Blastomycosis is an infection caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. This fungus is commonly found in Tennessee, southern mid-Atlantic states, Mississippi, Missouri and the Ohio river valley. Within these regions, exposure is most common in areas close to waterways such as lakes or rivers. Blastomycosis can infect a wide variety of animals, including humans. Therefore, it is important to seek a physician if you or your pet develops any signs of this disease.

On average, it takes 5-12 weeks from the time of infection to the development of clinical signs. Infection occurs by inhalation. Once inhaled, spores from this fungus can infect the lungs and then spread to other parts of the body. Blastomycosis can cause a wide variety of clinical signs, which may include the following:

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. It may also refer to an inflammation of the tiny glands of the eyelid margin called the meibomian glands. There are many causes but one of the most common we see is due to allergies and may require long term management especially if the underlying allergies are not controlled. We also see blepharitis occur spontaneously and your pet may just have one incidence, although treatment may take weeks to months. Other cases may require a biopsy in order to determine the cause.

Tiny eyelid glands produce olive oil-like fat needed to delay evaporation of the water in the tears. When this fat is gone due to clogging of the glands or the fat changes to a toothpaste-like consistency, evaporation of the watery tears occurs too quickly. The tear film protecting the cornea breaks apart into dry, unprotected spots, the cornea feels dry, so excessive tearing, and scar tissue may result.

Blepharitis may be very itchy and just like a child scratching at a mosquito bite, this can make the inflammation worse. We need to try to stop your pet from doing this. An E collar may be needed in the first few days of therapy. Antihistamines may be recommended.

Treating blepharitis requires a few different modalities:

1. Warm compresses may help in the first week to loosen up the clogged glands and clean away debris. Warm tap water on a facecloth can be applied to each eye for 5 minutes twice a day. Keeping the eyelids clean is essential in decreasing mucous buildup and associated bacteria.
2. Topical antibiotics may be used to decrease the bacteria on the eyelid margin. Ointment formulations may be prescribed in that they help to stabilize the water in the tear film by decreasing evaporation.
3. Antibiotics by mouth may also be prescribed. At times these may be given for several weeks and in some cases several months. Doxycycline or Cephalexin are commonly used but others may be employed. Please let us know if your pet is vomiting or shows any signs of gagging while taking these medications. They can be taken with food.
4. In some very inflamed cases, a steroidal anti-inflammatory may be used to decrease severe swelling.

Keep your pet away from heating or air conditioning vents and DO NOT let them stick their head out the car window. Keep your pet’s hair around the eyes timed short. Hang in there-even in people with blepharitis, treatment can take a while.

If you have any questions, please call us at Eye Care for Animals.

 

A variety of cacti thrive in Arizona, the most common of which are the prickly pear, cholla, saguaro, hedgehog cactus, barrel cactus and button cactus. The bristles and spines covering these cacti, especially the prickly pear and cholla are a frequent source of injuries in dogs’ and cats’ eyes.

At Eye Care for Animals, we often treat patients who present with spines impaled in or around the eye. Very often, these spines have penetrated the surface of the eye, reaching intraocular tissue, such as the iris or even the lens. In a few of our patients, we have seen spines that were completely embedded within the anterior chamber of the eye.

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is an opacity/cloudy change to the lens that blocks light from reaching the retina. Cataracts can develop in one or both eyes and in severe cases, can lead to blindness. Some cataracts may develop very quickly and result in overnight loss of functional vision.

Cataracts can vary greatly in appearance, ranging anywhere from small hazy dots that don't affect vision to complete whitening of the lens.  Cataracts often progress to affect larger areas of the lens. However, some cataracts remain the same size and never affect vision. Unfortunately, it is often very difficult to predict if and how quickly a cataract will progress.

General Information

The conjunctiva is a clear-to-pink tissue that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and covers the white portion of the eyeball (ie. the sclera). It is a protective layer that contains special glands whose secretions help maintain normal eye health.

Conjunctivitis is defined as inflammation of the conjunctiva, which causes it to become more red, itchy, and sometimes painful. It may occur in one or both eyes, depending upon the cause. There are many causes of conjunctivitis including foreign bodies, allergy, infection, chemical irritation (such as shampoo), dry eye or corneal ulceration.  Conjunctivitis may also occur secondary to glaucoma or inflammation inside the eye (ie. uveitis).