Protecting Your Pet's Vision with Dr. Alexandra van der Woerdt

In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by her longtime colleague Dr. Alexandra van der Woerdt, Department Head of Ophthalmology at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. Together, they explore how veterinary ophthalmologists help keep pets’ eyes healthy — from everyday eye issues to advanced surgery.

Topics include:

• What veterinary ophthalmologists do and when your pet should see one
• Common eye problems in pets, including corneal ulcers, dry eye, glaucoma, cataracts, and conjunctivitis
• The types of eye surgeries pets may need, from eyelid procedures to cataract removal
• How to clean eye discharge at home — and when it’s a red flag
• How dogs and cats see the world differently (including why yellow and blue toys are easier for dogs to see)
• Early warning signs of eye issues
• How pets adapt to vision loss
• How eye changes can signal systemic disease, like diabetes or high blood pressure

Also on this month's show:

• Trending animal story about Bombi, a young zebra in Kenya whose mother was killed by lions — and how rescuers helped her feel secure by wearing black-and-white striped coats to mimic a zebra’s pattern
• Animal news, including research into whether dogs can become addicted to playing fetch; “chemical fossil” evidence that ancient sponges — and early animals — existed far earlier than once thought; and a study showing that New York City cats caught COVID-19 from their owners during the early days of the pandemic (and why they likely weren’t a risk to people)
• Pet Health Listener Q&A: A Bombay cat struggling with chronic hairballs; a young Siberian Husky who eats everything in sight; and a cat with spinal lumps accompanied by vomiting and lethargy.

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email [e-mail] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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