Everyday ophthalmology with Jennifer Sheahan

Vet Watch Episode 3

, we dive into the essentials of veterinary ophthalmology with Jennifer Sheahan, DVM, DACVO; and Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM. The pair discusses tonometry—what it is and why it’s important—along with practical tips and tricks for accurately measuring eye pressure. You’ll also learn expert techniques for using fluorescein stain and get clear guidance on when and how to perform direct vs indirect retinal exams as a general practioner or emergency veterinarian. 

The discussion also goes in-depth on the management of both primary and secondary glaucoma, with the goal of providing the knowledge and confidence necessary to handle these cases in practice. 

 “You love what you do by getting good at what you do and by practicing.... And you know that it comes quickly. It's as simple as, 'Oh, I need to get good at checking the eye pressures so it's more efficient and faster.' Just perfecting your trade. I think we're very lucky in the field that we're in...[it's] so beautiful, helping animals and stuff like that. So I'm always trying to learn as well.”

A link to the educational materials mentioned in the episode can be found here: 

Jennifer Sheahan, DVM, DACVO, was born and raised in Edmond, Oklahoma. She graduated UC Irvine with majors in Biology and Criminology in 2003. She attended veterinary school at Oklahoma State University, graduating in 2011. Following veterinary school, she completed a 1-year rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at Ohio State University followed by a 3-year residency in comparative ophthalmology at Animal Eye Care. She has a particular interest in ophthalmic pharmacology as well as dry eye disorders and retinal diseases. In her free time, she enjoys photography, running, traveling, and spending time with family.

Videos

Learn real-world strategies from Jennifer Sheahan, DVM, DACVO, to help master essential eye exams, manage emergencies, and elevate your ophthalmology skills in everyday practice.

Real-world ophthalmology: Diagnosing and managing eye conditions in pets

With the Fourth of July approaching, keeping clients informed of the dangers dogs face during this holiday season is important. With many people celebrating the holiday near bodies of water, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) recently shared precautions pet owners should take to keep their dogs safe if bringing their animal companion along to a day on a lake.

Assessing the quality of the water is a must before allowing dogs to access it, as large bodies of water may contain parasites and other hazards to dogs, according to Texas A&M.

 “I would try to discourage pets from drinking lake water as much as possible, as parasites, trash, contaminants and even certain algae can be in the water,” Erin Ray, DVM, clinical assistant professor at VMBS, said in a university report.

 “Researching the area, checking social media, or even calling the area officials to inquire about current conditions is always a good idea.

According to Ray, blue-green algae—a cyanobacteria that is found in stationary bodies of water like ponds, lakes, or rivers—produce toxins that may affect the liver and neurological system, posing a lethal risk to dogs and cats.

 Because this bacterium is difficult to spot with the naked eye, even clear bodies of water pose a risk.

“Dogs get infected by drinking or swimming in affected waters. When anchoring for a swim break (on a boat), it is best to avoid stagnant water and water with obvious algae ‘blooms’ on the water surface,” said Ray.

 Initial clinical signs of infection from this cyanobacterium include convulsions and collapse and can develop immediately after the animal leaves the water.

If bringing pets along to a boat trip, Texas A&M also advises owners to pack “pet care essentials.” These include

Gentle shampoo for dogs, such as those that are soap-free or oatmeal-based

Additional safety tips, in and out of the water

When operating a boat, exercise caution to prevent pets from falling overboard and being pulled underwater. To help keep pets safe, avoid sharp turns and high speeds. Additionally, introducing the dog to a life jacket ahead of the trip can help them feel more comfortable and ensure the life jacket fits properly. Ray recommends dogs wear a life jacket when on or near water to prevent drowning.

Aggressive animals inside and outside of the water

Human foods and beverages such as hot dogs, chips, alcohol, and chocolate should be kept out of reach of pets. Caregivers should also remain vigilant of pets consuming fireworks or trash.

Additionally, prolonged exposure to the sun and high temperatures pose a risk of dehydration and hyperthermia. “In the middle of summer it gets very hot, putting dogs at risk for heat stroke—especially brachycephalic breeds and dogs with thick/long coats—which is life-threatening and caused by not having access to ample clean, fresh water, shade or air-conditioning to cool down in,” Ray said.

Signs of hyperthermia include excessive panting, excessive water intake, seizures, lethargy, collapse, and blue-colored tongue or gums.

 Ray recommends avoiding dogs play for prolonged periods of time during the hottest times of the day without shade or water.

Data and advice on hyperthermia, dehydration, and burnt paw pads in dogs

Pets who are not in a safe space during firework displays may become stressed or anxious and are at higher risk of running away or becoming lost. According to a data analysis from the nonprofit organization Shelter Animals Count, the number of stray dog intakes at shelters consistently increases in the days surrounding July 4th.

Precautionary steps caregivers can take include planning ahead to secure pets in a safe, quiet place ahead of, during, and after the firework displays. According to Ray, white noise or reggae music may help calm pets.

For dogs on a boat trip, anchoring the boat farther from the fireworks can help reduce their stress. “Owners can try to calm down their pets physically with petting, calm voices and a loving hold,” Ray added.

 If firework-related anxiety is known prior to boat travel, a veterinary consultation is recommended to discuss potential medications that may help manage the pet’s stress levels.

Your pet’s lake day survival guide for the Fourth of July. Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. June 26, 2025. Accessed July 1, 2025. 

https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2025/06/26/your-pets-lake-day-survival-guide-for-the-fourth-of-july/

Springtime bliss: Keeping your pets safe from poisonous plants. Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. March 14, 2024. Accessed July 1, 2025. 

https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/keeping-your-pets-safe-from-poisonous-plants/?_gl=1*14r0p84*_ga*MTAxMDQ5Nzg3MS4xNzQ0MjkyNzky*_ga_3LYM4WJM04*czE3NTEzOTAwODQkbzExJGcwJHQxNzUxMzkwMzg4JGo1NCRsMCRoMA

Stray dog intakes spike after July 4th, new data from Shelter Animals Count confirms—Shelter Animals Count. News release. Shelter Animals Count. June 23, 2025. Accessed July 1, 2025. 

https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/stray-dog-intakes-spike-after-july-4th-new-data-from-shelter-animals-count-confirms/#:~:text=Analysis%2C%20SAC%20News-,Stray%20Dog%20Intakes%20Spike%20After%20July%204th%2C%20New%20Data%20from,seasonal%20spike%20and%20respond%20effectively

Articles

Blue-green algae is found in still bodies of water and may pose a lethal risk to cats and dogs

July 4th pet safety: Lakes, boating, and fireworks

“Veterinary technicians are wonderful...patient advocates and I think we sometimes...limit ourselves,” says Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, KPA-CTP, FFCP, in this interview with dvm360

A message for veterinary technicians from a veterinary technician 

Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, KPA-CTP, FFCP, owner of Chirrups and Chatter Cat and Dog Behavior Consulting and Training in Cleveland, Ohio, shares advice she hopes veterinary technicians will carry with them following a lecture she presented at the Fetch dvm360 conference in Nashville, Tennessee this past spring. In the video, Kucera speaks about the importance of self-advocacy and encourages technicians to 'find their happy.'

Below is a partial transcript, which has been lightly edited for improved clarity:

Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, KPA-CTP, FFCP: 

I understand it can be challenging out here for vet techs. I know sometimes we don't have title protection, we're working towards a lot of things as far as us being respected and just treated well. Again, title protection is a whole separate thing, but I need you to understand how amazing you are. Veterinary technicians are wonderful, amazing patient advocates, and I think we sometimes—a lot of the time—limit ourselves, and that is not something I do anymore.

I have so many gigs, and I am helping animals and people in so many ways and that's going to look different for all of you but please don't limit yourself. Many of you may feel stuck. I work with a lot of, and kind of talk to a lot of vet techs who are like, "I'm stuck here, it's like this everywhere," and they're not happy due to numerous reasons. The good news is it can feel like that but it's not like that everywhere.

And the more of us advocating for ourselves...yes, you're going to take a lunch. Yes, my scrub allowance will be part of this. Yes, CE allowance is part of our just normal, right? The amount of interviews I went on and I just had routine open-ended questions, and although I wasn't a good fit with that clinic, they then started offering CE allowance for all their technicians.

So these are things that you can do to not only advocate for yourself but also advocate for your colleagues and then also find your happy. Your thing might be behavior or it may be nutrition or end-of-life care. And that's where going to conferences like 

 is really helpful because I know we're like, “oh, we're so tired.” The idea of going to a conference is exhausting, but actually it kind of lifts you up. You get to talk to others who understand and recognize what you're going through. And you kind of get to get excited about vet med...

Vet Set Go in partnership with Antech Diagnostics has launched a veterinary shadowing contest for high school students, marking the first year the program is being offered. The winner of the 2025 Become a Vet Shadowing Contest will have the opportunity to shadow a veterinarian at West Ridge Animal Hospital in Greeley, Colorado this summer.

The contest is open to high school students aged 16 to 18 years. Entries are being accepted through July 11, 2025.

The selected student will have the opportunity to shadow a veterinarian and their team at West Ridge Animal Hospital on July 30, 2025.

 The winner will also have the chance to meet Tammi Lesser, BASc, interim president and senior vice president of strategic marketing and commercial support of Antech Diagnostics, North America. Lesser will share her career journey from kennel assistant through credentialed veterinary technician to her current leadership role.

“Vet Set Go works everyday to encourage future veterinarians across the country to make their dreams come true and this contest is here to jump start your shadowing efforts,” Vet Set Go stated in its contest guidelines.

To enter, applicants must submit a personal statement of 300 words or less explaining why they want to become a veterinarian, sharing any steps they have taken to pursue that goal. According to the contest guidelines, students may consider addressing the following

What they have done to get animal experience

What they have done to gain experience or knowledge about the science of animals

What they have done to learn more about veterinarians

Applicants should also submit a photo of themselves helping animals or spending time with one. All entries must be submitted by a student, parent, or legal guardian who is at least 18 years of age.

In 1978, West Ridge became the first hospital in the Northern Colorado area to receive American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accreditation.

 To date, the hospital stands as the only full service AAHA-accredited hospital in Greeley and has recently attained the highest level of AAHA accreditation available.

The hospital offers preventive care and wellness examinations, illness examinations, urgent/emergency care, exotic pet care, and traditional and special medical boarding.

They also offer internal medicine services, such as digital radiology, blood transfusions, ultrasound, and more. Surgical and specialty services, including advanced orthopedic surgery, laparoscopy, endoscopy, and dental services are also offered. Moreover, the hospital provides alternative medicine. This includes acupuncture and veterinary orthopedic manipulation, cold laser therapy, rehabilitation, and fitness services.

2025 Become a Vet Shadowing Contest – Colorado. Vet Set Go. Accessed June 30, 2025. 

https://www.vetsetgo.com/about/2025-colorado-shadowing-contest

Win a shadowing opportunity this summer. News release. Vet Set Go. June 12, 2025. Accessed June 30, 2025. 

https://www.vetsetgo.com/community/win-a-shadowing-opportunity-this-summer

About our hospital. West Ridge Animal Hospital. Accessed June 30, 2025. 

Aspiring veterinarians in Colorado can gain real-world insight through the 2025 Become a Vet Shadowing Contest

Veterinary shadowing contest opens to high school students

At dvm360, we believe that celebrating Pride means more than just recognizing a month, it’s about championing visibility, amplifying LGBTQ+ voices, and sharing meaningful stories that inspire lasting change within veterinary medicine and beyond.

To recognize the end of this year’s Pride Month, we have curated the content we published this month, from panel discussions to commentary articles, highlighting the importance of creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone in veterinary medicine, including staff and clients.

 for dvm360, Josh Sanabria, DVM, shared how veterinary practices can cultivate environments where people feel safe, respected, and cared for. Throughout the article, Sanabria dives into why inclusivity matters in the veterinary clinic, from the impact it can have on clients who consider their pets chosen family to a safe and respectful environment for staff to show up and be themselves without fear of judgement, bias, or exclusion, so they can focus on giving the best care.

 of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA welcomes Jennifer Scanlon, LCSW, to talk about the importance of the human-animal bond for those in the LGTBQ+ community. The duo spends the episode sharing personal anecdotes about the impact pets have had on them growing up and how these animals can potentially be the only lifeline for those in the LGBTQ+ community, so safe spaces for them to get their pets care is crucial.

 with Christman, Maria Libonate, RVT, and Leslie Soper, CVT, to talk about the importance of allies and mentorship for those with in the veterinary and LGBTQ+ community to help them grow and become comfortable sharing and expressing who they are, when it is safe, at work, how veterinary medicine is becoming more inclusive, and how veterinary hospitals can show their support.

Along with editorial coverage for the month, there is an opportunity to earn pride-themed 

on dvm360’s Flex platform! Christy Bell, DVM, explored the intersection of LGBTQIA+ identity and pet ownership, emphasizing the critical role veterinary professionals play in fostering inclusive, affirming, and culturally competent care in this webinar that is now available on demand!

Uplifting and supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community is needed year-round

Wrapping up Pride Month 

Often, practice owners aren’t aware of how much risk is shared between their personal and practice’s finances. The life cycle of any good built-from-the-ground-up practice hopefully follows this pattern:

The practice depends on its owner to see patients and generate revenue. 

The owner depends on staff to help generate more revenue. 

The owner depends on newly hired veterinarians to take ownership of seeing patients to generate more revenue and allow the owner to focus on the practice’s growth. 

The owner’s financial security for retirement depends on how much they saved during the years leading up to the eventual sale of the practice and the amount of the proceeds of the practice sale after taxes.

Meanwhile, the owner’s income is completely reliant on the performance of the business, and their retirement plan is, in many cases, nearly 100% dependent on the sale price of the business. If the owner’s retirement plan is not fully dependent on that sale, it’s because they own other assets that can generate income and the net proceeds from the sale of the business get added to that amount.

Once the business’ value is turned into cash for the seller, they are faced with the reality that now that money must be an income generator. The total from the sale is often not enough to take them through retirement at the income level they desire.

What are your practice goals, if you have any, or are you living day-to-day trying to make it through while making everyone happy, checking off the things you need to do? Most of the time when I ask what practice goals an owner may have, it’s followed by a brainstorming session of what goals they should have. This then leads us to more soul-searching for what they really want.

: We often find practice owners who are “ready to sell now” but are unaware they are not completely ready to sell. It’s scary and unknown. They know they are ready to sell but aren’t sure what exists for them post-sale.

So, what are some ways we can focus on the hopes, desires, and dreams of a practice owner so they can narrow down what’s important to them and, ultimately, line up the goals of the practice to ensure they are met?

There are many exercises that can help you narrow your focus. I will go through the one we most commonly use when we are coaching clients to find what they really desire.

Imagine yourself at the time that you sell your practice. It can be at the age of 45, 65, 85–it doesn’t matter. Forget about the financial numbers for a moment. You no longer see patients, and you don’t have any business messes to clean up. There isn’t anyone calling you with a need that only you can fill.

Think about what you are doing with your time and remember to think in the present tense. You have all the time in the world now. What’s on the list of things you now have the mental space and time to do? What is it that you’re emotionally gravitating toward doing? What gets you excited? Write them down and then prioritize them based on which ones are most important to you. What you listed as your personal goals will dictate how you accomplish them. However, the real question is, “how do I line them up with the practice goals?”

If you don’t have practice goals, the first place to start is imagining if you could snap your fingers, what would you change right now, and why? Sometimes the goals we hear from business owners are heavy. Sometimes they’re simple and easy.

The main goal for any business owner, veterinary or otherwise, is to create enough processes in the business that all employees can manage the practice entirely without the owner’s involvement, and the owner can have income that is truly passive, ie, income that pays the owner no matter what they’re doing with their time. The business continues to serve the community and run efficiently regardless of what the owner does with their time and attention.

After looking at your personal goals for after you’ve sold your practice, consider whether there is a chance you don’t have to wait until you sell the business before you can accomplish them. We often try to get our clients to take their list of personal goals and their list of what they’d change in their practice and start trying to connect the 2 lists. Creating a vision can give you the next clear steps to aligning the business’ direction toward accomplishing what you desire.

Securities products and advisory services offered through Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS), member FINRA, SIPC. OSJ: 4200 West Cypress Street, Suite 700, Tampa, FL 33607, 813-289-3632. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. The individuals associated with Florida Veterinary Advisors do not maintain specialized licenses or qualifications for the financial services provided to veterinary professionals. Florida Veterinary Advisors is not registered in any state or with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a Registered Investment Advisor. Florida Veterinary Advisors is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian. 7856149.1 Exp 4/15/2027

Check out these strategies to align practice growth with personal financial goals for a secure future.