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Dry eye also known as Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, can be a very painful condition that develops when a dogs tear production becomes reduced. This causes inflammation of the cornea and surrounding tissues from drying. It usually affects both eyes and they will become dry and inflamed. It is usually an immune related condition where the dogs immune system attacks the tear glands. This condition cannot be cured but can be managed with a range of eye drops used daily. What is dry eye? This condition occurs when there is a significant reduction in tear production. If it is left untreated it causes conjunctivitis , corneal ulcers and at times permanent scarring of the cornea. In extreme cases the eye requires removal as it is so badly damaged. The immune system causes the body to destroy the tear glands over months to years. Medication can slow its progression and help manage the condition. Symptoms - Thick, sticky often green ocular discharge - Redness around the eyes - Dog is irritated by eyes and they are painful so increased blinking and rubbing - Cornea looks dull and lack of shine - Eye can become cloudy -Increased frequency of eye infections - increased frequency of corneal ulceration. Breed predisposition Most cases are inherited and more common in the following breeds. If your dog has the condition it should not be breed from: -Cavalier King Charles -Pug -Westie - Yorkshire terrier -Shih Tzu - Lhasa Apso - British Bulldog - Pekingese Diagnosis Book in an appointment with your vet, they will examine the dogs eyes and preform a Schirmer Tear Test, which is a painless procedure where small strips of paper are placed under the eyelids and monitor tear production. A normal reading is above 15mm per minute. Treatment This condition requires lifelong management. Your dog will need regular check ups to monitor the condition and eye drops applied several times daily. Optimune is the most common treatment, a ciclosporin medication which helps reduce the bodies immune response to the tear glands. It takes 2-8 weeks to reach full affect and is continued for life, usually twice daily. You will also need to apply false tears to your dogs eyes several times daily, initially every 2hours until the condition is under control. You must keep the skin and hair around the eyes clean and free from discharge and build up. The eyes will likely need cleaned at least twice daily using clean cotton wool. Surgery Surgery can be preformed to redirect a tube caring saliva to the eyes the saliva keeps the eye moist. It can be quite effective but in some cases saliva can irritate the eye. Surgery is used as a last resort. Eye removal In extreme cases where the eye is not responding to treatment this can cause a lot of pain, and the cornea can become so scarred the eye is no longer functional and the damage is irreversible. Eye removal may be the kindest option in these cases. Cost It can be expensive to treat, regular vet visits are needed and the eye drops can be expensive and are required for life.

Pugs are of course cute and a firm favourite with many, but those adorable little faces come with an abundance of serious health problems. Only yesterday a client came in to the clinic thinking their precious pug was having a panic attack, it was in fact the result of the wee dog going out and playing with another dog and now struggling to breathe after exerting itself for only a few minutes. It was heart breaking seeing the panic in the little dogs face as he struggled to gasp and pant for air after a short play. New studies have confirmed Pugs can no longer be considered 'typical' as their inbreeding has lead them to suffer such severe health conditions. Their appearance has altered so dramatically from the mainstream dog. Pugs are far more likely to suffer from breathing problems, heat stroke, eye and skin problems and hip/ knee problems. Here are a list of some problems Pugs are prone to and how many more times than the typical dog. BOAS (click for .more info) , Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome 54x Narrow nostrils 51x, Corneal ulcers 13x Skin fold dermatitis 11x Obesity 2.5x Overgrown nails 2x The pug is a brachycephalic breed, and this means their facial structure puts them at a much higher risk of health conditions. These issues cause growing concerns to animal welfare. Research shows they are at increased risk of 23 common conditions out of 40. While the length of the skeletal muzzle is greatly reduced the size of the soft tissues within this structure are not. This causes overcrowding which therefore leads to partial obstruction of the throat. This means they have to put more effort into breathing which can lead to further swelling of these tissues causing them to collapse further. If this cycle continues they can develop fluid in the lungs, reduced oxygen uptake causing increased blood pressure and even heart failure. Heat stroke in more common in pugs and bull dogs. Dogs do not sweat like humans, they lower their temperature by panting. Dogs with longer noses like a labrador are able to pass air quickly over the throat and nose and cool down from evaporation of saliva and moisture as the air passes over the tongue and oral tissues in the mouth and nose. In dogs with very short noses the airways become inflamed and swollen as they pant causing greater obstruction and the dog can overheat. this in severe cases can be fatal. Click for more information. Narrow nostrils, also known as stenotic nares occur when the nostrils are pinched/ narrowed causing difficulty breathing which can cause panting. It is a congenital abnormality which can be improved with surgery. Corneal ulcers occur from erosion to the surface of the cornea, causing oedema. They are often the consequence of trauma which is more common in the pug due to the eyes protruding more therefore having less protection. These ulcers are painful and are sometimes mild and fast healing but can get very deep at times and potentially the eye ball can rupture causing irreparable damage. In extreme cases the eye ball needs removed. Skin fold dermatitis occurs when an infection forms in a pocket between 2 folds of skin. A common area in the pug is in the face folds where the skin is warm and moist. Initially owners usually notice the smell the infection produces usually from a secondary fungal infection. The skin becomes red and painful. Skin fold dermatitis can be minimised by regular cleaning of folds and keeping them dry. If your dog develops dermatitis they will likely need treatment from your vet. Obesity is detrimental to your animals health whatever the breed. Pugs can be greedy dogs and will often over eat. Physical activity plays an important part in weight control and many pugs have limited exercise tolerance due to respiratory problems so cant exercise as much as other breeds. Shorter more frequent walks are better, with stimulating play time. It has been shown an obese dog lives 1.8years less than a lean one. The respiratory problems associated with BOAS will only worsen when overweight and they will struggle further the breathe. Heat intolerance (click for info) is far more common in over weight Pugs and can be life threatening at times. Not is all doom and gloom for the breed, they have shown to be at lower risk of heart murmurs and aggression. The findings were that their disease predispositions were more common than disease protections and this confirmed the hypothesis that there are many critical health/ welfare challenges that pugs must overcome. It has recently been revealed that pugs are among the dog breeds with he shortest life expectancy at 7.7 years. While a Pug is a fantastic, intelligent, companion and very loving dog, be aware if you are looking into getting one or already have one, that there are many conditions to be aware of and monitor for. Also owning a pug is not a cheep business, not only the initial purchase price should be considered but the high chance of vet visits and treatments required through their life. The Kennel club has rated the Pug as a 'Category 3' breed, the highest category due to their physical conformation and inbreeding meaning they are very likely to suffer from serious health and welfare issues.

With summer on the way and things heating up, like us, our pets are likely to be spending a lot more time outside. While their fur gives some protection agains the suns potentially dangerous rays they can still get sun burn and develop squamous cell carcinoma which is a type of skin cancer. Fur can be particularly thin and sparse over the tips of the ears, nose, belly, bridge of nose and groin area particularly on white, short coated animals. They lack melanin pigment for protection, this leaves fragile skin exposed to the suns rays. Always keep a close eye on your pets for any changes in the skin, particularly new growths and non healing scabbed areas, these tumours can be firm and wart like . Always get these checked by your vet. Early treatment is key to the best chance of cure. Treatment Surgery is often the best form of treatment for squamous cell carcinoma, the area is surgically removed if possible. Sometimes laser surgery is an option as is radiation therapy. Prevention Shade: Keeping your pets out of direct sunlight, particularly between 12-3pm when the UV rays are at their strongest. Clothing: For animals that need to be outside there are companies that make 'rash guard' type clothing that has sun protection. Window treatment: Windows can allow dangerous UV rays through into your home and car so if there is a spot where your pet likes to lie and get heat from the sun, sun protection film can he fitted over those particular windows. Suncream: There are suncreams on the market designed particularly for pets, These can be very useful to apply to hairless areas for protection. Always make sure the ingredients are pet safe, some baby creams can be used but make sure they don't contain PABA, octyl salicylate or zinc oxide as these can be toxic if licked. There are several other types of skin cancer that can affect dogs and cats- not only ones triggered by the sun, they can have different appearances and some breeds are more prone. If you find a new skin mass on your pet always get it checked by your vet. The more common other forms of skin cancer are: Malignant melanoma- Mostly often on lip, mouth, nail bed and often are ulcerated lumps Mast cell tumours-Appear anywhere on body Histocytic cell tumours- Fibrosarcoma

Welcome to Tails of a Vet, home to a fantastic range of Veterinary produced dog treats that are not only delicious but packed with health boosting ingredients. *7 -10 working day turnaround * Get 15% off your first order with discount code : New15 SHOP Pet treat ranges Indulgent treats A delightful range of delicious treats, great for celebrations and milestones or just because your pooch deserves it! All hand iced to look good enough for us to eat. Health boosting treats This range uses a variety of specifically selected health boosting seeds, fibre and protein. The treats are low in fat and sugar. Cat treats A delicious and healthy range of cat treats designed to please even the fussiest of kitties. Join me on Instagram to meet some of my gorgeous followers enjoying their treats. Welcome to Tails of a Vet, home to a fantastic range of veterinary produced dog treats that are not only delicious but packed with health benefiting ingredients. Home Hand crafted Heart Human grade ingredients Document Fully licenced Lab Veterinary formulated All natural, vet approved, pet treats NOW AVAILABLE. The perfect present for your pooch and kitty. Shop now Quick View Large love hearts Price £7.99 Quick View Mini love hearts Price £7.99 Quick View Dino Delights Price £9.99 Quick View Movie Night Treat Pack Price £7.99 Quick View Large love hearts Price £7.99 Quick View Mini love hearts Price £7.99 Quick View Dino Delights Price £9.99 Quick View Movie Night Treat Pack Price £7.99 Check out my Veterinary blogs below with lots of interesting and factual information on your beloved pets. Oct 29, 2022 2 min Dry Eye and what it means for your dog. Dry eye also known as Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, can be a very painful condition that develops when a dogs tear production becomes... 19 views Click for more blogs Join the Tails of a Vet Club Join our email list and get access to specials discounts and info exclusive to our subscribers. Enter your email here Sign Up Thanks for submitting!

My blog contains general advice on animal topics that I have experienced during my career as a Vet. Nothing in my blog should be considered a substitute for veterinary medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned about you pet's health please seek advice from your Veterinary Surgeon. Dr Layla Grimshaw Privacy and disclosure The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely mine. If I claim or appear to be an expert on a certain topic or product or service area, I will only endorse products or services that I believe, based on my expertise and experience, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. ​ Tails of a vet is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co.uk Some of our website contain links to products and services offered by third party websites. If you click on those links we will use data collected about your activity on our site to direct you to the third party site. We and the third party may collect data to show us that you have clicked on the link and whether you purchased any products and services. We may receive a commission from the third party if you link to their site from a Future site and purchase goods and services from them. ​ My website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that I do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, I cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question. ​ Returns policy for goods purchased For any undamaged product, simply email info@tailsofavet and we can arrange a returns address for the product. The product along with its included accessories and packaging along with the original receipt (or gift receipt) within 14 days of the date you receive the product, and we will exchange it or offer a refund based upon the original payment method. In addition, please note the following: (i) Products can be returned only in the country in which they were originally purchased; and (ii) opened or used products are not eligible for return:

All about me Hi i'm Layla, a Veterinary Surgeon qualifying in 2007. I have mainly worked with pets throughout my career. I decided to start baking pet treats as was overwhelmed at work with overweight pets fed mass produced, commercial, fattening treats packed with poor quality ingredients and knew I could produce so much better. My aim is to give your precious pooch a deliciously tasting treat that is healthy and packed with wholesome, natural ingredients so you can provide your companion with the best. Layla ​