Ep 185: Approaching the Red, Painful Eye, Part 2, With Dr. Alex Sigmund

The 'So You're A Vet... Now What?' Podcast

Episode Description

Welcome to another episode of ‘So You’re a Vet Now What?’, the podcast that serves as your audio mentor in your journey as a veterinarian. In this episode, our host, Dr. Moriah McCauley, welcomes back Dr. Alex Sigmund, a board-certified ophthalmologist, to discuss a clinical case involving a young brachycephalic dog with a red, painful eye. They delve into diagnostics, medication choices, and client communication to ensure proper care for this patient.

Dr. McCauley seeks advice from Dr. Sigmund, who shares valuable insights into treating eye ulcers. They discuss the importance of visualizing the eye, conducting a Schirmer tear test, and using fluorescein stain to assess the cornea's condition. Dr. Sigmund emphasizes the significance of diagnosing and treating infected ulcers promptly.

The conversation covers the choice of antibiotics, with Dr. Sigmund recommending ofloxacin for infected ulcers and discussing the need for culture or cytology to identify the specific bacteria involved. They also touch on using ointments versus drops and the importance of follow-up rechecks to monitor the patient's progress.

Client education is a crucial aspect of the discussion, and Dr. Sigmund advises on communicating the treatment plan to owners effectively. This includes the importance of an Elizabethan collar (e-collar), the frequency of administering eye drops, and techniques for handling uncooperative patients. Dr. Sigmund also provides guidance on organizing drop schedules and reiterates the need for diligent follow-up care.

The episode concludes with Dr. Sigmund's contact information, encouraging listeners to reach out for further questions and thanking her for her valuable insights into ophthalmology.

Episode Outline

• [00:00] Episode intro
• [01:31] Dr. Moriah welcomes Dr. Alex Sigmund
• [02:06] Dr. Moriah presents a case to Dr. Sigmund
• [02:49] Dr. Sigmund gives the first actions to take on the case
• [07:30] Dr. Sigmund recommends the best drug to pick for the case presented
• [08:56] Would the medication be different if it were a cat?
• [11:20] Choosing between Orofloxacin and Erythromysin, formulation wise
• [12:48] Giving care conversation to the owner
• [15:56] Recheck timeframes
• [17:06] Episode wrap up

Mentioned in this episode:

So You're a Vet, Now What? - The Course

Are you a new or recent veterinary graduate? If so, Dr. Dave’s course, ‘So You’re a Vet… Now What?’ has been put together specifically for you. The course focuses on non-clinical skills. This is not as dull as it sounds. In fact, almost every career problem that people face is due to not having well-developed, non-clinical skills. These are skills like client communication, so you have great relationships with clients. Emotional intelligence, so you've got great relationships with your teammates. Effective negotiation skills, so you can get paid what you are worth. Management of imposter syndrome, so you can have confidence in your abilities. And, how to build formidable resilience, so you can handle everything that comes your way. These are not just skills. They are prerequisites vital for success and financial and emotional wellbeing. This course serves as an essential stepping stone to your success. Dr. Dave will be your mentor as you go through 12-modules, helping you transition from being a student to a fully rounded veterinary professional. Visit www.drdavenicol.com/syav-class to learn more.