Vet Times

Tag: Ocular disorders

  • The lead hat

    The lead hat

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    I wonder if it’s different for everyone. With me, it was the hat made of lead. I’d feel it start to press down on my skull as I entered the practice, and with everyone that approached saying “I’m sorry to grab you before you start, but I need to talk to you about…” that hat…

  • Systemic hypertension, part 3: treatment, monitoring and prognosis

    Systemic hypertension, part 3: treatment, monitoring and prognosis

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    Systemic hypertension, part 1 Systemic hypertension, part 2: clinical signs and diagnosis The ultimate goal of managing systemic hypertension (SH) is to prevent target organ damage. Depending on the patient’s risk category – based on their systolic and diastolic pressures – it will determine whether acute, emergency interventions or chronic, long-term management will be required.…

  • Systemic hypertension, part 2: clinical signs and diagnosis

    Systemic hypertension, part 2: clinical signs and diagnosis

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    Systemic hypertension, part 1 Systemic hypertension (SH) alone is often asymptomatic until it is severe, making early detection difficult. For this reason, it is important to know the diseases, illnesses, and other causes that can contribute to SH and recognise their clinical signs. From there, through thorough diagnostic investigations, a diagnosis will, hopefully, result then…

  • Systemic hypertension, part 1

    Systemic hypertension, part 1

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    Blood pressure monitoring is a standard practice as part of human medicine physical examination. In veterinary medicine, however, this is often omitted due to patient compliance issues, as well as inaccuracy as a result of transient hypertension caused by stress and fear. Systemic hypertension ultimately results in target organ damage – brain, heart, kidneys and…

  • Joey’s big break

    Joey’s big break

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    As autumn seems to be on the verge of appearing, September 11th is on my mind. Not for the obvious reason but because on this day last year Joey got his big break. Not in snooker or on the stage, but his left hind. In a squirrel related incident during a walk he didn’t even…

  • Intoxication: decontamination advice

    Intoxication: decontamination advice

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    Building on from last week’s blog on telephone advice, this is what I advise owners they can do at home if their pet has been exposed to a toxin. The main exposure routes are ocular, dermal and gastrointestinal. Ocular Acids and alkalis cause the most severe effects, as they can cause ongoing damage for some…

  • Euthanasia (part 1): caring for the client

    Euthanasia (part 1): caring for the client

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    Euthanasia is a big part of our work as veterinarians. Working in an emergency setting, it is something I have to face on every shift. It doesn’t get any easier no matter how many times I have to do it, but I have fine-tuned my approach over the years so each euthanasia process runs as…

  • Instrumental

    Instrumental

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    I’ve had this blog post brewing for a while. Bear with me as, even for me, this is a bit niche! A common OSCE question is: “How many instruments do we need to learn?”. The simple answer is: “Commonly used instruments you would find in a first opinion clinic – including orthopaedic, ophthalmology and general…

  • Learning to speak out about pregnancy loss

    Learning to speak out about pregnancy loss

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    This week (9-15 October) sees Baby Loss Awareness Week in action. It’s a time to reflect, remember, and discuss our experiences to help others to feel less alone. After experiencing two early miscarriages this year in February and June, I found talking about my experiences to help others was the best way to work through…

  • Unpacking the fear

    Unpacking the fear

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    As a vet, everyone expects you to have an interest in and love for all animals. However, some vets are allergic, scared or unfamiliar with particular species. For me, it’s alpacas. I’m not fond of them. In fact, I would even describe it as a borderline phobia, which stems from being spat at by the…