Cataract Surgery in Dogs

Have you ever wondered how cataract surgery is actually performed? If so, read on as it really is a very interesting procedure! Cataract surgery is formally known as phacoemulsification. “Phaco” stands for lens, and to ‘emulsify’ means to break down. This is a great name for this procedure, because this is exactly what it is!

Normally the lens in the eye is a clear soft structure that allows light to easily pass through it. If there is any opacity on the lens, it is known as a cataract. A cataract occurs when proteins in the eye leak into the lens, and start to harden. A general rule of thumb is that if you cannot see into an animal’s eyes clearly, then it can’t see out at you clearly! Thus in a cataract, if the entire lens is opaque due to the protein that has leaked out, then the animal’s vision is reduced.

Cataract surgery involves two main tools; one to break up the cataract into smaller pieces, and the other to vacuum the pieces out of the eye. To begin, the animal is placed under general anesthesia so that it is completely unconscious during the procedure.

Shedding in Cats & Dogs

White hairs are stuck firmly in your favourite black sweater. Balls of hair are on the floor and they remind you of those tumbleweeds seen rolling about in classic cowboy movies. The never-ending battle with your pet’s fur can sometimes …

Issue 5: April 2003

Welcome to our fifth issue of the pets.ca newsletter. As with previous issues, we welcome your feedback and your suggestions. We want to know what interests you, and how you feel about all things pet related. Please send your comments …

Issue 6: May 2003

Welcome to our sixth issue of the pets.ca newsletter. We would like to welcome Petcare pet insurance as the featured sponsor this month. Their pet insurance plans will give you peace of mind if ever your cat or dog should …

Cats and dogs in pain – Pets in pain – Pet tip 125

Pain is an unpleasant experience that humans and animals alike will avoid if at all possible. When an animal’s pain is very great they will exhibit noticeable signs. The problem is that there is often a gap in communication between …

Veterinary Homeopathy

Veterinary Homeopathy “Homeopathy for pets, you say? I thought that was just for people!” That’s a common misperception among a growing number of clients I see that are involved with alternatives for their own health. With today’s growing demands on …

Heartworm testing in dogs – Pet tip 121

Late spring and early summer is when many dogs get tested for heartworm by their veterinarians. Why this time of year? The organism that causes the disease, Dirofilaria immitis, is transmitted by mosquito bites. There are three life stages of …

Tip 56 – Cat grooms owner – cat licking

Cats spend a large part of their day grooming themselves. They do it primarily by licking themselves clean. It is an important and necessary part of their daily routine. Cats don’t need to learn how to groom themselves it is …

Back Pain in Dogs and Cats

Back pain is something that many people can empathize with. Most everybody has suffered from back pain at some point in their lives, and while it can be pretty uncomfortable, it’s not usually considered a major health concern. You may …

Bladder stones in dogs – Pet tip 127

Bladder stones, or uroliths, are increasingly common in pets. Often the first signs of uroliths is straining to urinate and blood in the urine, or recurrent bladder infections. If a stone is small enough to leave the bladder but large …