Weekend trip turned to animal hospital

Well can't get away from it. I have watched ellas eye past days and today she was panting and crying. It cleared up but took her to carolina vet to not only pick up medication but to get checked in case of infection. Actually her neurologists partners tech noticed her and immediately took her back. Not infected but she is seeing her main specialist who is really good but could also notice change.

Which led me to contact neurologist (facebook friend) and noticed he was at the piedmont kennel club show performing BAER studies. Had no idea... not on rods site.

He has moved along with partner (not far) but will still have one day at old location but found out that ella is his only client that day. Others at new location. I feel comfortable knowing I can get things checked out fast.

She is doing better but thought I would share the update

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So what was the diagnosis on Ella's eye? And are you saying that she will see the ophthalmologist next week? (I always have trouble spelling that word - tend to leave out the first "h"!!) I worry about glaucoma in these cases and want to check pressure with a tonometer.

Pat

I have tried to write this 3 times so short story, she has a great optomistrist, dr. Eichenbaum and the person on weekends said she is ok to wait until Monday to see him. Even though he has surgery all day, she is going to get in.

Her eye does not close, so told of risk of ulcers among other things but it has yet to bother her. I must keep lubricated with surgical lubricant alternated with refresh drops.

I will wait to get diagnosis from him since not only does he know her, I heard he is one of the best. I'm sure its going to be something to do with dry eye. Will wait to have him tell me and talk about removal or if there is something else.

Thanks and I will keep you updated. I don't know if it got scratched because it is not fully set or something else.

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I had wondered if related to decreasing prednisone since he had mentioned that helps. I worried it was infected. I had started to notice slight film on pupil. So not infected but gave her tramadol and is acting and feeling better but needs to get addressed monday

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One small point of interest - optometrists are human health care professionals that diagnose vision problems and prescribe contacts and glasses, etc. They are not medical doctors, which are called ophthalmologists. There is no such thing as a veterinary optometrist since animals don't wear glasses or contacts. Veterinary eye specialists are ophthalmologists, not optometrists. This is important to know in case people want to google and find a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist. I have a great one in Atlanta that I've consulted for numerous dogs over the years. She was an essential part of my vet team for Darby - my rescue Cavalier that had bilateral juvenile cataracts, uveitis and glaucoma. He is the boy who had both eyes removed when he was 13, and he was a "new dog" after that because he was completely pain free for the first time in years. He lived another two years and did fine with no eyes.

Pat

That is a huge difference. Thank you.

It really doesn't matter one way or another but I was curious if true. She said she knows someone at texas a&m vet who will travel to see him. So would like to know out of curiousity.

he does do several surgies and started to mention something he might could try then stopped. I just am glad to have a specialist close by that I know is very familiar with these things. So much better than vet. The person on weekends doesn't really "work" there just emergency. He works at same place as her neurologist and so knows her situation and so I feel better with him.

At first it didn't bother her and you are aware of that part. Now I'm thinking its best to probably remove it if its just going to bother her and she can't see anyway. Its hard because I was talking to neurologist about her psom so I just have some major things to consider but eye is now priority if it is causing pain I'm sure it is. It was out of charachter and even though not scratching, I can tell its bothering her.



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Pat.

I will have questions I'm sure once I talk to him. Thank you

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anniemac said:

It really doesn't matter one way or another but I was curious if true. She said she knows someone at texas a&m vet who will travel to see him. So would like to know out of curiousity.

At first it didn't bother her and you are aware of that part. Now I'm thinking its best to probably remove it if its just going to bother her and she can't see anyway. Its hard because I was talking to neurologist about her psom so I just have some major things to consider but eye is now priority if it is causing pain I'm sure it is. It was out of charachter and even though not scratching, I can tell its bothering her.

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You are curious if what is true??

For Darby, I waited way too long before removing his eyes. In his case, he was blind anyway and the very expensive drops were no longer controlling his glaucoma. The pain is described by humans as like having a headache all of the time. Also, he kept scratching one eye in particular and he would get painful ulcers which necessitated more expensive drops and specialist visits. After his eyes were gone - no problems at all and no pain. If I'm in that situation again in the future, I won't hesitate as I did before.

Pat

Pat,

Did your ophtamologist (spelling) do the surgery and did he put a marble in? Also when you said "pain" free, how did you determine pain was from eyes?

The reason I'm asking is I was ready for removal then when heard cost, I waited. Then went to vet because I thought the marble was just for looks. Her vet knew concern with cost especially dealing with sm issue, however, rather listen to specialist. Had both dr. Eichenbaum and dr. Brofman talk together. Nice they work or did at same location.

Her eye did look better back then but he said it can lead to problems but could manage and said eye set in more. He expected to see huge problems. Her vet said if she is not scratching then its not bothering her. I don't want everything to be assumed that her expression of pain sometimes is automatically sm related.

I could tell today because of obvious things that seemed different. You have dealt with dogs with multiple conditions. how did you realize that the pain was from what? I guess I could see change by discharge and cloudy pupil. Maybe these would be good questions to ask Monday.

Ella seems to be managing better on medications. Would you recommend paying extra to have specialist remove and is a marble that much of a difference? He will not do it without.

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One more question.

Can having the eye remain, cause problems to other eye?

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Nope - my GP vet removed Darby's eyes, and the cost was $600 to remove both eyes (called enucleation). That was back in 2003. Enucleation is not a difficult procedure, it is just "bloody" because canine eyes have greater vasculature than human eyes. Ophthalmologist would have been probably three times that much. And....specialist was reluctant to do the surgery because Darby was 13 and had heart disease (not failure). We consulted with cardiologist on anesthesia protocol and had no problems. Also, my vet let me take him home the same day and specialist would have insisted on keeping him overnight. I wanted him home. I would not use the silicone implant because there is MORE risk of complications and risk of infection associated with that and there is NO reason to have it.

I knew Darby had pain from glaucoma because the disease is very painful if the pressure is uncontrolled - this is always true. I realized just how much pain he was in after it was over because his attitude and activity level changed pretty dramatically.

Pat

Pat

Pat said:

You are curious if what is true??



Pat

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I edited it because I thought it was hearsay and not something to ask on forum. She said he started in human medicine and first to start to actually specialize in eyes in animals. She said if anyone can do something he is the one to figure it out. I don't like to base something on what someone said and is not a reason someone to choose to see this person, but just wanted to know.


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Thanks pat. That's very helpful. I will still have her see him but now have more information. Her vet was 700 (I think) other (1100) and glad to know about extra risk. Just want to know questions to ask and to think about before.

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Oh gosh Anne, sorry that Ella seems in pain over this. Have they definitely dx'd glaucoma? My other dog Nash has it in one eye. For now, he's doing very, very well with the drops, but I know that could change. But, he's also diabetic and almost 13, so we will see what time brings. I know someday the drops may not control the pressure and we'll have to talk about removal.

It's so hard because your Ella has the SM which I am sure also causes pain and or discomfort.

I'll be thinking of you as you consult the ophthamologist and make a decision.

Cindy and Claire

mommytoClaire said:

Oh gosh Anne, sorry that Ella seems in pain over this. Have they definitely dx'd glaucoma? My other dog Nash has it in one eye. For now, he's doing very, very well with the drops, but I know that could change. But, he's also diabetic and almost 13, so we will see what time brings. I know someday the drops may not control the pressure and we'll have to talk about removal.

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No, I am the only one that mentioned glaucoma. I just said glaucoma worries me because I have gone through it with Darby. It was controlled for years with drops but then the drops stopped working, which is pretty typical. The most money I ever spent on any health problem was for glaucoma - although it was over a period of years.

Pat

anniemac said:

I edited it because I thought it was hearsay and not something to ask on forum. She said he started in human medicine and first to start to actually specialize in eyes in animals. She said if anyone can do something he is the one to figure it out. I don't like to base something on what someone said and is not a reason someone to choose to see this person, but just wanted to know.

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OK, I am still totally lost but that's okay. I have no idea who "she" and "he" are...........

Pat

Oh my.... soooooo sorry to hear about this news

Anniemac and Ella.... I love you both and hoping this resolves the best way possible. It sounds very painful.

I was more worried about infection and of course problems that can come from dry eye. I have to continually alternate between surgical lubricant and refresh drops. I will know more tomorrow but she looks better.

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Keep giving us updates please....

You also can call me anytime you need someone to talk to. Love you and Ella!