to highlight the ulcer and determine the extent of its border. Corneal ulcers are treated with antibiotic drops; some pets may also need drops to decrease the inflammation within the eye. Severe ulcerations require surgery to repair the defect and prevent corneal rupture. Corneal ulcerations must be monitored closely with frequent recheck examinations to ensure resolution. Part of any therapy for corneal ulceration must also address the primary cause of the ulcer to prevent recurrence.
The eyelids protect the eyes from trauma and prevent drying. The term ectropion describes a drooping of the eyelids. Ectropion is not only a cosmetic issue, but it is a medical problem that causes a breakdown in the protective barrier of the eye to cause chronic inflammation, infections, and pain. Certain breeds such as St. Bernards and Cocker Spaniels have a higher incidence of this heritable condition. Symptoms related to ectropion include watery eyes, red eyes (conjunctivitis), pus discharge, and pain. Treatment for ectropion varies based on the severity of the defect. Asymptomatic dogs may not require treatment. Dogs with mild symptoms may be treated conservatively with topical medications to keep the eye lubricated and free of infection. Severe abnormalities causing chronic infections and pain require surgery to restore eyelid conformation and relieve pain.
The eyelids protect the eyes from trauma and prevent drying. The term entropion describes eyelids that roll in towards the eye. This painful condition causes the lashes and haired skin of the lid to rub against the surface of the eye (cornea) causing inflammation and ulceration. Entropion can be congenital (born with) or acquired. Breeds commonly affected (e.g.: Shar Peis, Saint Bernards) by congenital entropion typically have large skin folds on their face or have short faces. Acquired entropion may occur with obesity, ocular inflammation (e.g.: allergies), and swelling due to trauma. Dogs suffering from entropion may have ocular discharge (watery, pus), squinting, itchiness, and pain. Left untreated, entropion causes chronic pain and may lead to permanent damage to the cornea and blindness. Young dogs with congenital entropion may be treated medically with lubrication drops to see if they grow out of the condition. Severe cases of entropion in young dogs may require surgery to temporarily pull the lids away from the cornea. Final correction of the entropion is not done until your pet is fully grown. Treatment of acquired entropion focuses on addressing the underlying cause, such as weight loss and allergy relief.
One of the places that your pet may be showing signs of age is in the eyes. When you look into your pet’s eye, you may notice cloudiness within the pupil (black center of the eye). The cloudiness is caused by a thickening (sclerosis) of the lens (allows your pet to focus) that occurs with age. To help understand what is happening, think of the lens as an onion with multiple layers. As your pet ages, the space between the layers becomes more compact. As the layers compress with age, light refracts more, giving the lens a cloudy appearance. To an untrained eye, nuclear sclerosis can look similar to a cataract. Your veterinarian can distinguish between an aging change and a cataract using a specialized instrument called an ophthalmoscope. It is important to distinguish between lenticular sclerosis, a normal aging change that does not require therapy, and cataracts, which may require medical and/or surgical intervention. Lenticular sclerosis typically does not significantly affect your pet’s vision unless the condition is more marked.
The skin is the largest organ in the body; it acts like a glove over your dog’s body providing warmth and protection. Secretions from the skin form a barrier to keep germs and water outside the body and bodily fluids inside. Breakdowns in this protective barrier cause hair loss, infections, and fluid losses. The appearance of your dog’s skin provides insight to the overall health of your pet. Common conditions affecting your dog’s skin include: allergies, bacterial and yeast infections, ringworm, and external parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and mites. Systemic conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, hormonal imbalances, or nutritional deficiencies, may display characteristic patterns in the skin to help your veterinarian diagnose the underlying problem.
Cheyletielliosis, a mite infection also known as walking dandruff, causes an acute onset of intense itching. Pets acquire this mite infection when exposed to another infected animal. Puppies, kittens and immunosuppressed pets are more commonly affected than adult pets. Cheyletiella mites spend their entire life cycle on your pet. Female mites, however, may drop into the environment and survive for up to 10 days. To diagnosis Cheyletiella, a scale sample (taken with a flea comb or by pressing tape to the skin) is examined under the microscope. Finding eggs and/or mites confirms the diagnosis. Absence of eggs and/or mites does not necessarily rule out the infection; definitive diagnosis may be delayed until a response to therapy is seen. Repeated treatment with topical miticidal therapies eliminates the mite infection. All pets in the household need to be treated concurrently. Some pets may develop secondary infections that require oral antibiotic therapy. Pet sleeping areas need to be washed thoroughly to prevent recurrence.
Small deer ticks easily hide within the coat of your pet. Deer ticks hitch a ride from your pet as your pet walks through grassy, woody areas. Deer ticks attach to your pet for a blood meal. During that blood meal, infected ticks may transmit disease (e.g.: Lyme’s Disease) to your pet. The best treatment for ticks is prevention: regular use of topical therapies that prevent tick attachment to your pet’s skin. If you find a tick on your pet, call your veterinarian for direction on removal: do not use remedies such as a touching the tick with a match or gasoline. Pets bit by a tick should be watched closely for signs of tick borne illness: lethargy, joint pain, fever, or loss of appetite. If any of these signs occur, you should have your pet evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Demodicosis is a non-contagious parasitic skin disease caused by a mite (Demodex sp.) that normally inhabits your pet’s hair follicles. A healthy immune system ensures that the mite population remains under control. Demodex mites may over-populate in the skin of young animals with developing immune systems and in immunocompromised pets. Symptoms of demodicosis may be as mild as patchy hair loss and may progress to generalized hair loss and itchiness. Diagnosis of demodicosis is based on history, physical examination findings, and identification of numerous microscopic Demodex mites from a skin scraping. Older patients diagnosed with demodicosis require more extensive testing (blood tests, imaging) to look for a cause of the compromised immune system (e.g.: Cushing’s disease, cancer, chronic illness). Treatment for demodicosis includes: 1) topical and/or oral medications to reduce the numbers of Demodex mites, 2) antibiotics and/or antifungals to resolve secondary infections, and 3) therapy for the underlying primary disease in immunocompromised patients.
Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is the leading cause of itching in dogs and cats. A bite from a single flea is enough to cause tremendous itching. Pets with FAD have a characteristic pattern of itchiness, hair loss, and secondary infections. Lesions develop along their backs extending to the tail and down the backs of the legs. Diagnosis of FAD is based on demonstrating the characteristic pattern of inflammation. Your veterinarian will check your pet for fleas and “flea dirt”, which appears as small black specks on your pet’s skin. The lack of fleas or flea dirt does not rule out FAD. All pets with FAD must be on topical therapy to prevent the fleas from biting. Oral flea preventives are helpful to break the flea cycle, however, they are not helpful as sole therapy in patients with FAD as the flea must bite the pet first to ingest the preventive. The home needs to be treated by an experienced professional exterminator, paying particular attention to your pet’s bedding and under furniture. The best treatment for fleas is prevention: year round monthly preventive topical applications.
Control of the flea population in your pet’s world is important, not only from a comfort perspective, but also from a health perspective. Fleas carry diseases that can infect your pet and family members (e.g.: blood parasites and the plague).When a single flea is found, this represents a mere 1 % of the entire problem: the other 99% includes their eggs and larvae that are developing in your carpets and bedding. Homes with fleas must be treated aggressively to prevent infestations. Hiring a professional exterminator is essential for rapid eradication. Protect your pets from flea bites and associated diseases, with year-round application of monthly topical preparations. Year round application ensures that fleas do not enter your warm home and set up house during the winter months.
The thyroid glands rest on each side of the neck. These small glands secrete thyroid hormone to regulate the body’s metabolism. An excess of this hormone increases the metabolic rate (hyperthyroidism), while a deficiency slows down the metabolic rate (hypothyroidism). Hypothyroidism is much more common in dogs; hyperthyroidism is rare and often associated with thyroid cancer. Hypothyroidism tends to develop in middle aged dogs; certain breeds are predisposed (e.g.: Golden Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers). Symptoms of hypothyroidism demonstrate a declining metabolic rate: decreased energy level, weight gain. Other symptoms involve the skin: thinning of the hair coat, dry skin, skin infections, and ear infections. Treatment of hypothyroidism is simple: lifelong oral thyroid hormone supplementation. Dogs treated with thyroid hormone replacement live normal, active lives.
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