Scary procedure - what do you think? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

ziggy925 · 12-21-2010, 01:00 PM

I'm writing about my girlfriend's Westie because I dont' know where else to turn. The little guy has developed ulcer(s) on his cornea, and the vet has been using all kinds of drops and medications but nothing seems to be helping. Miles eye is oozing stange stuff, and he is rubbing it and keeping it closed -- he now has a cone on his head.

The vet has contacted a dog opthamologist in Denver, and he was instructed to sedate Miles, stitch his eye open and scrape the bad tissue off the cornea. When done he is going to stitch his eye closed, and will take out the stitches when his eye is healed. The opthamologist claimed that this problem and this procedure is fairly common for Westies, but neither myself or my girlfriend has heard of it.

We are both very scared about both the procedure and outcome. Any thoughts? Thank you.

ArmaniMan · 12-21-2010, 01:03 PM

I have never heard of this procedure- but I think if the opthamolgist recommended it, it must be something they have experience with. I always recommend people get a second opinion if they are nervous or not trusting of the first one. Good Luck- it does sound scary.

Rhetts_mama · 12-21-2010, 01:05 PM

Is the primary vet going to do this, or are you going to have a specially trained Opthamologist do it?

Perrella · 12-21-2010, 01:08 PM

Maybe she can find an opthmalogist that she could actually take him to for the 2nd opinion.
Who could also do the procedure if necessary. I don't think I would want a doc doing the eye scraping that's never done it before. Good luck and I hope it all works out for the little guy..

ladyjane · 12-21-2010, 01:42 PM

YES, this is commonly done! And, yes, a general vet can do it! I have had this issue before and then have followed up with the specialist.
With eye ulcers...when they are just beginning, eye drops will sometimes cure. Then, if it is a deeper ulcer, perhaps a third eyelid flap.
What you are referring to I believe is a grid keratotomy. It sounds much worse than it is! and, it works!
It is VERY important that you get something done right away...if not, the pup is at risk of losing sight in that eye!
If you are that uncomfortable with a general vet doing it, then by all means, go to a vet opthamologist; but please do it ASAP!!

ladyjane · 12-21-2010, 01:44 PM

I want to add that I have had a few pups go through this. Eye ulcers are nothing to mess with!
Eye ulcers are very easy to diagnose and treat!

ladyjane · 12-21-2010, 01:45 PM

Just found this link:

Waltham - OSU Symposium

ziggy925 · 12-21-2010, 01:50 PM

I agree that the opthamologist should be doing the work, but it's a 3.5 hour drive through the mountains (on a good day), and the passes are extremely bad right now. They could close the highway and we could get stuck between here and there for a day or more.

I'm not quite as worried as I was, after doing more research on the Net. Looks like this is a common problem with Westies, and the procedure the vet is going to do is the correct procedure to resolve the problem. Since Miles is 9 years old, this could take about a month to heal up, and I have a feeling we would have time to get down to the opthamologist if this doesn't work.

Still a little scared, but thanks for the replies. My girlfriend doesn't do the holidays well, is under a lot of stress, and this is just throwing gasoline on the fire. Bad situation and worse timing.

ladyjane · 12-21-2010, 01:54 PM

I have had a few of these done and never have I gone to an opthamologist! And, anyone who knows me, knows that I am the first to recommend a specialist for certain things. This is a common problem and something that regular vets should be able to do.

Like I said, it is a scary thing to hear....but really not as involved as it sounds.
Please let us know how this pup makes out!

Perrella · 12-21-2010, 01:55 PM

I would be comfortable with the vet doing it after Ladyjane explained it is a commom procedure and has experience with it. Will keep the little one in my prayers.

Maximo · 12-21-2010, 02:16 PM

I have been dealing with an eye ulcer in one of my boys and everything I read on the subject is right in line with LadyJane's post and personal experience.

Thankfully Maximo's eye has healed and won't require additional care.

Best wishes for the Westie.

ziggy925 · 12-23-2010, 04:09 PM

Well, Miles is back and seems to be doing fine, except for the one eye sewn shut. He was a bit lethargic so I brought Ruger over to cheer him up and that did it. He still seems a little sleepy, but he was watching TV and playing with Ruger. I guess we'll know more when the stitches come out and the vet can look at his eye.

I'm not a vet, but it looks pretty clean around his eye -- no discharge -- and if you don't look close you can't tell he has a problem. I think it's best now to just let him rest up.

Thanks all for the positive posts and the explanations of the problem.

Maximo · 12-23-2010, 04:21 PM

That is great news. How long does the eye have to be sewn shut?

ziggy925 · 12-23-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximo

That is great news. How long does the eye have to be sewn shut?

Two weeks, I think. My research said longer than that for this procedure, but I'm not the vet.

ladyjane · 12-24-2010, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziggy925

Well, Miles is back and seems to be doing fine, except for the one eye sewn shut. He was a bit lethargic so I brought Ruger over to cheer him up and that did it. He still seems a little sleepy, but he was watching TV and playing with Ruger. I guess we'll know more when the stitches come out and the vet can look at his eye.

I'm not a vet, but it looks pretty clean around his eye -- no discharge -- and if you don't look close you can't tell he has a problem. I think it's best now to just let him rest up.

Thanks all for the positive posts and the explanations of the problem.

Sounds like it went well. Will be looking forward to the update once the sutures are out.

12-21-2010, 01:00 PM	#1
ziggy925 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Aspen, CO, US Posts: 544	Scary procedure - what do you think? I'm writing about my girlfriend's Westie because I dont' know where else to turn. The little guy has developed ulcer(s) on his cornea, and the vet has been using all kinds of drops and medications but nothing seems to be helping. Miles eye is oozing stange stuff, and he is rubbing it and keeping it closed -- he now has a cone on his head. The vet has contacted a dog opthamologist in Denver, and he was instructed to sedate Miles, stitch his eye open and scrape the bad tissue off the cornea. When done he is going to stitch his eye closed, and will take out the stitches when his eye is healed. The opthamologist claimed that this problem and this procedure is fairly common for Westies, but neither myself or my girlfriend has heard of it. We are both very scared about both the procedure and outcome. Any thoughts? Thank you.

12-21-2010, 01:05 PM	#3
Rhetts_mama Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,959 Blog Entries: 1	Is the primary vet going to do this, or are you going to have a specially trained Opthamologist do it? __________________ Don't get your knickers in a knot. Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny.

12-21-2010, 01:08 PM	#4
Perrella Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: VA Posts: 8,040	Maybe she can find an opthmalogist that she could actually take him to for the 2nd opinion. Who could also do the procedure if necessary. I don't think I would want a doc doing the eye scraping that's never done it before. Good luck and I hope it all works out for the little guy.. __________________ Tena & Zhoie Sweet Little Miracle

12-21-2010, 01:42 PM	#5
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,451	YES, this is commonly done! And, yes, a general vet can do it! I have had this issue before and then have followed up with the specialist. With eye ulcers...when they are just beginning, eye drops will sometimes cure. Then, if it is a deeper ulcer, perhaps a third eyelid flap. What you are referring to I believe is a grid keratotomy. It sounds much worse than it is! and, it works! It is VERY important that you get something done right away...if not, the pup is at risk of losing sight in that eye! If you are that uncomfortable with a general vet doing it, then by all means, go to a vet opthamologist; but please do it ASAP!! __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

12-21-2010, 01:44 PM	#6
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,451	I want to add that I have had a few pups go through this. Eye ulcers are nothing to mess with! Eye ulcers are very easy to diagnose and treat! __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

12-21-2010, 01:03 PM	#2
ArmaniMan I ♥ Armani & Chloe Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 3,895	I have never heard of this procedure- but I think if the opthamolgist recommended it, it must be something they have experience with. I always recommend people get a second opinion if they are nervous or not trusting of the first one. Good Luck- it does sound scary.

12-21-2010, 01:45 PM	#7
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,451	Just found this link: Waltham - OSU Symposium __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

12-21-2010, 01:50 PM	#8
ziggy925 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Aspen, CO, US Posts: 544	I agree that the opthamologist should be doing the work, but it's a 3.5 hour drive through the mountains (on a good day), and the passes are extremely bad right now. They could close the highway and we could get stuck between here and there for a day or more. I'm not quite as worried as I was, after doing more research on the Net. Looks like this is a common problem with Westies, and the procedure the vet is going to do is the correct procedure to resolve the problem. Since Miles is 9 years old, this could take about a month to heal up, and I have a feeling we would have time to get down to the opthamologist if this doesn't work. Still a little scared, but thanks for the replies. My girlfriend doesn't do the holidays well, is under a lot of stress, and this is just throwing gasoline on the fire. Bad situation and worse timing.

12-21-2010, 01:54 PM	#9
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,451	I have had a few of these done and never have I gone to an opthamologist! And, anyone who knows me, knows that I am the first to recommend a specialist for certain things. This is a common problem and something that regular vets should be able to do. Like I said, it is a scary thing to hear....but really not as involved as it sounds. Please let us know how this pup makes out! __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

12-21-2010, 01:55 PM	#10
Perrella Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: VA Posts: 8,040	I would be comfortable with the vet doing it after Ladyjane explained it is a commom procedure and has experience with it. Will keep the little one in my prayers. __________________ Tena & Zhoie Sweet Little Miracle

12-21-2010, 02:16 PM	#11
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,041	I have been dealing with an eye ulcer in one of my boys and everything I read on the subject is right in line with LadyJane's post and personal experience. Thankfully Maximo's eye has healed and won't require additional care. Best wishes for the Westie. __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy

12-23-2010, 04:09 PM	#12
ziggy925 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Aspen, CO, US Posts: 544	Well, Miles is back and seems to be doing fine, except for the one eye sewn shut. He was a bit lethargic so I brought Ruger over to cheer him up and that did it. He still seems a little sleepy, but he was watching TV and playing with Ruger. I guess we'll know more when the stitches come out and the vet can look at his eye. I'm not a vet, but it looks pretty clean around his eye -- no discharge -- and if you don't look close you can't tell he has a problem. I think it's best now to just let him rest up. Thanks all for the positive posts and the explanations of the problem.

12-23-2010, 04:21 PM	#13
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,041	That is great news. How long does the eye have to be sewn shut? __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy