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Originally Posted by Justin  Does lady have this issue in both eyes? Ginger is such a sweet dog but I did not plan on spending 75 a month plus misc doctor visits. I am not around to put drops in 4-6 times a day either. I'd be able to do once before work and then twice when I get home. Can you purchase the medicine in bulk to save money? If it has to be done I have no choice I suppose. I wish there was a health plan that includes all Meds and doctor visits. |
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Originally Posted by Justin The foster mom did mention that I would need to apply an ointment twice a day to the eye as well as clean it twice a day but I didn't realize I'd need to apply drops so regularly. I also thought this was a temporary issue though. Didn't realize this would be for life. |
Oh, dear. It doesn't sound like you were well informed what KCS involves.
Lady had it in one eye for a couple of years, but now she has it in both eyes. My ophthalmologist told me in the beginning that most likely the other eye would stop producing tears, too. Lady was 11 when she developed KCS, though. Since Ginger is so young, very likely hers is congenital, a problem with her tear producing glands.
Tacrolimus is compounded and has a shelf life so it can't be purchased in bulk. Walmart has the best prices on Genteal. I can get a twin pack for $18 plus tax.
It doesn't sound like the rescue group had a consult with an ophthalmologist for Ginger. That's unfortunate as it is important to know if she can produce tears with a stimulator or has no tear producing glands. If tear stimulators don't work, Ginger will need artificial tears 4-6 times a day
at a minimum. If not, she will most likely have problems with eye ulcers. She will also build up scar tissue over time and lose her eyesight. If she needs artificial tears 4-6 times a day, the rescue should place her in a home where someone is home during the day.
It is important for Ginger's sake that her adoptive family be prepared for the financial commitment adopting a dog with a health condition requires. It's not fair to be blindsided with unexpected vet bills. Lady had an eye infection two summers ago that cost $1,000 to treat. I am close to NC State Vet School so that was much less than what it would have cost with an ophthalmologist in private practice. One of the antibiotic eye drops was $92 a bottle and it only lasted a week. I had to refill it four times. I was lucky that the infection cleared up with topicals, too. The infection pocket had slighted penetrated the cornea. Thank heavens I caught it right away. Any deeper and I was told it would have required surgery.
I hope that you can get a better idea what you are dealing with from the rescue. Hopefully they will take Ginger to an ophthalmologist for an evaluation. It's only fair to Ginger that the rescue makes certain that any potential adoptive family is well prepared for what her condition involves.