VCA San Francisco Veterinary Specialists

Why are my dog's pupils different sizes?

Published: May 07, 2012

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If you notice some irregularities in your canine companion's puppy-dog eyes, it's always a good idea to look a little closer. There are a number of issues that can arise in your dog's eyes, from corneal scratches and infections to glaucoma or other diseases.

Anisocoria in dogs is one irregularity to look for. Anisocoria is characterized by different-sized pupils in each eye, and can indicate a number of underlying conditions. Because anisocoria is a clinical sign, it is important for owners to work with the veterinarian to determine what the underlying cause might be.

Pupil irregularities can be caused by a corneal injury like an ulcer. They can also be a result of disease or injury to the brain and nerves near the eye. Retinal disease, cancer, glaucoma in dogs and other issues may be at play. VCA Animal Hospitals reports that if the anisocoria occurs suddenly, it should be treated as an emergency situation to prevent serious damage to your dog's vision.

When the veterinarian is examining the dog's eyes, he or she will focus on determining whether the issue is neurological or eye-related, according to PetMD.com. The treatment will be based on the underlying medical condition.

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General Practice

We have over 540 animal hospitals in 41 states that are staffed by more than 2,000 fully qualified, dedicated and compassionate veterinarians, with more than 200 being board-certified specialists. The nationwide VCA family of general practice hospitals give your pet the very best in medical care, providing a full range of general medical and surgical services as well as specialized treatments*: Wellness, Spay/neuter, Advanced diagnostic services (MRI/CT Scan), Internal medicine, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Cardiology, Neurology, Boarding, Grooming

*services may vary by location.

Our family of pet hospitals stands out by delivering the greatest resources in order provide the highest quality care available for your pets. By maintaining the highest standards of pet health care available anywhere, we emphasize prevention as well as healing. We provide continuing education programs to our doctors and staff and promote the open exchange of professional knowledge and expertise. And finally, we have established a consistent program of procedures and techniques, proven to be the most effective in keeping pets healthy.

Find a VCA General Care Animal Hospital near you:

 

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Emergency Care

In an Emergency ...

1. Contact your general veterinarian's office. They may be more closely located and available to assist you.

2. If it is after hours or VCA SFVS is more conveniently located, call us at (415) 401-9200 and provide the client service representative with:

  • Your name and your pet's name
  • Your location and estimated time of arrival
  • Your pet's emergency

3. Get support to safely transport your pet to VCA SFVS. If you have medical records related to your pet’s emergency, please bring those with you.

24/7 Urgent Care and Emergency Services

  • Complete intensive care unit (ICU) laboratory
  • Endoscopic foreign body removal
  • Full range of blood products
  • Oxygen therapy
  • 24-hour ICU monitoring by veterinary nurses trained in critical care, surgery and internal medicine
  • Emergency surgical service
  • Around-the-clock access to SFVS specialists
  • Post-operative care for referring veterinarians' surgical cases

We are committed to keeping your trusted primary care veterinarian informed and in the loop!

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