Spring 2018 THE NEW BARKER 75 www.TheNewBarker.com Dry eye is also a common cause of corneal ulcers or corneal erosions, which are acutely painful defects in the uppermost surface of the eye. Affected pets will experience squinting, tearing, redness around the eye and may paw at it due to the discomfort.The pet should be examined immedi- ately if these symptoms occur.The photo on the right shows stain outlining a large corneal erosion (Photo courtesy of Dr.Andrew Melville-Smith). There is a less common form of tear defect in which the pet produces plenty of tear,but it is very watery and lacks the mucoid component, evaporating so readily that it provides little protection to the cornea.This is called a tear quality deficiency since the quantity of tears is actually adequate. It will, however, cause much the same symptoms.An eye that is simply too dry will exhibit irritation and thick, yellow-green mucus that con- stantly accumulates in and around the affected eye(s). In summary, short-nosed breeds are predisposed to cer- tain eye problems that can lead to corneal damage and vision loss if unrecognized. Many of these problems are common in other breeds as well. If your pet has excessive discharge from the eyes, squinting or darkening of the cornea (eye surface), please have them examined to determine if they have an eye- lid or tear problem that needs to be addressed.The majority of these problems can be treated or reversed before the dog loses vision or suffers discomfort if we recognize the problem before it progresses to the point of being irreversible. U Elizabeth F. Baird, DVM, CVPP, CCRT, cVMA is the owner of Country Oaks Animal Hospital and Steele Pain Mangement & Rehabilitation Center 1412 Belcher Road Palm Harbor, Florida 34683. 727.785.6524 or 727.785.HURT Dr. Elizabeth F. Baird with KeevaRue and Stitch. STEVEN C. LEWIS, DVM 225 E. Davis Island Blvd., Tampa Open 6 Days a Week with Convenient Hours. In-House Laboratory, Radiology, Laser Surgery, Dental Cleaning and More. Call for an appointment t 813.251.4384 FAX: 813.251.4398 www.DavisIslandAnimalClinic.com Accredited by the USDA for all health certificates, interstate and international. Follow Us On FACEBOOK for More Health and Behavior Tips. YOUR HOMETOWN VETERINARIAN. Our pain management and rehab center also treats painful conditions, varying from the chronic pain of advanced arthritis to cancer pain and postoperative discomfort following major surgery. A FULL-SERVICE VETERINARY HOSPITAL AND BOARDING FACILITY, PROVIDING MEDICAL AND SURGICAL CARE FOR COMPANION ANIMALS. FOR HELPFUL TIPS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITES AT COUNTRYOAKSANIMALHOSPITAL.COM AND STEELEPAINCENTER.COM ELIZABETH F. BAIRD, DVM, CCVP, CCRT, CVMA CERTIFIED IN PAIN MANAGEMENT, REHABILITATION AND ACUPUNCTURE. D SURGICAL CARE DICAL AN G ME OVIDIN PR AL AN Y HOSPIT AR RIN TE VE VICE R A FULL-SE S. IMAL AN ION AN FOR COMP D SURGICAL CARE , Y ACILIT G F D BOARDIN AL AN . y major surger pain and postoperative discomfort follo the chronic pain of advanced arthritis to cancer ying from var also treats painful conditions, Our pain management and rehab center E. CTUR D ACUPUN AN TION A HABILIT RE , T T, N AGEME MAN AIN P D IN RTIFIE CE , CVMA , CCRT BAIRD, DVM, CCVP BAIRD, DVM, CCVP, CCRT . TH F ABE LIZ E R.COM TE N AINCE ELEP STE D AN COM . AL IMALHOSPIT SAN TRYOAK COUN AT VISIT OUR WEBSITE LPFUL TIPS, PLEASE HE FOR wing pain and postoperative discomfort follo the chronic pain of advanced arthritis to cancer ying from Our pain management and rehab center COM S VISIT OUR WEBSITE 1412 Belcher Road Palm Harbor 727.785.6524