Dry Eye Problems

[MaddiesMommie]

Originally Posted by kalina82

while working as a tech i've seen some dogs that get ulcers across the center of their eyes because they don't close their eyes totally while sleeping. This also creates a drying situation. its not something that's particularly common but it can happen.

HUH? Hadn't thought of that. I know this ulcer is right across the middle of her eye horizontially (sp?).

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by MaddiesMommie

I wondered that too after I realized how simple it was. I am going to ask for it Thurs. I just hate to appear to be arguing with a professional who gives me thier diagnosis and evidence to support it, ya know? That is why wasn't so pushy about it before. I am curious to know what it is b/c we have problems in the same eye.

i'd be shocked if he didn't have this simple test in office. i know when i worked in general practice we had them.

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by MaddiesMommie

HUH? Hadn't thought of that. I know this ulcer is right across the middle of her eye horizontially (sp?).

very suspicious place. i'd check her out every time she's sleeping to see if that's the case.

[MaddiesMommie]

Originally Posted by kalina82

very suspicious place. i'd check her out every time she's sleeping to see if that's the case.

Thanks. I will.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by kalina82

very suspicious place. i'd check her out every time she's sleeping to see if that's the case.

The ER vet who treated her for the first ulcer did do a tear test and diagnosed Maddie with dry eye, right?

That's why I can't understand why this vet is telling you she doesn't think Maddie has dry eye without even doing a tear test.

I hope you insist on the test on Thursday. It's such a simple and inexpensive test, there is just no reason to have to try to diagnose this yourself.

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

The ER vet who treated her for the first ulcer did do a tear test and diagnosed Maddie with dry eye, right?

That's why I can't understand why this vet is telling you she doesn't think Maddie has dry eye without even doing a tear test.

I hope you insist on the test on Thursday. It's such a simple and inexpensive test, there is just no reason to have to try to diagnose this yourself.

Oh i thought neither vet did the tear test? maybe i missed that part

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by kalina82

Oh i thought neither vet did the tear test? maybe i missed that part

I just assumed since the ER vet seven months ago diagnosed Maddie with dry eye, that the tear test had been done. It's pretty routine when a dog has an eye ulcer, isn't it?

That's why I can't understand why Maddie's regular vet is telling her that she doesn't think Maddie has dry eye, maybe just low tear production, when she has never done a tear test. Low tear production is KCS, too.

I makes no sense to me. We are taking about a $15-20 test that only takes a few seconds, not an expensive, invasive test.

That's why I suggested a referral to an ophthalmologist at the vet school 45 minutes away. It doesn't seem like Maddie's current vet is that knowledgeable about ophthalmology.

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

I just assumed since the ER vet seven months ago diagnosed Maddie with dry eye, that the tear test had been done. It's pretty routine when a dog has an eye ulcer, isn't it?

That's why I can't understand why Maddie's regular vet is telling her that she doesn't think Maddie has dry eye, maybe just low tear production, when she has never done a tear test. Low tear production is KCS, too.

I makes no sense to me. We are taking about a $15-20 test that only takes a few seconds, not an expensive, invasive test.

That's why I suggested a referral to an ophthalmologist at the vet school 45 minutes away. It doesn't seem like Maddie's current vet is that knowledgeable about ophthalmology.

I'm trying to think back...i don't think just for an eye ulcer that a tear test is done. The eye is usually stained and checked under a woods lamp to see if its scratched. depending on whether or not the cornea is scratched will determine what meds to prescribe. Its been over 4 years since i worked in general practice though.

I did take morgan to a ophthalmologist for her constantly drippy face. The first thing the tech did before the vet came into the room was check tear production and eye pressure. the vet came in and stained her eyes and flushed her tear ducts then did a thorough search of her eye, ducts, and lids for the problem.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by kalina82

I'm trying to think back...i don't think just for an eye ulcer that a tear test is done. The eye is usually stained and checked under a woods lamp to see if its scratched. depending on whether or not the cornea is scratched will determine what meds to prescribe. Its been over 4 years since i worked in general practice though.

I did take morgan to a ophthalmologist for her constantly drippy face. The first thing the tech did before the vet came into the room was check tear production and eye pressure. the vet came in and stained her eyes and flushed her tear ducts then did a thorough search of her eye, ducts, and lids for the problem.

I know that's how we discovered Lady had dry eye. She had an ulcer and a tear test was done routinely by her regular vet. Her vet also checked her pressure as part of the exam.

I guess it would depend on how thorough the vet was.

One way or another, two eye ulcers in seven months warrants a tear test IMO.

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

One way or another, two eye ulcers in seven months warrants a tear test IMO.

oh definitely. at the second visit if the problem is still there the vet should break out all the tests and check out those eyes.

[MaddiesMommie]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

The ER vet who treated her for the first ulcer did do a tear test and diagnosed Maddie with dry eye, right?

That's why I can't understand why this vet is telling you she doesn't think Maddie has dry eye without even doing a tear test.

I hope you insist on the test on Thursday. It's such a simple and inexpensive test, there is just no reason to have to try to diagnose this yourself.

No. The ER vet did not complete this test either. The only test Maddie has ever had done on her eye was the dye test to check for abrasions.

[MaddiesMommie]

[QUOTE=Ladymom;2751808]I just assumed since the ER vet seven months ago diagnosed Maddie with dry eye, that the tear test had been done. It's pretty routine when a dog has an eye ulcer, isn't it?

That's why I can't understand why Maddie's regular vet is telling her that she doesn't think Maddie has dry eye, maybe just low tear production, when she has never done a tear test. Low tear production is KCS, too.

I makes no sense to me. We are taking about a $15-20 test that only takes a few seconds, not an expensive, invasive test.

QUOTE]
I want to make sure it is understood that I am not trying to cut cost with Maddie. I would pay for a test if it was $150-$200. I have mentioned dry eye to her regular vet, but she doesn't see it. Maddie has NEVER had any test done to diagnose this. THe ER vet just said that was what she had. Her vet explained to me what dry-eye 'typically' looks like and doesn't feel that Maddie has it. Also, b/c Maddie can go months and never need drops or ointments, the problem doesn't appear to always be present. However, I am going to ask her to do the test just to satisfy my curiosity about this eye.

[MaddiesMommie]

Originally Posted by kalina82

I'm trying to think back...i don't think just for an eye ulcer that a tear test is done. The eye is usually stained and checked under a woods lamp to see if its scratched. depending on whether or not the cornea is scratched will determine what meds to prescribe. Its been over 4 years since i worked in general practice though.

I did take morgan to a ophthalmologist for her constantly drippy face. The first thing the tech did before the vet came into the room was check tear production and eye pressure. the vet came in and stained her eyes and flushed her tear ducts then did a thorough search of her eye, ducts, and lids for the problem.

Maddie was not given a tear test by either vet, regular or ER. She did just have the stain test by ER vet and regular vet looks at her eye under some sort of light. The ER vet said, dry eye. So I used the drops she gave and used clear eyes eye drops. After a few weeks, her eye was fine. I began adding fish oil to her food and did not need to use any meds. It was not until recently this problem started up again. Does dry eye typically occur and go away?

[Ladymom]

[quote=MaddiesMommie;2751896]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

I just assumed since the ER vet seven months ago diagnosed Maddie with dry eye, that the tear test had been done. It's pretty routine when a dog has an eye ulcer, isn't it?

That's why I can't understand why Maddie's regular vet is telling her that she doesn't think Maddie has dry eye, maybe just low tear production, when she has never done a tear test. Low tear production is KCS, too.

I makes no sense to me. We are taking about a $15-20 test that only takes a few seconds, not an expensive, invasive test.

QUOTE]
I want to make sure it is understood that I am not trying to cut cost with Maddie. I would pay for a test if it was $150-$200. I have mentioned dry eye to her regular vet, but she doesn't see it. Maddie has NEVER had any test done to diagnose this. THe ER vet just said that was what she had. Her vet explained to me what dry-eye 'typically' looks like and doesn't feel that Maddie has it. Also, b/c Maddie can go months and never need drops or ointments, the problem doesn't appear to always be present. However, I am going to ask her to do the test just to satisfy my curiosity about this eye.

I know you're not trying to cut costs. I feel badly for you and frustrated that Maddie has had two eye ulcers in seven months no one has done this simple, routine test. It makes no sense for vets to discuss what dry eye looks or "feels" like, to debate whether she has it or not, when the test takes a few seconds.

As I said, when Lady had her first eye ulcer, her regular vet did a tear test, tested the pressure in her eye, etc., a basic eye exam. That's why I suggested you take Maddie to an ophthalmologist if your regular vet isn't willing or able to to a basic eye exam.

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by MaddiesMommie

Maddie was not given a tear test by either vet, regular or ER. She did just have the stain test by ER vet and regular vet looks at her eye under some sort of light. The ER vet said, dry eye. So I used the drops she gave and used clear eyes eye drops. After a few weeks, her eye was fine. I began adding fish oil to her food and did not need to use any meds. It was not until recently this problem started up again. Does dry eye typically occur and go away?

i'm honestly not sure. i haven't dealt with it a lot. I would assume it would not go away though on its own. If the dog is not producing enough tears i don't know what would change physically to rectify the situation. I would think that only lubricant drops would help. Ladymom has been dealing with it for a long time so she would know more then i do about it.

If i were you, i'd go to the ophthomologist now while she still has a problem to just find out what is going on. its frustrating for her to get an ulcer every few months with out knowing the cause. It could be dry eye, or it could be sleeping with her eyes open, or it could be hair that is poking her in the eye... the specialist will be able to tell you.

With my yorkie, it turns out that her eye lids roll in ever so slightly and she has a few hairs where the roots actually are rolled into the eye. This causes enough problems for her eyes to provide extra tears to lubricate the eyes and protect them from the hairs. Her situation isn't easy to fix with using nitrogen to freeze the hairs off and possibly causing more damage then good. I use Genteal drops on her every now and then to help her out.