ANSWERS

Note that some of the questions in this section (those marked with an asterisk) are more advanced than required for the final V.N. exams. However, they are of interest to those already qualified, or studying for the Medical Diploma.

1. What is the instrument used to look inside a patient's ear known as?
   An otoscope or auroscope.
2. What is the correct name for the earflap?
   The pinna.
3. What is the correct name for the eardrum?
   The tympanic membrane.
4. What is the correct name for the ear canal?
   The external auditory meatus.
5. What is the correct term for inflammation of the ear?
   Otitis.
6. Briefly describe the 3 types of otitis.
   • Otitis externa - inflammation of the external auditory meatus.
   • Otitis media - inflammation of the middle ear cavity.
   • Otitis interna - Inflammation of the inner ear (this affects the organs of balance, and less commonly, hearing).
7. State 3 surgical operations that may be performed in cases of severe, chronic otitis.
   • Total ear canal ablation (TECA) - resection of both the vertical and horizontal parts of the ear canal
   • Vertical canal ablation (VCA) - resection of the vertical part of the ear canal.
   • Lateral wall resection - resection of the horizontal part of the ear canal.
8. What is a bulla osteotomy?
   Removal of the tympanic bulla in order to drain the middle ear in cases of otitis media.
9. What is otorrhoea?
   Any discharge from the ear.
10. Describe how to clean a patient's ears.
    • Talk to, and calm the patient.
    • Ensure that the animal is adequately restrained. If the ears are very sore - sedation or general anaesthesia may be necessary.
    • Adorn protective apron and gloves.
    • Examine the ear and report any abnormal findings to the veterinary surgeon (eg. excessive hair growth within the canal, foreign material, excessive wax, earmites). If a swab is required for culture and sensitivity, this must be taken prior to cleaning.
    • Select a suitable preparation, and remember to check the expiry date before use. Invert the product a few times prior to use.
    • Squeeze a liberal amount carefully down into the ear canal.
    • Gently massage the base of the ear to ensure that the preparation is adequately dispersed. This action also helps to break down any hard wax.
    • Use a pad of cotton wool to clean the ear canal. Always be extremely careful in order to avoid damage to the tympanic membrane. For the same reason, cotton buds should not be used within the ear canal, although they can be used in the small crevices of auricular cartilage.
    • Discard soiled cotton wool in the clinical waste bin.
    • Repeat until no further wax is evident, although be aware that excessive friction may make the ear very sore.
    • Excessive hairs within the ear canal may require plucking with forceps.
    • Clean the nozzle of the ear cleaner before commencing with the second ear (this prevents cross infection from one ear to the other).
11. A Springer spaniel is dispensed an ear cleaning solution and a topical antibiotic preparation. What advice would you give to the client about their use?
    • Keep the drugs in a safe place away from direct heat or sunlight.
    • Advise on the frequency of use.
    • Advise that the ear cleaner should be used prior to topical antibiotic preparation.
    • Demonstrate the correct method of ear cleaning (as per your answer to Q9).
    • Advise the quantity of drug to be given.
    • Recommend that should the ear condition worsen then the client must stop the therapy and contact the surgery at once.
12. What is the correct term for ear mites?
    Otodectes cyanotis.
13. A Boxer dog is brought to the surgery following repeated bouts of head shaking. What tests might be performed, and why?
    • Examination of the ears with an otoscope/auroscope - assess for the presence of excessive wax, pus, foreign material, excessive hair, ear mites etc.
    • Ear swab/s - for culture and sensitivity.
14. What condition of the ear may arise following repeated head shaking?
    Aural haematoma.
15. List 3 preparations commonly used in small animal medicine for ear cleaning.
    • Leo Dog/Cat Ear Cleaner.
    • Dermisol Multicleanse Solution.
    • Allerderm Epiotic.
16. List 5 topical antibiotic preparations used in the treatment of ear conditions.
    • Aurizon.
    • Canaural.
    • Panolog.
    • Surolan.
    • Genticin drops.
17. What is the name of the instrument that projects light onto the eye and into the fundus so that the structure can be examined?
    An ophthalmoscope.
18. What is the correct name for tear production?
    Lacrimation.
19. Define the following: conjunctivitis, keratitis, blepharitis, blepharospasm and uveitis.
    • Conjunctivitis - inflammation of the conjunctiva.
    • Keratitis - inflammation of the cornea.
    • Blepharitis - inflammation of the eyelids.
    • Blepharospasm - spasm of the obicularis muscle of the eyelid.
    • Uveitis - inflammation of the uveal tract.
20. Describe the symptoms of glaucoma.
    • Cloudy, oedematous, insensitive cornea.
    • Increase in intraocular pressure.
    • Enlarged globe.
    • Congested episcleral vessels.
    • Vision loss.
21. What is the name of the simple test that may be used to aid the diagnosis of corneal ulceration?
    Fluorescein stain.
22. What is the name given to the group of drugs that dilate the pupil?
    Mydriatics.
23. List 6 possible causes of conjunctivitis.
    • Ocular infection.
    • Ocular foreign body.
    • Entropion.
    • Ectropion.
    • Distichiasis.
    • Inflammatory diseases of the eyeball.
24. List 4 topical antibiotic drugs that may be used in the treatment of conjunctivitis.
    • Aureomycin eye ointment.
    • Chloramphenicol eye drops/ointment.
    • Fucithalmic.
    • Orbenin eye ointment.
25. State 2 preparations used as artificial tear drops in cases of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye).
    • Lacrilube.
    • Viscotears.
26. Which breed of dog is predisposed to keratoconjunctivitis sicca?
    The West Highland White Terrier.
27. List 6 signs of keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
    • Tacky, mucoid ocular discharge.
    • Corneal dryness.
    • Ulceration.
    • Opacification.
    • Vascularisation and pigmentation.
    • Dryness of the nostrils.
28. * State the specific treatment for KCS in cases where the cause is autoimmune disease of the lacrymal gland.
    Optimmune.
29. By what other name might chronic superficial keratitis be known?
    Corneal pannus.
30. * Which breed of dog is primarily predisposed to corneal pannus?
    The German Shepherd.
31. List 5 signs of keratitis.
    • Lacrimation.
    • Blepharospasm.
    • Corneal opacity.
    • Corneal vascularisation.
    • Pigmentation.
32. * By what other name might anterior uveitis be known?
    Iridocyclitis.
33. What is the name of the test used to determine whether tear production is adequate?
    Schirmer Tear Test.
34. Which infectious disease of dogs is associated with corneal oedema (blue-eye)?
    Infectious canine hepatitis (the CAV-1 virus).
35. What is epiphora?
    Persistent overflow of tears.
36. * What is the name of the disease most commonly seen in longhaired cats that is characterised by a "tea leaf" mass on the corneal surface, superficial vascularisation, blepharospasm and epiphora?
    Corneal sequestrum (corneal mummification).
37. Define the following: miosis, ptosis and enophthalmos.
    • Miosis - contraction of the pupil of the eye.
    • Ptosis - dropping of the eyelid due to paralysis of the 3rd cranial nerve.
    • Enopthalmos - a condition in which the eyeball is abnormally sunken into its socket.
38. * State the condition characterised by the symptoms listed in Q31.
    Horner's syndrome.
39. What is hyphaema?
    Haemorrhage into the anterior chamber of the eye.
40. List 6 possible causes of hyphaema.
    • Trauma.
    • Penetrating foreign bodies.
    • Anterior uveitis.
    • Intraocular tumours.
    • Clotting and bleeding disorders.
    • Collie eye anomaly.
41. * List 5 possible causes of retinal detachment.
    • Chorioretinitis.
    • Hypertension.
    • Diabetes mellitus.
    • Neoplasia.
    • Trauma.
42. A diet deficient in what may cause central retinal atrophy, eventual blindness and/or dilated cardiomyopathy in cats?
    Taurine.