Back from the Eye Specialist - Poor Harley

[Kate H]

Your vet would probably give you Metacam for him, which is good at walloping pain. By 'follicles' does the ophthalmologist mean that Harley's eyelashes are rubbing against his eyeballs, causing irritation? If so, some soothing eyedrops might help - again your vet can suggest (I find Optrex Soothing Eyedrops from the chemist as good as anything, and it's not very 'druggy' so OK for dogs and usually doesn't interfere with other medication).

Get your weapons organised and your armour on, friend - you've got a fight on your hands to get Harley comfortable!

Kate, Oliver and Aled

[ByFloSin]

I have done some rooting around and found this on a reputable canine eyecare site:

"[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]3. DISTICHIASIS AND ECTOPIC CILIA. Eyelids of dogs can grow abnormal hairs. These hairs grow from the oil glands (Meibomian glands) of the lids and are called distichia if the hair protrudes from the oil gland opening onto the edge of the eyelid. Distichia are often irritating, especially if the hairs are long and stiff. Ectopic cilia are also hairs growing from oil glands on the eyelid, but the hair protrudes from the inner surface of the eyelid and is very painful, often causing corneal ulcers. [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Dogs with distichiasis may or may not show signs of discomfort, ranging from slight intermittent squinting and/or rubbing of the eyes, to severe squinting and discomfort. Dogs with ectopic cilia are always uncomfortable. Most dogs with ectopic cilia are young adult dogs or older puppies. Both conditions are common in Shih Tzus. Many other breeds have problems with distichia. At Animal Eye Care, both conditions are treated surgically under general anesthesia, with a procedure called cryoepilation. With this procedure, the abnormal hair follicles are frozen using a liquid nitrogen probe, and the hairs then removed. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=veranda][SIZE=1]Numerous distichia rubbing on the surface of the eye.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] After surgery, the eyelids are swollen for 4-5 days, and the eyelid margins will depigment and turn pink. Usually, the lid margins will repigment within 4 months. It is important to understand that new abnormal hairs can grow from new sites after surgery, but this is uncommon in dogs older than 3 years old (unless the dog is a Shih Tzu). With cryoepilation, 85-90% of the treated hair follicles will not regrow. Repeat surgical treatment is rarely required, unless the animal is a puppy (and grows new hairs in new sites) or a Shih Tzu. [/SIZE][/FONT]







This seems to fit in with what you remember the opthalmologist telling you, which excludes Corneal Lipidosis. Did you by any chance see someone at The Willows? If so, they don't mind if you e-mail them with any questions

[Sabby]

Just talked to the specialist again. I have asked for pain relief so I will be picking that up this afternoon.

Thank you Flo in taking the time to look this up. I always say the people on this Forum are amazing.

Flo – He has not got DISTICHIASIS AND ECTOPIC CILIA he said if he would have that they would operate straight away as it is very very painful. The follicles are more like spots and are coursed by the immune system, can’t remember if he said insufficient immune system.

The ulcer he said is very small but he said that other breeds don’t find it that painful but most Cavaliers do. Again he said about fat deposits and i am sure he mentioned Lipidosis. I am useless when it comes to remembering things. He said that the eye drops are anti inflammatory and antibiotics and the cream will help to sooth his eyes but Harleys body has to do the healing. There is a very good chance that he will heal, I should see a difference within a week but if he is still the same in one week with no improvement then I need to go back in a week.

I didn't go to the Willows i am lucky my vets have an Opthalmologist in house.

[MadeleineSarah]

How is Harley progressing now?
Did he respond well to treatment?

Hope you and your little boy are well.
M&O

[Sabby]

How is Harley progressing now?
Did he respond well to treatment?

Hope you and your little boy are well.
M&O

Thanks for asking.

His eye looks a lot better but I won't know if the ulcer is gone untill i am going back to the specialist on thursday. I really hope he doesn't need a operation.

[MadeleineSarah]

I'll keep everything crossed for you both. Let us know how you get on tomorrow.

M&O x