Albuquerque Journal Articles
Effective Treatment will Eliminate Pain & Preserve Eyesight Question: My elderly cat has red rimmed crusty eyes. What causes this and how do I treat? Dr. Nichol: Your kitty is really uncomfortable. Cats whose tear glands fail in their job of keeping the eyes moist have dry eye, also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca (abbreviated KCS). It’s somewhat unusual in cats but common in dogs. KCS is a serious problem. Symptoms can go well beyond chronic redness and a pus-like discharge. Many squint and have swelling of the third eyelid. The membranes beneath the upper and lower eyelids may also…
Read MoreMost Dogs Adjust well to Blindness. Brain Aging Changes are More Likely & Treatable Question: We have a 14 year-old, female Japanese Chin who is blind. Sometimes she complains and whines, but she doesn’t seem to be in pain. She can’t run and play like she used to love to do and just walks in little circles for hours on end. She has to be taken outside and taken to her bowl and, of course, she runs into walls and furniture. She is still loving and sweet but are we keeping her alive for us or for her? Dr.…
Read MoreAn Older Chow’s Blindness may be Reversible with Eyelid Surgery Question: I have a Chow and he is 10yrs old. Lately I have noticed that he runs into things. There’s a thin film on his eyes that wasn’t there before. I hate seeing him not being able to see. I was considering surgery but was told that surgery on a dog his age wouldn’t do any good and possibly make him blind. I would like to fix the problem if it’s possible. Dr. Nichol: Your older Chow is a special friend; it must be hard to see him handicapped…
Read MoreBrown Pigment on the Surface of the Eyes Can Cause Blindness in Pugs, Boston Terriers, & Lhasa Apsos. Question: I recently adopted a 10-month-old female fawn pug, Phoebe. I was told that she was probably blind and had keratitis pigmentosa. She sees fairly well. Is there anything I can do for her, or to help her with this condition? Dr. Nichol: Phoebe’s eye disease, also called superficial pigmentary keratitis, can be serious business in brachycephalic (pushed-in face) breeds like Pugs, Boston Terriers, and Lhasa Apsos. It’s unnecessary; dogs who look like they’ve been chasing parked cars didn’t result from…
Read MoreThere are Multiple Causes. Treatment is Usually Successful Question: I have a female mixed breed terrier (12 yrs. old) named Rosie whom we all love dearly. She has a white cloudiness in her eyes, and has trouble seeing well. She is not yet blind. What are my options for bringing her sight back? And how important is the timing (too late, now, soon, within a year)? Dr. Nichol: You are describing cataracts, a permanent gray/white lens color that prevents light from reaching the retinas. The end result is blindness, often noticed first at night. Cataracts in young dogs…
Read MoreSurgical Approaches to Correction in a Miniature Schnauzer Question: My miniature schnauzer will be 5, and has congenital cataracts (knew she had something wrong the first few days of having her home but oh well). She has a dachsund companion that helps her out but it’s sad to see her so disabled by her blindness when she runs into things. I heard that there is ophthalmic surgery. What do you recommend? Dr. Nichol: Your compassion and devotion for that special little dog touches my heart. It’s also good to know that she has her own seeing-eye dog. But…
Read MoreExtra eyelashes can cause discharge & damage the eyes. Question: I have a wonderful little female Bichon Frise. She has these really bad leaky eyes that turn the hair around her eyes brown and black. When I look real closely, especially at her left eye, looks like she has sleep in her eyes all the time. She is not a show dog, just our sweet little pet, so I just wonder how much this bothers her or if it causes her pain of any kind? Is there anything I can do to help her? Dr. Nichol: This…
Read MoreIt may be normal, or maybe not. Get a good physical exam. Question: We have recently acquired a new cat to our household. She is an odd eyed white. The pupil in the blue eye is always larger than the pupil in the yellow eye. Is this normal? She seems to be in good health otherwise. Dr. Nichol: Congratulations on your new kitty. You were smart to examine her carefully. Actually there are lots of white cats with eyes of different colors. Many with one or both blue eyes are deaf. That part’s really OK. But differing pupil…
Read MoreThird Eyelids can be visible with stress, infection, or foreign material. A good exam is important & essential. Question: I must say that I am very worried about my Maine coon kitten. This morning, when we woke up, we found that one of her eyes had an off-white coating on most of the eye. It doesn’t seem to bother him (he’s not scratching at it or grooming it or anything else) but it really worries me. It looks like the stuff that is usually in the inner corner of his eye. My daughter has said that when other cats…
Read MoreNot just unattractive, chronic eye can result. Surgical correction is best. Question: I just bought a boxer/bulldog mix and he has what you call a cherry eye. What do I do about it? Dr. Nichol: This is a common eye disease but I wish it hadn’t been named after food. It’s an oxymoron like jumbo shrimp and military intelligence. OK, cherry eye. It’s not an emergency but it is important. The eyeball itself is fine. The problem is in the pink membrane that sits just below the eyes of our dogs. This structure, called the third eyelid…
Read More