Eyes/Ears/Skin
Eyes are considered to be windows to the rest of the body and allow your pet to have an insight into different colors and forms. They are complex organs and behold more than what we see from the outside.
Specialized equipment helps a veterinarian to see nerves, blood vessels, and lymphoid tissue inside the eye which cannot be seen in another area of the body. The eye consists of three different layers. 1. white sclera and clear cornea which can be seen with the naked eye from outside and protect the eye by enveloping it. 2) uvea is the second layer beneath the sclera and contains blood vessels. 3) retina is the thin layer of the eye that converts the light signal to neural signal. The red-eye is the inflammation of any of these layers. This can be caused by a local problem such as glaucoma and conjunctivitis or can be caused by retinal bleeding which occurs due to high systemic blood pressure.
Skin is the largest organ, protects by wrapping the internal organs of the body. It acts as a barrier by not letting the microbes and water in while keeping the body fluid inside. Abnormality in the protective barrier can lead to certain conditions like infections, hair loss, and fluid losses. Good skin is an indicator of overall wellness. Your pet’s skin can be affected by bacterial infections, fungal infections, and external parasites such as fleas and mites. Malnutrition, hormonal imbalances, and autoimmune disorders can affect the quality of the skin. Ears are an extension of the skin and are divided into three different sections. One is the outer layer that includes the ear canal and leads to the eardrum. Next to the eardrum is the middle ear which consists of the tympanic membrane and ear bones. The third section is the inner ear that has the cochlea and auditory nerve leading to the brain. The most common problem in cat’s and dog’s ears is related to inflammation in the external ear canal. This is usually caused by bacterial or yeast infections. When left unresolved, the infection can spread to the inner sections causing decreased hearing and disequilibrium. Any abnormality in appearance and function of the ear, skin, and eyes can be an indicator of the presence of underlying health problems.