Albuquerque Journal Articles
Extra 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 MoreGrey Mucous can be Managed by Simple Eye Cleaning Question: I live in the East Mountains and have a 3-year-old healthy Doberman. Just recently with all of the high winds, I’ve noticed that my dog is getting a white, gooey discharge from her eyes after she wakes up in the mornings. Is this an allergy of some sort? She seems fine and does not paw her eyes or rub her face in the ground. Should I be worried? Dr. Nichol: The only good diagnosis is made on physical exam. That said, it is very likely that your dog has…
Read MoreA Risky Disease with Long Term Issues Question: I have a feral cat and cannot cage him to get him to a vet. Otherwise he jumps in my lap and is most lovable. He has an eye drainage. I have been using a damp cloth to clear the gunk. Is there any medication that would help? Dr. Nichol: You’re doing the right thing to eliminate his eye discharge; it’s teeming with organisms. That little guy may have a viral disease, like many feral cats, or there could be foreign material like a foxtail awn next to his eye. He…
Read MoreImmune Suppressive Diseases like Feline AIDS, Leukemia, & FIP are Important to Consider Question: We have the best cat in the world, his name is Bing. He has chronically goopy eyes. We’ve tried anti-allergen food, but it doesn’t reduce the discharge. We also tried an organic, non-silica kitty litter, which did no good. Is the eye stuff a big problem? Dr. Nichol: Bing thanks you for caring about his uncomfortable eyes and for bragging on his ranking in the world of cats. He is lucky to have you. That said, I’m concerned about that persistent infection. There are lots…
Read MoreInfectious upper respiratory diseases can linger & run rampant in multiple cat households. Question: I have a litter of white kittens who are approximately 3 months old plus 6 cats. They have never been outside but they have developed a discharge from their eyes and scabs around their noses. Only two of them are infected. They have not had any shots as of yet. Their behavior has not changed and they run and play and eat really well. And now another cat is getting the same symptoms. I am concerned it might be distemper even though they never go…
Read MorePossible Injury, Possible Birth Defect Question: I am in the process of purchasing a Lab puppy from a litter of 8. The one I picked seems to have a small amount of tearing, the others do not. Should I be concerned that might lead to eye problems later on? Or is this normal? Dr. Nichol: You may have reason for concern. If that new baby has a minor infection (conjunctivitis) it should be easy to manage with ointment or drops. On the other hand, tears may be overflowing onto your puppy’s face because the tear ducts are blocked with discharge…
Read MoreLet Go of Fears of Expense or Losing Cat-Get Treatment ASAP Question: A homeless, male tabby that comes by our home is such a sweet boy. Poor Goober has had a very bad infection in one eye for about 3 weeks. It’s very pink and it looks raw. I came close to hauling him to the animal hospital but I’m afraid they’ll fine us (he’s not really our kitty and he’s not microchipped). I’m not prepared to pay hundreds of dollars. What if they decide to keep him or euthanize him? I just want some medicine for Goober. Dr. Nichol: Goober…
Read More