OPHTHALMIC MANIFESTATIONS AND COMPLICATIONS OF DENTAL DISEASE IN DOGSAND CATS

Ophthalmic manifestations of dental disease may occur in dogs and cats because of the proximity between posterior maxillary teeth and the or bit Ophthalmic disorders may be diagnosed promptly, but the initiating dental disease may be overlooked. Inappropriate diagnosis and treatme nt of dental disease may result in loss of teeth, irreversible vision- threatening ophthalmic disease, or, ultimately, loss of the globe. Whe n ophthalmic examination results are suggestive of a primary dental di sorder, thorough examination of the maxillary teeth is imperative to d iagnose appropriately the underlying dental disease, Therapy should in clude treatment of the dental disease and secondary ophthalmic disorde rs.