Glaucoma describes a condition of increased intraocular pressure (physical pressure on the inner wall of the eye, leading to a constant, smooth curvature of the cornea), which causes damage to the retina and optic nerve. The medical term glaucoma comes from Greek and means "sea-colored," because the cornea turns blue due to the increase in pressure in the eye.
The clear fluid produced inside the eye, known as aqueous humor, nourishes various structures in the eye and removes metabolic waste products. The steady flow of aqueous humor creates a dynamic balance that maintains constant intraocular pressure. If the outflow through the chamber angle (the angle between the cornea and the iris) is impaired and the production of aqueous humor remains constant, the pressure increases, leading to glaucoma. A distinction is made between primary glaucoma and secondary glaucoma, depending on the cause of the outflow obstruction.
The increase in intraocular pressure in primary glaucoma occurs without any previous disease or immediate causes. Congenital malformations of the chamber angle are usually the cause of the drainage disorder, and the disease occurs in both eyes. Certain dog breeds (e.g., Bouvier de Flandres, Chow Chow, Leonberger, Siberian Husky, Magyar Viszla) have a predisposition to developing primary glaucoma.
Secondary glaucoma develops as a result of a previous or existing eye disease. In most cases, these are displacement of the lens (= lens luxation), inflammation of the uvea (= uveitis), bleeding, or tumors. These acquired increases in pressure are caused by inflammatory products or cells that increase the resistance to drainage in the angle of the chamber. If left untreated, the increased pressure in the eye chamber quickly causes destruction of nerve fibers and the death of nerve cells in the retina, ultimately resulting in permanent loss of vision.
Regardless of the cause, increased intraocular pressure is always extremely painful for the affected animal. Glaucoma is therefore always considered an absolute emergency due to the acute risk of blindness and must be treated immediately.
The first signs of glaucoma are often indistinguishable from those of other eye diseases. A special veterinary eye examination should therefore be carried out as soon as possible to avoid confusion or underestimation.
At the onset of the disease, there is usually a more or less severe reddening of the eye on one side, accompanied by increased tearing, nictitating membrane prolapse, and clouding of the normally transparent cornea. A characteristic feature that is also recognizable to dog owners is a permanently dilated pupil that no longer reacts to light. In some cases, owners also describe general symptoms such as loss of appetite and drowsiness, which are attributable to the pain caused by the disease.
If chronic glaucoma has already developed, a significant enlargement of the eyeball can be seen. At this stage, vision is usually already completely lost.
After recording the preliminary report and performing a clinical examination, the veterinarian will measure the intraocular pressure using a special device. The measurement takes only a few seconds and is completely painless for the patient. In addition to measuring the eye pressure, another examination technique is used to view the chamber angle, known as gonioscopy. This allows conclusions to be drawn about the cause of the drainage disorder.
Before treating the underlying disease, the top priority in glaucoma treatment is always to reduce pressure in order to counteract the threat of vision loss and preserve the eye. In dogs in particular, pressure can increase within hours, which is why rapid diagnosis is particularly important.
Intraocular pressure can be reduced by improving drainage or reducing the production of aqueous humor. Veterinarians have both medication and surgical treatment options available for both methods. Depending on the cause and progression of the disease, different methods or a combination of different methods may be used. If there is no prospect of restoring vision, surgical removal of the eye may be the best option for pain relief. Nowadays, the insertion of modern implants can also provide a cosmetically satisfactory result.
As the owner, it is crucial to know that glaucoma is always a chronic disease and must be treated for life, despite its acute onset.
The earlier glaucoma is detected, the better the chances of recovery and restoration of vision. The prognosis also depends on the cause and any complications that may arise.
Complete protection against the disease is not possible. However, dogs of predisposed breeds should be examined by a veterinary eye specialist at regular intervals in order to detect signs of glaucoma at an early stage and initiate treatment in good time.
HCM is the most common heart disease in cats. Hypertrophy refers to the enlargement of an organ, in this case the thickening of the heart muscle. Cardiomyopathy refers to a heart muscle disease. As a result of the thickening of the heart muscle, the heart can no longer fill itself sufficiently with blood and cannot pump enough blood into the body's circulation. This leads to a backflow of blood into the pulmonary circulation, which in advanced stages can lead to water retention and shortness of breath.
Most horse owners are familiar with and fear this scenario. The horse suddenly stops eating, becomes restless, scrapes its hooves and kicks its belly. Colic basically describes any type of abdominal pain in horses. Unfortunately, colic in horses is a very complex problem and should never be taken lightly.
This rightly feared condition is always an emergency. If suspicious symptoms are present, the affected dog should be taken to a veterinary clinic immediately, as it can quickly lead to death if left untreated. A twisted stomach can affect all dogs, but it is more common in medium to large breeds with deep chests.
What child doesn't dream of having their own pony? Many little horse fans beg for one for years. But our little ones don't really know what it means to get a pony and take on such a big responsibility. They just see themselves galloping carefree over hill and dale with their four-legged friend.
As a horse owner, you always want the best for your horse. The selection of muesli, treats, and supplementary feed is huge. But what is right for my horse? Does it really need everything that the horses next door are getting? Unfortunately, overfeeding with individual feed components can also lead to colic, metabolic disorders, laminitis, or other health problems.
Various types of tumors on the edges of the eyelids occur relatively frequently, especially in older dogs but also in cats. In dogs, 90% of these growths are benign, with malignant tumors that tend to metastasize (spread) occurring only in rare cases. In cats, these changes are significantly more likely to be malignant.
A horse is quite large, and the damage it can cause is considerable. In the event of an accident, the costs can easily run into several thousand dollars. A substantial sum may also be required if our horse falls ill or even needs surgery. Not to mention the financial worries if we lend our horse and it has an accident while being ridden. It is therefore very sensible and important to think about what would happen in the worst-case scenario. There are plenty of insurance policies available. Every horse owner and rider should find out exactly what is available and choose the right policy for their needs. Below is a list of some insurance policies and situations where they might be needed.
Before acquiring a dog, it is important to consider not only the important questions regarding a suitable living environment, daily routine and care options. You should also address safety issues, which often begin with "What if...?" Yes, you guessed correctly: we are referring to insurance.
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This chronic inflammatory bowel disease occurs in dogs and cats, with a genetic predisposition suspected in certain dog breeds (boxers, German shepherds). IBD is triggered by an excessive reaction of the immune system, can affect both the small and large intestines, and is incurable.
A balanced and species-appropriate diet is an important part of animal health. There are veterinary practices specializing in animal nutrition and dietetics that can advise on feed selection and composition.
Pigs are sociable animals that can become very attached to humans. With sufficient space and a love for these intelligent creatures, living together can be a great joy. However, anyone considering keeping a mini pig like a cat or dog, i.e. in their home, should first read up extensively on the subject and study the needs of a small pig. These are no different from those of large pigs. Mini pigs are sometimes called "teacup pigs" because a piglet is so small right after birth that it fits in a teacup. But mini pigs grow naturally and quickly gain weight. To keep them happy, a mini pig needs enough space and an outdoor enclosure.
