Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Vet uses lip filler to save cat's eyes
Oreo was born with bilateral upper eyelid agenesis.

Novel procedure is less invasive compared to surgery. 

An innovative vet from Cheshire has successfully used a cosmetic procedure for humans to treat a cat with abnormal eyelids.

Natasha Carr-Sycheva from Eye Vet Referrals used human lip filler in place of reconstructive surgery to help a cat diagnosed with bilateral upper eyelid agenesis.

The two-year-old cat, named Oreo, was born with the congenital condition, which causes the eyelashes to rub against the eye surface. 

The most challenging aspect of the case was the extent of the agenesis. Three-quarters of the upper eyelid had not formed, and surgical repair would have required extensive skin grafting to repair.

After discussing the various surgical options with Oreo’s owner, it was agreed that Natasha would pursue the alternative solution of using hyaluronic acid filler injections. 

“These fillers are actually used in human aesthetic lip enhancement, but we were confident they could also be used in this different way to help Oreo,” Natasha explained. “The benefits of the injections are that they’re quicker, minimally invasive, only require sedation, not a general anaesthetic, and recovery is shorter and less painful. 

"There’s also an immediate beneficial effect with this technique, and once the patient has recovered from the sedation there is usually no further recovery period required.”

After sedating Oreo, Natasha and her team used surgical operating loupes to magnify his eyelids. The loupes enabled them to ensure the filler was injected into the correct position to direct the hairs away from the eye surface.

“When we heard about this ground-breaking treatment from Natasha and Eye Vet, we thought it was such a great idea,” said Oreo’s owner, Joanne Salomon. “It’s a much less invasive procedure compared to an operation, and without all the trauma and risks associated with surgery, so we were keen to try it. 

“We’re very pleased with the results. Oreo certainly seems happier, he has come out of himself more and is a lot more playful, which is all wonderful to see. We’re also now able to tell everyone that our cat’s had cosmetic surgery – and how many people can say that!” 

Image (C) Eye Vet Referrals.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.