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Western Veterinary Specialist & Emergency Centre
Hours
Location
Contact
Western Veterinary Specialist & Emergency Centre
403-770-1340
What is veterinary ophthalmology?
Our veterinary ophthalmologist specializes in vision care and the diagnosis and treatment of eye and eyelid disorders. Our ophthaolmology service is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases in all animals including dogs, cats, horses, birds, rabbits, and exotic species.
Who is a veterinary ophthalmologist?
A veterinary ophthalmology specialist has graduated from a veterinary medicine college, completed a 1-year internship in medicine and surgery, and successfully completed a 3-year ACVO-approved residency in ophthalmology. For a person to become an ACVO Diplomate, his or her credentials are reviewed and must be accepted by the ACVO Credentials Committee for the applicant to be allowed to take the ACVO certifying examination ("Boards"). The board exam is a three section, four day process, consisting of written, practical, and surgical portions. Finally, after passing all of the above criteria, the veterinarian is recognized as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists®. They are now board-certified in veterinary ophthalmology. Only board-certified persons may call themselves a "veterinary specialist," a "specialist in ophthalmology," or an "ophthalmologist" in a veterinary setting.
Our Treatment Capabilities:
Our advanced equipment and capabilities include:
Referrals & Consults:
If you have an emergency to refer, please call 403-770-1340 and explain that you have an ocular emergency to refer. Please request that one of the ophthalmology staff be paged.
To make a referral or to receive a consult for your patient with an ophthalmic issue please call 403-770-1340, complete the ONLINE REFERRAL FORM.
Appointments:
How will I be informed after my client's appointment?
You will receive a referral letter by fax that includes diagnostic and treatment information. In addition, after each initial consultation, the doctor will contact you directly by phone with a brief verbal update. If surgery or additional diagnostics are performed, a surgical or diagnostic report with postoperative care and treatment recommendations will be provided by fax.
When Does My Pet Need an Eye Evaluation?
The following are some common indications that your pet needs an eye evaluation:
A referral from a primary care veterinarian is requested when seeing our veterinary ophthalmologist.
What to Expect at Your Appointment:
Resources for You & Your Pet
Veterinary Ophthalmologists are Veterinarian Specialists in Cat and Dog Eye Problems
Just like a human ophthalmologist, veterinarians interested in ophthalmology must seek additional, intensive training to become a specialist and earn this prestigious credentialing. In veterinary medicine, specialty status is granted by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO). A veterinarian that has received this specialty status will list the initials, 'DACVO,' after his or her DVM degree. Or, the veterinarian may indicate that he or she is a 'Diplomate' of the ACVO. The word 'Diplomate' typically means the specialist has achieved the following:
After completing and passing all of the above, the veterinarian is recognized by his or her peers as a board-certified specialist in veterinary ophthalmology. As you can see, when your pet needs the specialized care of a veterinary ophthalmologist, all of the intensive training and additional education outlined above is focused on helping your pet to recover from, or enjoy the highest quality of life while living with the condition.
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