Lipid deposits (Elton's check up)

[anniemac]

I was told by different vet Elton has a scar on eye but new vet said it was a lipid deposit. He said its a "cavalier" thing but it is nothing to be concerned about.

I like this new vet
a) he is very good looking (still looking for a vet for BF but more importantly
B) he seemed to know about cavaliers.

He had a good check up. He said he didn't hear a murmur which is good for his age (he's no cardiologist though).

Anyone else heard of lipid deposits and what should I do?

[pcfarrar]

Anyone else heard of lipid deposits and what should I do?

Our cavalier has a cholesterol deposit in her eye. She has had it a few years but it has recently started to fade, it is a small rectangular shape in her eye. I believe it is nothing to worry about and does not effect vision.

[RodRussell]

... Anyone else heard of lipid deposits and what should I do?

Love him.

[anniemac]

Love him.

That I do.....

[meljoy]

Hi,
Leo has lipid deposits too. I saw a vetenary opthalmologist who told me exactly what your vet has.
It doesnt cause him any problems....he can still spot a biscuit crumb from 200 yards.

[Karlin]

They can however signal problems and can progress, so they do need to be checked regularly. Why cavaliers and other dogs have them in their eyes is not exactly understood. They are relatively common though. The first vet is not necessarily wrong in decsribing them as scarring on the eye.

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/...s#.T2EZGpjXHzI

One of the main causes of corneal degeneration is lipid (fat) deposits in the supporting structure of the inner eyeball: the stroma and the epithelium. While lipids are a normal part of the body, being, as they are, a principal structure of living cells, hyper deposits of lipids in the tissues can bring about disorders to the system they are inhabiting. Systemic hyperlipoproteinemia, a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated concentrations of cholesterol and specific lipoprotein particles in the blood plasma, may increase the risk of deposits in the stroma, or may worsen already existing deposits. Hyperlipoproteinemia can be secondary to hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism (chronic production of too much cortisone), pancreatitis, nephrotic syndrome (a disorder in which the kidneys are damaged), and liver disease.

And

http://www.peteyedoctor.com/Corneal_Lipidosis.html. One extract below but there are other reasons too.

(Causes of lipid deposits)

An inherited condition called corneal dystrophy. This is usually noticed initially just in one eye but eventually progresses to affect the second eye. The appearance varies between breeds but most commonly these are cloudy spots in the center of each eye. It is quite rare that they progress to a point where there is significant vision loss. If this occurs in a dog to be used for breeding, the condition could be passed on.

Commonly affected breeds include the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Siberian Husky, Shetland Sheepdog, Collie and Beagle. This condition is usually non-painful though occasionally, particularly in Shelties, it can cause episodes of pain and chronic medical therapy (or even surgery) is sometimes indicated.

[BrooklynMom]

I like this new vet
a) he is very good looking (still looking for a vet for BF...

HA! Aren't we all! I would settle for a hunky vet nurse too....though I am not sure how happy that new addition would make to my marriage

[AT]

I had a rescue dog with lipid deposits which had collected in an old ulcer scar, my vet wanted to scrape it believing it was an ulcer and "it wasnt healing" he was annoyed when i insisted on a referal ( he likes to have a go at everything, not on my dogs thankyou)
The opthalmologist had a good look , said it was as above and nothing to worry about.

she also said their eyes where not as sensitive as other breeds which I had not heard before.

and i also think a hunky vet boyfriend would be quite handy maybe we should set up a dating service ,lol

[Karlin]

she also said their eyes where not as sensitive as other breeds which I had not heard before.

Me either and I think the majority of eye specialists would fiercely dispute that -- how could they not be as sensitive (eyes are eyes)? The size alone makes cavalier eyes a lot more likely to have accidents and dry eye as well is very common (as so many of us know!).

I think as with many things, this breed simply tolerates pain, not 'better', but by showing less visibly, and enduring more. The higher seratonin levels found by researchers would support this -- explains the happy disposition too and perhaps (I'd guess?!) is linked to breeding for that constantly wagging tail. I think they really have to be in pain most of the time to start outwardly showing pain so maybe some could interpret that as being 'less sensitive' is some ways. But don't think it is the right interpretation myself!

[ByFloSin]

I have no experience of Corneal Lipidosis being anything other than cosmetic and harmless. So far as I remember two of my dogs have had it. Angus from when I had him eye checked at just over a year old was the first of mine to have the condition. I was told by the consulting opthalmologist that it was a harmless and insignificant condition which he only noted on the examination certificate because he was required to. Mr Warren told me he had never seen either progression or any other ill effects resulting from it in all his many years of specialist practice. Angus lived to 16 yrs 10 mths without ill effects.

Miss Hattie was also certificated at just over a year old by the same consultant opthalmologist. Again he found CL and told me there was nothing to worry about. He rechecked her eyes every year until she died at 6 years old, but the condition had not progressed.

I have spoken with many, many other Cavalier owners and/or breeders about the condition over many years, but none of them has told me the condition has progressed, indicated signs of other disease or been passed on to the affected animal's progeny.

Karlin, 29 years of living 24/7 with multiple Cavaliers has told me that almost all of them have been absolutely intolerant of even the most minor of pains. Just try catching one of their hairs in the comb to see what I mean.