Infection in the eyes

[BelwoBelwo]

Bella is not a little over 2 years over. Since she was a pup, she always had tearstains around her eyes. A few times she couldn't open her eyes. I noticed lately that her eyes look swollen so I'm beginning to think it is something more serious. Her eyes look swollen. Even after 1 day of shower, the next day the tearstains around her eyes are completely stained all over her fur and she looks as if she hasn't showered for weeks. Motherly instinct, is telling me she has some sort of infection.

I'm taking her to the vet tomorrow but I want to know if anyone else had this problem and what is the diagnoses? The vet clinic is always charging an arm and a leg. I want to have a little idea what I'm going in for and what to expect.

Thanks.

[Ladymom]

It could be anything from a blocked tear duct to KCS (dry eye). I'm glad you are taking her to the vet.

[BelwoBelwo]

Took Bella to the Vet yesterday. Luckily I did. She has an ulcer in her right eyes and it was completely blood shot red. She was in pain and whimping. Poor baby cannot go out door for two weeks and has to wear a cone so that she won't scratch her eyes.

Apparently she does have dry eye. Her glands do not produce enough tears so it is easily irritated. Going forward, I have to put eye drops in her eyes to assist.

[YorkieChick1]

I'm glad you found out what it was!! I hope Bella gets better quick!!

[Ladymom]

I'm glad you took her to the vet. Eye ulcers are very painful.

What tear stimulator did your vet prescribe? I didn't have much luck with cyclosporin so Lady's opthamalogist prescribed the new FK506 which has been amazing. I also prefer Genteal Severe eye gel (not the drops) to Lubrithol which are the artificial tears vets usually prescribe.

Apparently, KCS (dry eye) is congenital in Yorkies and tear stimulaters often don't work:

Congenital conditions are often seen in Yorkshire terriers, in which the lacrimal glands do not develop fully and are smaller than normal. In this case, drugs that stimulate tear production do not help, since not much tissue is available to stimulate.

Surgery Can Relieve Dogs' Dry Eyes

Since Bella is so young, you might want to consider surgery if tear stimulaters don't work since scar tissue forms over time and will eventually lead to blindness. A salivary gland is moved to the eye and lubricates it. An opthamologist can give you more information.

[BelwoBelwo]

Hopefully the tears stimulator and antibiotic can help the ulcer on her right eye. I'm at work so don't have it with me. Will let you know the brand tomorrow.

Bella's left eye wasn't very responsive to light so I'm kinda worried she's partially blind or heading that way. I will have to bring her to a specialist.

I should've had her eyes checked when she was a pup. Her eye area is always stained and if she doesnt shower within a few days, she looks dirty and unkept because of the tearstains. I read about tearstains and how its normal to have them, but noone mentioned anything about the dry eye condition so since I never owned a dog before, I had no clue. I should've known something was seriously wrong. I hope it is not too late and they can still save her eye. She has too much life in her to go blind.

Thanks Yorkiemom and Ladymom!

I brought Teddy ( my other baby) with me to the vet too. I was in a rush cause the clinic was about to close so I didn't bring their harness. Well when Teddy saw Bella with the cone, he ran out of the clinic ( highly unusual cause he never leaves my side). We had four people chasing after him. He ran towards oncoming traffic and into a residential area. I didn't know where he was for half n hour so I just stood in one spot and yelled his name. I thought for sure I was going to lose him forever. Finally he came running out and into my arms.

I was so upset over Bellas eyes and almost losing Teddy, I sat in my car and wept. Talking about a rough day.

I'm in the process of getting pet insurance for them. Yesterday's visit was $300 and all they did was look at her eyes for 10 mins n gave me some ointment. I can't imagine how much a major surgery would cost. *sigh*

[Ladymom]

I would take Bella to an opthamalogist at some point for a second opinion. They have much more sophisticated equipment to evaluate her eye.

Even if you do get pet insurance, it would probably be considered a pre-existing condition and not be covered. It's a very long surgery and I'm sure very expensive.

Are you home during the day? Putting artificial tears in her eye every 4-6 hours can help prevent ulcers and give her some relief.

[KodysMom]

Do you have an update on your situation? My dog has zero tear production and is three... I think it is related to MVD (liver). They are hoping as that situation gets better the tears will come back.. I guess these are common together. After two weeks he has not been responsive to cyclosporine and i am going to the opthamologist tomorrow. I feel terrible - his eyes are in pain, he hates to even open them.

[Wylie's Mom]

Belwo - a note on Insurance - it likely won't pay anything for something that has already been diagnosed - so you may want to really look at that carefully.

Some thoughts on dry eye - I HAVE that and have looked into it until I nearly lost my mind bc I got to the point where I could hardly see the computer screen in front of me (or the TV, or street signs or anything) - I was scared I was going blind! Finally got diagnosed about 6 mths or so ago.

The drops do help but there is a lot of research that people w/ dry eyes need OMEGAs in their diet (extra!). I was already taking fish oil, so I added one in the evening and noticed some improvement. Then I read some more about other oils like borage. So, I went to Target and found a combo oil for about 6.99 that includes Fish, Flax, and Borage Oil (Target Brand) and take it morning and evening - and WITHIN ONE WEEK my vision was returning to normal. I'm not even using re-wetting drops now and my vision has normalized - and I could BARELY see for a while. So, I just wanted to share that - bc Omegas are so good for dogs and this may help these babies.