Adopting a Senior Cat: Five Tips for Bringing Them Home

1: Make Your Home a Friendly Place

Your senior cat will likely be shy when you first bring them home, so it’s a good idea to set up a designated room with all the essentials—food, water, toys, a litter box, and a comfy bed. Give them time to adjust to this room, then let them explore the rest of your home a little at a time. 

You can make your newly adopted senior cat more comfortable in your home by knowing exactly what to get. For instance, shallow litter boxes are easier for cats with sore joints to use. And make sure to provide cozy beds and nap spots for them to enjoy—senior cats love to nap. 

Older cats often suffer from arthritis, so it’s important to keep food and water where they can easily access them without having to jump. It’s also essential to provide plenty of water sources, as senior cats are more susceptible to kidney issues. You can encourage your cat to drink more with a water fountain. Otherwise, wide, shallow food and water bowls are ideal. 

2: Slowly Introduce Them to Other Pets and Children

If you have any other pets in the home, introducing them to the new cat too quickly may scare them or even lead to a fight. Introduce your senior cat to each pet one at a time, under supervision. 

The same goes for excited young children—take it slow and go one at a time, with time for the cat to rest between introductions. It’s important to ensure that your cat always has a safe place to hide away from other pets and young children if they need to. 

3: Make Sure They Exercise

Although senior cats are known to sleep all day, they still need exercise to keep their joints healthy. Just like kittens, play time is an excellent form of exercise for senior cats. However, you need to be more gentle with older cats, because they can’t climb or jump as easily as kittens. 

But playing with toys isn’t the only way cats can get exercise. You can also try moving their food bowl away from where they typically sleep so they have to walk over to it. Climbing is good exercise as well, as long as it doesn’t hurt their joints. Smaller jumps are easier on senior cats, so try placing a table or secure shelves near your cat’s tower or other favorite climbing spots. 

4: Closely Monitor Their Health

As cats age, their risk of health issues increases. Learn your new cat’s habits and normal behaviors so you can quickly identify any changes. Keep an eye out for warning signs like slower movement, changes in urine or stool, food avoidance, and sounds of pain when urinating or eating. 

When adopting an elderly cat, it’s a good idea to ask for their medical history. Understanding the health issues they’ve had in the past can help you know what to look for in the future. If you notice anything unusual about your newly adopted cat, don’t hesitate to visit the vet. A senior cat’s health can quickly decline if they don’t get treatment in time. 

5: Schedule Wellness Checks

Not all health problems are noticeable. You should bring your older cat to the vet every six months for regular wellness visits. Routine blood tests and checkups will ensure that any underlying conditions are diagnosed as early as possible. Swift treatment will always improve your senior cat’s quality of life. 

Senior Pet Care in Gilbert

Ready to bring home a new companion? Make sure you schedule a vet visit as soon as possible after adoption. The compassionate team at Anasazi Animal Clinic will evaluate your cat’s health and answer any questions you may have about caring for a senior cat. Give us a call at 480-497-0505 today to set up an appointment. 

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (11/8/2022). Photo by Tucker Good on Unsplash

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At Anasazi Animal Clinic, we take care of dogs of every age. We are also big supporters of Adopt A Senior Pet Month in November, so we’re sharing some tips on how to adopt a senior dog based on what we’ve learned over the years. 

Adopting a Senior Dog: Tips and Advice

1: Go in with an Open Mind

It’s natural to automatically look for a puppy when you’re adding a dog to your family. Many pet owners believe that the younger an animal is, the healthier they will be and the more time they’ll have to enjoy their company. However, senior dogs—large dogs 8 years and up and smaller dogs ages 11 and up—can just be as healthy and provide many years of companionship. 

Keep in mind that the benefits of adopting a senior dog could outweigh the benefits of adopting a puppy. Because they are fully grown, the personality of the dog you meet at the shelter is the same personality they’ll have for years to come. Older dogs usually don’t need as much training as young dogs. And, if they’re past their destructive puppy years, you could save your furniture and shoes from being constantly chewed on. 

2: Ask for a Comprehensive Health History

Another benefit of adopting a senior dog is you’ll have much more medical history than you would with a younger dog. Many times owners put up their senior dog for adoption because of lifestyle changes, such as moving or financial hardships. As they’ve cared for the dog for much of their life, they’ll have provided a pretty full medical history when they surrender their dog to a shelter or adoption center. This can help you know in advance of any health care concerns your senior dog may have. 

3: Ease Them into Your Home

Like any new animal you bring home, you want to gradually ease them into their new surroundings. This is especially true for a senior dog who may have spent a long period at the shelter before getting adopted. Give them plenty of time to settle in and investigate their new home. They might act a little “off” for the first day or two as they adjust, but that’s perfectly normal. And, if you have additional dogs or cats in your home, introduce them one at a time so you don’t overwhelm the new dog. 

4: Keep Their Diet the Same

Ask the adoption center or foster family what type of food your new pet has been eating, and stick with it. Older dogs know exactly what they like and what they don’t like. You can’t always teach an old dog new tricks, and changing a dog’s food could wreak havoc on their digestive system. If at all possible, try to stick with the same food they’ve been eating. 

5: Schedule a Vet Appointment

Make sure to schedule a full check-up for your new senior dog as soon as possible. Bring the full medical history you obtained from the shelter or foster family. Your veterinarian will thoroughly examine your new companion, go over their medical history with you, and answer any questions you may have on senior dog care.

Local Vet for Dogs of All Ages

All dogs deserve forever homes, but senior dogs often have to wait for much longer than puppies to find one. By adopting a senior dog, you are giving them a chance to live the rest of their life surrounded by love and comfort. The friendly staff at Anasazi Animal Clinic loves to take care of all the dogs in Gilbert and Chandler, regardless of their age! Contact us today to make an appointment.  

Image by AnjaGh from Pixabay 

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One of the most common health issues we see in older dogs is arthritis. Our team at Anasazi Animal Clinic in Gilbert understands how hard it can be to watch our beloved pets get older. Things they used to do with ease, like climbing the stairs, can become a very painful endeavor for them. The good news is that proper treatment can greatly ease the pain so that your dog can continue living his best life well into his golden years. 

Arthritis in Dogs

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease where the protective, cushioning cartilage in between joint bones deteriorates over time and bony growths develop in place of the cartilage, causing joint pain. There is no cure for osteoarthritis but early diagnosis and treatment can provide significant pain relief for your dog. 

Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs

Large dog breeds have a higher risk of developing arthritis. Signs that your dog might have arthritis include: 

• Reduced mobility
• Stiffness 
• Difficulty getting around 
• Weight gain
• Decreased muscle mass
• Disinterest in playing or walking
• Irritability or flinching to touch

If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can ensure a better quality of life for your dog as he ages.

Arthritis Relief at Home

• Diet. A high-quality, anti-inflammatory diet can help ease the symptoms of arthritis in dogs. Talk to your veterinarian about the best diet to feed your dog.
• Comfortable Bed. A comfortable bed is essential to relieve pressure from your dog’s joints. If he likes to sleep on the couch or your bed, be sure to provide a ramp for easy access.
• Massage. Gentle massage of the joints can be helpful, especially for large dogs. Ask your vet for tips on proper massaging techniques so that you don’t unintentionally cause further pain or injury.  
• Exercise. Keeping your dog active with moderate exercise will help him maintain a healthy weight—excess weight stresses arthritic joints and causes more pain. Be sure to let him walk at his own pace. 

Medications and Supplements

Never give your dog over-the-counter medication that isn’t prescribed by your vet. Ibuprofen and many other common drugs that might be in your medicine cabinet are fatally toxic to dogs. Talk to your vet before giving your dog any supplements or topical treatments, including CBD lotions or treats. You want the best for your pooch, but not all products marketed for pets are actually safe. You should only give your dog medications and supplements that your vet prescribes. 

Arthritis Treatment for Dogs in Gilbert

If your dog is in pain from arthritis, contact us right away. Our compassionate veterinarians at Anasazi Animal Clinic in Gilbert are experts in caring for senior dogs. We are committed to ensuring the health and happiness of all pets throughout their later years. Call us to schedule an appointment today so that your fur baby can get back to doing all the things he loves.

Image used under creative commons license – commercial use (12/4/20) by Couleur from Pixabay

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1. Obesity

As your dog ages, you will likely notice a decrease in her physical activity. When she is physically active, she may make slower movements. Because of this, weight gain leading to obesity is common in older dogs. The danger in obesity is that it can lead to other serious issues—like heart disease, diabetes, and joint problems. To curb weight gain in your dog’s senior years, make sure to decrease her food intake and keep her moving in shorter increments with multiple brief walks each day.

2. Heart Disease

The process of aging, coupled with disease or parasites, can lead to degenerative canine heart disease. A large percentage of senior dogs develop some form of heart disease. Smaller dogs are at an even greater risk. If left untreated, these heart issues can lead to congestive heart failure. Here are symptoms to watch for:

• Coughing
• Heavy panting
• Disinterest/refusal to exercise 
• Lethargy

3. Cancer

Cancer is the number one cause of death in senior dogs, and it shows up in many forms with a variety of possible symptoms. Your vet will scan for signs of cancer at each check-up. Here are some symptoms of cancer in dogs:

• Lumps on the body
• Blood and mucus in stool
• Changes in weight
• Difficulty eating
• Heavy panting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Drooling

4. Vision & Hearing Issues

As your dog ages, so do her eyes. Aging eyes often mean degenerative changes, leading to vision loss. There is nothing a vet can do to reverse vision changes, but there are things you can do to help your dog maintain a good quality of life, despite vision loss. Continuing to take your dog on walks, while keeping her on a leash for her safety is a great activity for dogs with vision issues. 

Another tip is to re-arrange furniture in your house for her safety and comfort. Hearing loss is another common sensory issue in senior dogs. This happens due to degeneration of the nerves in the ear. As with vision loss, there is nothing a vet can do to reverse hearing issues. What we can do is help dogs adapt by training ourselves and our dogs to use hand signals for communication.

5. Arthritis

Arthritis—or inflammation of the joints—is a very common issue in senior dogs. The most common forms of arthritis in senior dogs are osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease. Diet, exercise, and veterinary treatments can alleviate arthritis and keep your furry friend moving. If you notice any of the following symptoms in your furry friend, ask your vet about arthritis or other joint issues:

• Swelling of joints
• Difficulty walking, standing up, or laying down
• Stiff movements
• Limping
• Change of gait
• Pain when you pick her up
• Avoidance of stairs 
• Avoidance of movement

6. Kidney Disease

Kidney conditions like renal disease and kidney stones are common problems faced by senior dogs. Renal disease causes the kidneys to stop functioning properly, which leads to a build up of toxins. While there is no cure for kidney disease, you and your vet can support your dog’s quality of life through treatments. Here are signs and symptoms to look out for:

• Insatiable thirst
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Frequent urination
• Loss of bladder control
• Lethargy

Contact Us Today!

Let’s help give our senior dogs the best of their golden years. With regular check-ups and awareness of the signs and symptoms of health problems in senior dogs, we can keep our senior dogs happy and healthy. Keep your eye out for health conditions common in older dogs and give us a call immediately if you notice any signs or symptoms. The faster we can treat these issues, the more we can ensure your furry friend is living her best life. Contact Anasazi Animal Clinic in Gilbert today!

Image by Couleur from Pixabay

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Senior Pet Wellness Checkups

When your pet obtains senior-status varies from the type and breed of animal, but most dogs are considered geriatric when they are around seven or eight years old. At this stage, it is imperative to provide them with specific nutrition and lifestyles to keep them healthy as long as possible. It is recommended that for senior pets, a checkup every six months will be beneficial to prevent any devastating health issues. A typical senior wellness checkup includes a thorough physical examination that examines various aspects of your pet’s health, habits, and nutrition. Tests for blood count, blood pressure, urinalysis, and x-rays may also be included. A senior wellness screen can also be done that will help detect any early health changes.

Symptoms to Pay Attention To

As your pet ages, there may be some signs to pay attention to that would be important for your veterinarian to know. These signs are:

• Eyes: If you notice redness, cloudiness, or see your pet bumping into things regularly or stumbling often.
• Urination: An increase or strain in urination can be a sign of kidney disease or a urinary tract infection.
• Breath: If your pet has bad breath, this can be an indicator of other underlying health issues.
• Skin: If there are lumps, dryness of the skin, redness of the skin or excessive loss of hair, this can be a large concern for other health issues.

There can be many health issues that arise as a pet ages, just as in humans. The best procedure is to continually keep on top of checkups to prevent any devastating finds, and to treat something if found early enough. To learn more about how to care for your aging pet, contact Anasazi Animal Clinic today.

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Typically, cats over seven are considered seniors. And, just as humans begin to have health issues as we age, so too do our furry friends. Everything from arthritis to teeth issues to glaucoma. Very similar issues that we experience. But there are some key differences.

If you have a senior cat, odds are you’ve seen a decrease in physical activity. Maybe your cat isn’t jumping as high or as often as she used to or maybe she sleeps more than normal. This is all part of the aging process. But just to be sure, it’s best to get your cat checked out by professionals at a cat hospital.

Other senior issues can include weight gain or loss, which can be caused by a number of things. Your cat hospital and veterinarian will help identify what the cause of weight loss is, which can range from kidney to thyroid to liver to heart disease.

Throughout your cat’s life, there are certain things you can do to make sure they stay as healthy as possible:

• Schedule annual checkups with your veterinarian to help catch any potential issues early on. Preventative medicine is always the best approach.
• Work with your veterinarian for a diet that fits your cat’s specific needs. As cats age, they need more protein so that should be considered in their dietary needs.
• Avoid overfeeding your cat. As your pet ages, activity lessons and can cause weight gain.
• As with any pet, make sure you take care of your cat’s teeth. Brushing her teeth can help prevent a variety of diseases.

If you have any more questions about your senior cat, we are here to help.Our expert staff will take care of all of your cat’s needs in our state-of-the-art cat hospital at Anasazi Animal Clinic. Contact us today. No matter what stage of life your cat is in, we’ll make sure she is on the road to good health.

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When our pets reach their golden years, they go through a number of changes, very similar to what we humans go through when we age. Issues can range from arthritis in joints to lack of mobility and dimming hearing and eyesight. Much depends on your pet’s breed and overall health.

It’s important to keep an eye on your pets at every stage of life, but there are usually more noticeable symptoms to note when they are seniors. You will want to take note of behavior that isn’t normal or part of your pet’s routine. Things to look for include limping, no response when called, and running into furniture or outdoor landscaping. If you have any concerns about your aging pet and what to expect in time, give our veterinarian Gilbert AZ team a call.

To keep your senior pet comfortable, make sure he or she has helpful things to ease any potential pain, like a soft foam bed to lay on. As they get older, hip issues may prevent pets from jumping so it’s best to get them a ramp or steps to get up and out of things like beds, cars and couches. Hip Dysplasia is a common ailment in dogs and can cause serious pain resulting in limping and weak bones, so jumping is not a good thing when hip Dysplasia is involved.

No matter what stage of life your pet is in, our team wants to be there to provide the best care possible. If you’re looking for a veterinarian Gilbert AZ or have have any questions about caring for a senior pet, give our team a call. Our goal is to have all pets receive a healthy lifetime of care and love.

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Glaucoma is a condition in which high pressure occurs in the eye, with a failure of normal fluid drainage from the eye. A chronic condition with pressure against the optic nerve will eventually cause permanent damage to the optic nerve, resulting in blindness.

Symptoms and Types

There are two main types of glaucoma: primary and secondary. Symptoms for sudden primary disease, due to the eye’s inability to drain through the filtration angles of the eye, are as follows:

• High pressure within the eye
• Blinking of the eye
• The eyeball may recede back into the head
• Redness of the blood vessels in the whites of eyes
• Cloudy appearance at front of the eye
• Dilated pupil – or pupil does not respond to light
• Vision loss

Long-term, advanced disease:

• Enlargement of the eyeball (buphthalmos)
• Obvious loss of vision
• Advanced degeneration within the eye

Symptoms for secondary glaucoma, or glaucoma due to secondary eye infection(s), include:

• High pressure within the eye
• Redness of the blood vessels in the whites of eyes
• Cloudy appearance at front of the eye
• Inflammatory debris visible in the front of the eye
• Possible constriction of the pupil
• Possible sticking of the iris to either the cornea or the lens
• Possible that the edge of the iris circularly sticks to the lens

In addition, there may be:

• Headaches, with head pressing to relieve feelings of pressure in head
• Loss of appetite
• Change in attitude, less desire to play or interact

Causes

High pressure in the eye occurs when the normal outflow of fluid in the eye is impaired due to a primary eye disease such as the improper development of the eye’s filtration angles, or secondary to other eye diseases such as primary lensluxation (slipping of the lens in the eye), inflammation of the tissues of the eye, eye tumor(s), or blood collection in the front of the eye from injury. In cats, secondary glaucoma is more common than primary glaucoma.

Diagnosis

You will need to give a thorough history of your cat’s health, onset of symptoms, as far as you have been able to tell, and possible incidents that might have preceded this condition, such as injuries to the eye (even those which you consider minor). During the physical examination, your veterinarian will test the pressure within your cat’s  eyes using a tonometer on the surface of the eye. If the disease began suddenly, your veterinarian will refer your cat to a veterinary ophthalmologist for a detailed examination of both eyes, including evaluation of the filtration angles by gonioscopy — measuring the anterior of the eye. Pressure within the eye can measure as high as 45 to 65 mmHg, making this a very painful condition.

Electroretinography will be also performed by the veterinary ophthalmologist to determine if the eye will remain blind despite treatment. In secondary diseases, X-rays and an ultrasound may show abnormalities within the eye.

Often both eyes are affected, but not always. In cases where only one eye is affected, steps will be taken to protect the unaffected eye from developing a diseased condition.

Treatment

Your veterinarian will prescribe multiple drugs to lower the pressure within your cat’s eye and to get it into the normal range as quickly as possible in an attempt to salvage vision. Cats often have a long-term condition that has lead to the glaucoma before the obvious symptoms become present.

Surgery may be indicated as well. There are different treatments depending on the exact nature of the glaucoma. The fluid may be drained and the fluid producing cells altered to stop fluid buildup within the eye. This process, called cyclocryotherapy, uses cold temperatures to kill the cells that produce intraocular fluid. If found early, this procedure may slow down or stop further progression. However, in most long term cases the eye will have to be removed. The empty eye socket may be closed up permanently, or the eye cavity can be filled with an orb, to keep the ocular space filled.

Most cats will adjust over time to the loss of their eye, especially as they may have been losing their vision over a period pf time. Talk to your veterinarian about ways in which you can help your cat to transition, and how you can help to make its life easier without its sight. In cases where a cat has lost its sight entirely, the owner is advised to keep the cat indoors at all times, as the cat will be more vulnerable without its vision.

Living and Management

If the condition has been caught early enough and your veterinarian is able to manage the condition, you will need to revisit your veterinarian regularly to have the pressure within the eye assessed and to monitor for drug interactions and make changes as necessary. Your veterinary ophthalmologist will examine the unaffected (or “good”) eye to determine its risk of also developing glaucoma. Because more than 50 percent of cats with primary glaucoma will develop complications in their unaffected eye within 8 months, preventative therapy should be done quickly.

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Glaucoma is common in certain dog breeds that are genetically predisposed, such as samoyeds, cocker Spaniels, poodles, chow chows, and Siberians. Unfortunately, 40 percent of dogs affected by glaucoma will become blind in the affected eye within the first year, regardless of medical or surgical treatment.

Symptoms and Types

There are two main types of glaucoma: primary and secondary. Symptoms for sudden primary disease, due to the eye’s inability to drain through the filtration angles of the eye, are as follows:

• High pressure within the eye
• Blinking of the eye
• The eyeball may recede back into the head
• Redness of the blood vessels in the whites of eyes
• Cloudy appearance at front of the eye
• Dilated pupil – or pupil does not respond to light
• Vision loss

Long-term, advanced disease:

• Enlargement of the eyeball (buphthalmos)
• Obvious loss of vision
• Advanced degeneration within the eye

Symptoms for secondary glaucoma, or glaucoma due to secondary eye infection(s), include:

• High pressure within the eye
• Redness of the blood vessels in the whites of eyes
• Cloudy appearance at front of the eye
• Inflammatory debris visible in the front of the eye
• Possible constriction of the pupil
• Possible sticking of the iris to either the cornea or the lens
• Possible that the edge of the iris circularly sticks to the lens

In addition, there may be:

• Headaches, with head pressing to relieve feelings of pressure in head
• Loss of appetite
• Change in attitude, less desire to play or interact

Causes

High pressure in the eye occurs when the normal outflow of fluid in the eye is impaired due to a primary eye disease such as the improper development of the eye’s filtration angles, or secondary to other eye diseases such as primary lensluxation (slipping of the lens in the eye), inflammation of the tissues of the eye, eye tumor(s), or blood collection in the front of the eye from injury. In dogs, secondary glaucoma is more common than primary glaucoma.

Diagnosis

You will need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health, onset of symptoms, as far as you have been able to tell, and possible incidents that might have preceded this condition, such as injuries to the eye (even those which you consider minor). During the physical examination, your veterinarian will test the pressure within your dog’s  eyes using a tonometer on the surface of the eye. If the disease began suddenly, your veterinarian will refer your dog to a veterinary ophthalmologist for a detailed examination of both eyes, including evaluation of the filtration angles by gonioscopy — measuring the anterior of the eye. Pressure within the eye can measure as high as 45 to 65 mmHg, making this a very painful condition.

Electroretinography will be also performed by the veterinary ophthalmologist to determine if the eye will remain blind despite treatment. In secondary diseases, X-rays and an ultrasound may show abnormalities within the eye.

Often both eyes are affected, but not always. In cases where only one eye is affected, steps will be taken to protect the unaffected eye from developing a diseased condition.

Treatment

Your veterinarian will prescribe multiple drugs to lower the pressure within your dog’s eye and to get it into the normal range as quickly as possible in an attempt to salvage vision. Often, a dog will have a long-term condition that has gone unnoticed or that has been misdiagnosed before the obvious symptoms of glaucoma have become present. In such cases, the optical nerve has been damaged beyond reparation and surgery may be indicated.

There are different treatments depending on the exact nature of the glaucoma. The fluid may be drained and the fluid producing cells altered to stop fluid buildup within the eye. This process, called cyclocryotherapy, uses cold temperatures to kill the cells that produce intraocular fluid. If found early, this procedure may slow down or stop further progression. However, in most long term cases the eye will have to be removed. The empty eye socket may be closed up permanently, or the eye cavity can be filled with an orb, to keep the ocular space filled.

Most dogs will adjust over time to the loss of their eye, especially as they may have been losing their vision over a period pf time. Talk to your veterinarian about ways in which you can help your dog to transition, and how you can help to make its home and outdoor life easier without its sight. In such cases, you will need to attend your dog when it is outdoors, as it will be more vulnerable to other animals.

Living and Management

If the condition has been caught early enough and your veterinarian is able to manage the condition, you will need to revisit your veterinarian regularly to have the pressure within the eye assessed and to monitor for drug interactions and make changes as necessary. Your veterinary ophthalmologist will examine the unaffected (or “good”) eye to determine its risk of also developing glaucoma. Because more than 50 percent of dogs with primary glaucoma will develop complications in their unaffected eye within 8 months, preventative therapy should be done quickly.

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Primary Glaucoma is an inherited condition. Primary glaucoma occurs in many breeds of dogs, including the American Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound, Chow Chow, Shar Pei, Jack Russell Terrier, Shih Tzu, and Arctic Circle breeds (including the Siberian Husky and Elkhound). Primary glaucoma is rare in cats.

Primary Glaucoma usually begins in one eye, but in most patients it eventually affects both eyes, leading to complete blindness if not controlled.

Secondary Glaucoma occurs when other eye diseases cause decreased drainage of fluid from the inside of the eye. Common causes of secondary glaucoma include: inflammation inside the eye (uveitis); advanced cataracts; cancer in the eye; lens subluxation or luxation (i.e. displacement of the lens from its normal position; a completely luxated lens is free of all attachments and can “float around” inside the eye, causing both damage and pain) and chronic retinal detachment. Glaucoma in cats is almost always secondary to chronic uveitis. Treatment for secondary glaucoma is too broad to be presented here; it is critical to treat the cause of glaucoma whenever possible.

Diagnosing whether your dog has primary or secondary glaucoma is important because the treatment needed and the prognosis for vision is different for each type of glaucoma. Veterinary ophthalmologists measure the intraocular pressure (IOP) and use slit-lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, and gonioscopy to determine the type and cause of glaucoma in your pet. Tonometry is measurement of IOP, and there are three basic types of instruments (tonometers) that can be used to measure IOP. The best tonometers are the TonoPen™ and the TonoVet™; these are costly computerized handheld devices. Another device is a Schiotz tonometer; this is an inexpensive stainless steel device, but is more difficult to use in animals. Gonioscopy helps determine how predisposed the remaining visual eye is to develop glaucoma when primary glaucoma is present in the other eye–i.e. what is the risk level of the remaining eye to develop glaucoma? Gonioscopy involves placing a special contact lens (“goniolens”) on the eye, which allows examination of the drainage angle. Gonioscopy is usually performed under sedation.

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