Decision making around a traumatic proptosis

02 April 2020
4 mins read
Volume 25 · Issue 5
Figure 3. Molly following enucleation of the left globe. Note the marked brachycephalic conformation in the remaining right eye.
Figure 3. Molly following enucleation of the left globe. Note the marked brachycephalic conformation in the remaining right eye.

It is a sunny Sunday afternoon, and you have just sat down for lunch. The emergency phone rings, and on the other end of the line is a distressed owner who informs you that their dog Molly, a 2-year-old female Shi-Tzu, has been in a fight with another dog and is now bleeding from the left eye. You agree to meet them at the practice. On presentation Molly is in significant pain, and therefore reluctant to be examined. She is very hairy, and thus complete assessment of the damage if difficult, however the left globe is clearly protruding when compared with the right (Figure 1).

Question 1 — You decide you are going to have to anaesthetise Molly to fully assess her, as she is currently in too much pain to tolerate handling. You have deemed that there are no other life-threatening injuries present, and that it is safe to do so. What parts of the ophthalmic examination are vital to be performed before inducing anaesthesia in this case?

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting UK-VET Companion Animal and reading some of our peer-reviewed content for veterinary professionals. To continue reading this article, please register today.