Diagnosis of Eye Infections in Dogs
When a veterinarian is attempting to diagnose the cause of an eye infection in a dog, there are several diagnostic procedures that may need to be executed. Due to the varying viral, bacterial and allergen-related causes of eye infections in dogs, it is very important that a veterinarian determine what exactly is causing a dog's eye infection. This is extremely important, because a veterinarian needs to prescribe the best medication that will be effective in remedying eye infections in dogs.
Ophthalmoscopic Examination
This diagnostic procedure is a generalized exam to test a dog's vision, depth perception, identify objects, as well as identify any potential problems relating to the eyes. This usually includes a general visual examination of the eyes, eyelids, and all surrounding tissue. A veterinarian may test a dog's response to light, which is accomplished by flashing a bright light into a dog's eyes while holding the eyelids to prevent blinking.
Tear Duct Test
Since some eye infections result from insufficient production of tears by the tear ducts, a veterinarian may need to do this diagnostic procedure to check for proper functionality of a dog's tear ducts. This procedure is usually implemented if a veterinarian suspects the cause of the infection to be "Dry Eye". A strip of specialized paper is inserted under a dog's eye lid, and left there for a specific amount of time. This measures the natural amount of tears produced by a dog's tear ducts, and a veterinarian will be able to determine if the tear ducts are functioning properly.
Flourescein Staining Test
This diagnostic procedure is used by a veterinarian to determine if there are any tears or lesions in the cornea of a dog's eye. This is done by using an orange flourescein stain, which is applied to a dog's eyes using an eye-dropper. After being applied, excess stain is rinsed off. At this time, any remaining stain turns a fluorescent green color. This specialized stain is able to stick to any sections of the cornea where the surface layer is damaged or missing, and the underlying layer (which is also called the coneal collagen, or the stroma), is then exposed. This allows a veterinarian to see any existing ulcers, as well as their severity and location.
Bacterial Culture
If a veterinarian suspects that a dog is experiencing an eye infection due to a bacterial infection, a bacterial culture may be performed. This is accomplished by taking a small sample of the area suspected to be infected, and growing it in a culture medium. If a bacterial colony develops, this is reason for a positive diagnosis for a bacterial infection.
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