Chloe Hardman
What animals do you work with?
At Animal Eye Care I see eye cases in all species of animals, but most of my patients are dogs and cats. I see many inherited eye diseases, traumas and immune-mediated inflammatory conditions and perform surgeries on all parts of the eye including eyelids, cornea and the lens. My knowledge of ophthalmology in domestic species can be extrapolated to the exotic cases at the zoo allowing me to offer my services.
How long have you been working as a zookeeper/vet/vet nurse?
I have been seeing cases at Melbourne Zoo for over 10 years as a consultant veterinary ophthalmologist. I work at Animal Eye Care, an eye specialist clinic for animals and my qualifications are BVSc (Bachelor Vet Science), MVS (Master of Veterinary Studies), FACVSc (Ophthalmology - Fellowship of Australian College of Veterinary Scientists)
What do you love most about your job?
The very good outcomes of the majority of cases - as successful treatments result in return of vision, relief of pain and discomfort and improved quality of life for the pets. In some cases that we are not able to help we are able to educate and inform the clients about the condition so that they know how to care for their pets. So in general there are very happy outcomes and it is rewarding.
Tell us about the snow leopard cubs:
Snow Leopards are known to be predisposed to an inherited congenital condition known as Multiple Ocular Coloboma. Twenty years ago some affected cubs were born at Melbourne Zoo. Checking Tashi and Gobi was very important to ensure that they were normal with normal comfortable eyelids and normal vision. MOC can result in incomplete formation of the eyelids that causes constant irritation, pain and can result in ulceration, scarring and reduced vision. MOC in its most serious form can result in blindness due to colobomas or 'holes' in the optic disc due to incomplete development.
Seeing cases at the zoo gives me the opportunity to see amazing exotic animals and put my expertise to good use helping the zoo vets care for their residents' eyes.
