Here at the Animal Eye Center, we see a lot of dogs. Next blog we’ll talk about why so much of our animal eye care focuses on dogs...but even though we treat a lot of cataracts and pannus in dogs, they're far from the only creature we're seeing on a daily basis. We love treating both large and small animals, so here are a few of the other animals we’re seeing and the problems most often found.

Cats: One of the most common problems we see in cats is Feline Herpes Virus, which often occurs in just one eye and can lead to "squinting cat." Flare ups are usually caused by stressful events, like moving or bringing new pets into the home. (Please note that this is feline-specific and is not transferable to humans.) Give us a call if you notice your cat squinting more than usual. Left untreated, FHV can lead to ulcers and other complications.

Rabbits: Conjunctivitis can also be a problem in rabbits, and can be either bacterial or viral. Sometimes it's caused by poor ventilation and too much urine-soaked bedding. Believe it or not, the problem...

That are several considerations that pet owners must be aware of, but the one that owners seem to commonly miss is in eye care. Animals are vulnerable to any number of problems with their eyes, even something as uncomplicated as getting plant material in your pet's eye can cause a host of difficulties. It is important that as a pet owner, you learn the fundamentals of caring for your pet's eyes.

As in all facets of your pet's well-being, one key to preventing advanced eye problems is by catching them before they progress. It is critical that you perform routine health checks on your pet's eyes to better discover a developing problem or eye disease. Here are a few tips in maintaining favorable eye health for your pet.

• Examine your pet's eyes in a well-lit room.
• Make sure your pet's eyes are bright and clear.
• Check for any signs of abnormal discharge (clear, yellow, or green) and crust around the eyes.
• Should there be a need to remove discharge or crust, use a clean cotton ball soaked in 1:5 dilute baby...

There are many reasons to make an appointment with your Northern Colorado canine ophthalmologist. For example, if your dog suffers from cataracts.

A cataract is an irregularity of your dog’s lens in which opacity, a cloudy development, inhibits light from reaching the retina. You dog may suffer a cataract in one eye or have cataracts in both eyes. This is a serious condition that can cause your dog to go blind.

A cataract can take on a variation of appearances, it may start of as tiny dots that eventually progress into larger ones in areas of the lens. Progression of this condition may be slow or rather quick, but the speed is very difficult to foretell.

There are a few ways in which your dog may develop cataracts. Cataracts can be inherited, or caused by an inflammation in the eye, an internal disease (like diabetes) or result from an injury to the eye or eyes. And even though the underlying cause could be difficult to identify, cataracts that develop without other conditions are often assumed to be inherited. However, if the cataract occurs in...

Even the most minor of eye injuries in your pet can develop into an infected wound and even possible loss of the eye. An eye injury is something you never want to take to chance. Pursue immediate treatment, even if the eye injury seems minor.

There are signs that you can watch for if your pet has suffered an eye injury or is possibly suffering from an eye condition. If you notice your pet is blinking excessively, squinting, there is redness, discharge, or cloudiness of one or both eyes there could be a problem.

As in humans, eye injuries in dogs often occur when an object or another pet scratches the eye. Additionally, abnormal eyelash growth, eyelid formation, or genetic issues can lead to problems in your dog’s eyes.

If your dog has suffered an injury from a fight or trauma take it to your ophthalmologist right away. In the extreme case in which your dog’s eye has vacated the socket, never attempt to replace it. Do not attempt to treat or bandage the eye. If there is active bleeding, you may apply pressure with clean gauze against the wound. Please know what...