ANSWERS

1. List 5 possible causes of conjunctivitis.
   • Infection.
   • Foreign body.
   • Entropion.
   • Ectropion.
   • Inflammatory disease of the eyeball.
2. What is keratitis?
   Inflammation of the cornea.
3. What is the name of the surgical procedure used to protect the cornea following ulceration?
   Third eyelid flap.
4. What alternative to a third eyelid flap is available?
   Insertion of a bandage lens.
5. State 3 advantages of bandage lenses.
   • They are transparent and therefore allow visualisation.
   • It is possible to place them consciously.
   • A variety of different sizes are available to suit most cats and dogs.
6. State 2 disadvantages of bandage lenses.
   • Some animals do not tolerate them.
   • They can fall out un-noticed by the owner.
7. What is the difference between entropion and ectropion?
   Entropion is inversion of the eyelid margin causing the eyelashes to rub on the cornea, whilst ectropion is eversion of the eyelid margin and rarely requires surgical attention.
8. State the breed of dog that is most prone to entropion.
   The Shar pei.
9. What name describes the abnormal growth of hairs at the eyelid margin?
   Distichiasis.
10. What technique is used to correct distichiasis and remove small tumours from the eyelid margin?
    Electrocautery.
11. What is another term for electrocautery?
    Diathermy.
12. Describe a cataract.
    Opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye causing partial or complete blindness. In some cases, surgical correction is possible. The cause may be congenital, or as a result of injury or diabetes mellitus.
13. What popular children's pet is prone to prolapse of the eyeball?
    The hamster.
14. What type of dog is prone to prolapse of the eyeball?
    Brachycephalic breeds, especially the bulldog.
15. Describe the first aid treatment that you would administer to a patient suffering from a prolapsed eyeball.
    • Restrain and calm the patient.
    • Cleanse the eyeball with saline.
    • Lubricate with K-Y jelly.
    • Very gently attempt to retract eyelid and see if eyeball relocates unassisted, otherwise do no more.
    • If unsuccessful, gently support the eyeball with saline soaked swabs or preferably cover the eyeball in sterile KY jelly until help arrives.
    • Monitor for signs of shock and treat accordingly.
    • Administer systemic and topical antibiotics in accordance with the veterinary surgeon's instructions.
16. Describe the first aid treatment that you would administer to a patient suffering chemical irritation of the eye following contact with a noxious substance.
    • Restrain and calm the patient.
    • Adorn protective apron, gloves and mask.
    • Irrigate the eye with copious amounts of water or saline.
    • Consult the COSHH manual for further advice if the name of the substance is known.
    • Monitor for signs of shock and treat accordingly.
    • Keep the animal warm and quiet until the veterinary surgeon can attend the case.
17. What is an aural haematoma? (also see Module 2 of this chapter: Q16-18).
    A discrete collection of blood that accumulates on either side of the pinna; usually secondary to otitis.
18. List 5 possible causes of otitis.
    • Foreign body in the ear canal.
    • Ear mites.
    • Bacterial or fungal infection.
    • Extension of generalised skin disease.
    • Poor ear conformation.
19. List 4 breeds of dog that are particularly susceptible to otitis.
    • Bassett hound.
    • English springer spaniel.
    • English setter.
    • Cavalier King Charles spaniel.
20. There are 3 types of otitis. Briefly describe each.
    • Otitis externa - inflammation of the external auditory meatus.
    • Otitis media - inflammation of the middle ear cavity.
    • Otitis interna - inflammation of the inner ear.
21. Of your answers to Q18, which type of otitis affects the organs of balance and may cause head tilts?
    Otitis interna.
22. What is a lateral wall resection?
    The removal of the lateral portion of the ear canal in order to improve drainage and air circulation.
23. What is the difference between a vertical ear canal ablation (VCA) and a total ear canal ablation (TECA)?
    A VCA involves only removal of the vertical portion of the ear canal, whilst a TECA is more radical and involves resection of both the vertical and horizontal parts of the ear canal. Both serve to remove diseased tissue in cases of chronic infection.