Page 6 - paws-and-hooves-autumn-2024

Celebrity The new fundus camera used
to examine Snowfake's eye

reindeer's

sight saved

Since Snowflake’s recovery from skin cancer in her
right eye, her owner Nick regularly checked for signs
of its return and after noticing a mass on her left eye,
he contacted his vet and Snowflake was referred to the
RVC. The team used a pioneering camera funded by the Dr Maria-Christine Fischer, Lecturer in
ACT, and found an abnormal growth. While Snowflake’s Ophthalmology at the RVC:
sight wasn’t affected, there were signs that the tumour
could lead to skin cancer. “The real-time images of
Reindeer, like dogs and cats, have a transparent third Snowflake’s eye could be seen
eyelid which helps keep dust away and it was this eyelid immediately by staff and students,
that was affected. While its removal could impact tear
production, the risk of cancer made surgical removal creating a unique and inclusive
the best course of treatment. Snowflake was put under learning experience.
a standing sedation and her eye, and the surrounding
area was numbed. Her calf stayed with her throughout
the procedure, to help keep her calm and relaxed. Lorraine Show. Naturally, reindeer reside in the Artic and
The third eyelid was completely removed and after experience huge differences in available sunlight as the
testing, it was discovered that the tumour was cancerous. seasons change. To adapt, a light-reflecting layer in the
Believed to be the first surgery of its kind, Dr Maria-Christine back of their eyes called a tapetum, changes from gold in
Fischer, a Lecturer in Ophthalmology at the RVC, explained: the summer to blue in the winter.
"It’s rewarding that we were able to completely excise the The Ophthalmology Team found it fascinating to observe
tumour and did not have to remove the eyeball. It’s a very Snowflake’s tapetum using the new fundus camera.
good outcome”. Funded with the help of our supporters, The Holliday
Foundation, the camera works independently of a
The nine-year-old reindeer has appeared in TV shows
such as EastEnders, Made in Chelsea, and The computer. The camera enabled the team to take images of
the back of the eye, which contains the tapetum, the retina
and its blood vessels and
Snowflake with her calf and the
RVC team after her operation the optic nerve. Having
the camera meant that the
students, the anaesthetist,
and the whole team could
see these structures.

Snowflake fully recovered
and is now a grandmother
to calves Twinkle and Ivy.

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