Play it Safe: Avoiding Eye Injuries at the Dog Park
Summer fun at the dog park can quickly turn serious if your pup suffers an eye injury. Discover practical tips to prevent canine eye injuries, recognize the most at-risk breeds, and learn what to do if trouble arises—so every visit is safe and enjoyable.
Spring Eye Allergies in Dogs: What Pet Owners Need to Know
Spring in Virginia brings more than just beautiful blooms – it can also mean eye allergies for dogs. Learn about spring eye allergies in dogs, symptoms to watch for, and how to protect your pet’s vision in Virginia. Plus, discover how to recognize and manage Allergic Conjunctivitis in your beloved canine companions.
Why Does My Pet Have a Third Eyelid?
At Animal Vision Center of Virginia, we often assume pet parents know about their pet’s ‘third eyelid.” However, some owners may not be familiar with this anomaly. If you are among the curious, here’s a quick tutorial! Dogs, cats, birds, and some reptiles and mammals have three eyelids that help protect and lubricate their eyes: Upper eyelid: Like humans, this eyelid helps close the eye. Lower eyelid: This eyelid protects the eye and keeps it moist, like the upper one. Nictitating membrane: Often called the “third eyelid,” this thin, translucent membrane sits inside the lower eyelid in dogs and cats. It plays a crucial role in tear production, responsible for 40-60% of the tears.
Healthy eyes help horses live a safe, productive life
A Q&A with Brianne Radulovich, DVM, Comparative Ophthalmology Resident
Eyecare for horses? Just like us, horses are prone to ocular issues. With their horizontally, elongated pupils, a horse’s eye is eight times larger than the human eye. They use it for light capture and motion detection. With a total vision [READ MORE]
Common dog and cat eye injuries
Causes, treatment and how to avoid them
Dogs will be dogs. No matter how attentive the pet’s parent is, there are times when animals will dig in the dirt, paw at their eyes or get in a tussle with another pet. Seemingly minor ocular irritations can turn [READ MORE]
Supporting Animal Eye Health through OFA Eye Certification Exams
Just as in people, genetics plays an important role in an animal’s development. Their physical traits and habits are often determined by DNA, and genetic testing can help identify potential health issues in pets (including their eyes) so that owners can make informed breeding decisions.
Our practice is proud to provide [READ MORE]
Healthy Teeth can help Save your Pet’s Eyes
The Connection between Eye Disease and Dental Health
By Dr. Brianne Radulovich, DVM, Comparative Ophthalmology Resident
Your pet’s bad breath may mean more than having to brush their teeth. This can signify deeper disease and lead to serious complications, including [READ MORE]
On the Air with WHRO Public Media News Week
Thank you to Doug Boynton and WHRO Public Media for inviting Dr. Brookshire to talk about National Service Animal Eye Examination Month free eye screenings on their “News Week” audio news magazine. The program is part of The WHRO Voice, featuring programming specifically designed for and primarily directed [READ MORE]
Why it’s Important to Keep an “Eye” on your Pet’s Ocular Health
The value of having animals undergo an annual physical checkup is widely known and practiced. But many pet owners don’t always recognize that eyesight quality is just as important for their pet’s overall health. In Focus caught up with Dr. Heather Brookshire, who provided an overview of veterinary ophthalmology and [READ MORE]
Traveling with Pets? Friendly Skies await you and Fluffy with these Safety Tips
Do you enjoy vacationing with your pets? Or have you had to leave home in an emergency and take your animals with you? We often think about how to keep our furry friends safe at home. But it is just as important to consider safe ways to transport them for [READ MORE]
10 Dog-Friendly Places For You and Your Bestie
Walking your dog in the neighborhood is fine for the weekdays. But when the weekend rolls around, try planning an outing a little further from home. Now that summer is here, this is prime time for play time! So, grab your walking leash, a waste bag and water for your [READ MORE]
We treat cats too! Common feline ocular conditions
By Heather Brookshire, DVM, DAVCO
We see a lot of dogs at our practice, but we give equal time to our feline patients too! Cats can develop a number of ocular conditions, and we thought it would be helpful to outline some of the common eye issues in cats and how we treat them.
To [READ MORE]
Keeping your Pets Safe over the Holidays
By Dr. Ashley Powell, DVM
The holidays are almost here! Soon, we’ll be putting up decorations, preparing holiday meals and treats, and convening with family and friends—furry ones included. To ensure that this time together is safe and enjoyable for you and your four-legged companions, we have compiled a [READ MORE]
What to expect at your pet’s first ocular exam
The value of having animals undergo an annual physical checkup is widely known and practiced. But many pet owners don’t always recognize that eyesight and ocular health are an integral part of their pet’s overall health and wellbeing. You may have wondered what takes place during an initial examination. [READ MORE]
Wear it properly, wear it proud! E-collar tips for you and your pet
Your pet just underwent ophthalmic surgery and has been given an E-collar to wear. It may seem novel or amusing at first, seeing your pet adorned in the “cone of shame.” Soon, clumsiness ensues. Doorjambs, water bowls, even children and the backs of legs get in the way of the [READ MORE]
Advice for New Pet Owners
Animal Vision Center of Virginia is a proud member of the Coastal Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, a charitable organization that supports our region’s veterinary community. As part of the organization’s region-wide educational outreach initiative, they have provided the following tips and advice for new pet owners. We hope it is [READ MORE]
Protect Your Pets from Summer’s Sizzling Rays
Warm weather has arrived in Hampton Roads. That means we’ll be ramping up the fun factor when it comes to outdoor play for us—and our pets. Just as you would protect yourself against summer’s sizzling rays and temperatures, we should also take similar precautions on behalf of our canine and [READ MORE]
Earth-Friendly Lifestyle Tips for You and Fluffy
What are your plans to honor Earth Day this year? Some of our team members will be getting back to nature by hiking in nearby parks, walking on the beach and enjoying time outside. Of course, all of these activities will involve their pets too! This had us thinking about [READ MORE]
Adopting a pandemic puppy? Five tips for socializing your new companion
Hampton Roads animal shelters and rescue groups have received a lot of love from residents who have adopted pets since the COVID-19 coronavirus surfaced. Early in the pandemic, kind-hearted residents answered the organization’s call to “clear the shelters” and adopt. As the weeks became months, still more pet lovers turned [READ MORE]
On Woodsy Walks, Be Sure to Check Your Dog for Ticks
We love these long summer days, giving us more time outside playing, exploring and hiking with our pets in the great outdoors. Just as you would check yourself for ticks after tromping through woodsy areas, you should examine your dog’s coat as well. In addition to causing serious medical conditions [READ MORE]
Summer Eye Issues
It’s fun to take our pets to the beach or park, but we occasionally see ocular problems such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) or corneal ulcers from the irritating effects of sand and wind-borne grass and particles on the surface of the eye. Pets are especially prone to these medical issues [READ MORE]
What You’ll Need for a Pet Preparedness Plan
No one wants to think about becoming ill or having a medical emergency, but it’s important to make sure you have plans in place for you and your loved ones—including your pets. We talked about this at a recent staff meeting, as it relates to COVID-19. If one of us [READ MORE]
Good Manners Count When Out with Your Dog
Do you remember Benjamin? We posted his photo on Facebook a few weeks ago, showing the remarkable recovery he made following a dog attack. This good-natured pup suffered severe trauma of his left globe and was initially given a 50% chance [READ MORE]
The Calming Power of Pets
You’re a pet owner, so you already know that spending time with your lovey makes you feel good. But do you know that pets can help boost levels of serotonin and dopamine, lower blood pressure and improve your overall health? That’s the therapeutic power of pets, according to an article [READ MORE]
Superfoods for Super Pets!
What’s on your Thanksgiving menu? Turkey, green beans, sweet potatoes? Sounds good to us, and your pet will probably like these too. As long as the turkey treat doesn’t have bones and isn’t too greasy, that’s fine in moderation. And so are the green beans and sweet potatoes, both loaded [READ MORE]
How to administer eye ointment to your pet
If only giving medications to your pet was as easy as waving a magic wand. Animals have an intuitive sense of reading our emotions. If we’re nervous about having to give them a pill or eye drops, they will become anxious, too.
Over the years we’ve mastered the art of administering [READ MORE]
Stay Cool Out There!
Summer’s here. Can you feel it? If it’s too hot for you to be outside or in a parked car, then it’s too hot for your pets. Be mindful of hyperthermia and heat stroke, conditions that can arise when your dog’s natural ability to regulate temperature by panting [READ MORE]
Hurricane Season is Here. Are You and Your Pets Ready?
Hurricane season began on June 1, and we hope that you have prepared an evacuation plan for you—and your pets. Recently, our staff put together a mashup of the items we’ll be gathering for our pets at the first warning sign of the season. We hope this is helpful to [READ MORE]
How to Give Your Pet a Pill
If only giving medications to your pet was as easy as waving a magic wand. Animals have an intuitive sense of reading our emotions. If we’re nervous about having to give them a pill or eye drops, they will become anxious, too.
Over the years we’ve mastered the art of administering [READ MORE]