Need advice on possible blocked tear duck

[blondschilli]

I have a pup now 11 weeks old, he started when first opening eyes, squinting alot, so I took him to the vet he did a test for ulcer in the eye, he saw nothing, He suggested an eye doctor, Well I will tell you this I do wash his eye out and did use an antibotic in the eye which did help. He does get a yellow goop at least 3 times a day, and I do notice that his nose, the same side as the bad eye gets crusty, like a dryed boogy. I was thinking this looks like could be blocked tear duck. Maybe that is why it effects his nose too. Any suggestions? I did call the eye doctor but they want $200 to walk in the door and do eye test which he had. Then goes sky high up from their. I still and paying for my dogs xrays and csection. Please tell me if blockage could cause this.

[Ladymom]

I'm sorry, but asking for advice here can't replace an exam by an ophthalmologist. As I mentioned in your other thread, puppies can be born with blocked tear ducts, but it's possible he was born with no lacrimal glands. That condition is genetic in Yorkies.

Have you contacted your breeder? If she is reputable, she may pay for the ophthalmologist exam.

KCS (Dry Eye)

[blondschilli]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

I'm sorry, but asking for advice here can't replace an exam by an ophthalmologist. As I mentioned in your other thread, puppies can be born with blocked tear ducts, but it's possible he was born with no lacrimal glands. That condition is genetic in Yorkies.

Have you contacted your breeder? If she is reputable, she may pay for the ophthalmologist exam.

KCS (Dry Eye)

I am not the one with the other thread. someone else with dry eye problem. What is a lacrimal gland and is it repairable? I am the breeder of this litter. No problems in my yorkies line and I checked with the lady whom I used her male and she said she has had no problems. I have not sold this pup yet due to this. With the csection xray tails shots and other visits and the breeding cost I am not even making my money back, but I did tell the last person I would give her the dog for $500 thats $150 less than the other I sold, he is very tiny, 1lb 9oz at almost 12 weeks. How much do you think taking a guess that it would be to get this repaired if at all possible?

[Ladymom]

If you read the link I posted, it explains that lacrimal glands secrete tears. If the puppy is born without one or both, it is not repairable. In puppies that young, surgery to redirect a salivary gland to the eye will probably be recommended. The surgery is also described in the above link. If it's simply blocked tear ducts, they can be surgically opened.

As I said before, you need to have the puppy evaluated by an ophthalmologist. That is the only way you will know what is causing the puppy's dry eye and how to treat it and how much it will cost.

Can you get a referral to a vet school? They are often a little more reasonable. Another member got an estimate of $2500 to do one eye at U of Tennessee. That is extremely reasonable.

Giving a potential owner $150 discount on a puppy with KCS is no bargain. My Lady has KCS and I can tell you it is very expensive to maintain. I spend about $100 a month in artificial tears alone. Dogs with dry eye are prone to ulcers and infections. One bottle of antibiotic eye drops I had this summer for Lady cost $95 and I had to refill it three times. Ulcers that don't heal on their own can require surgery (graft) which costs about $1500 here at the vet school. Regular (at least every year) eye exams by an ophthalmologist will be necessary. As you said, they run $200 and up.

Dogs with dry eye build up scar tissue over time and will lose their vision eventually unless they have Parotid Duct surgery.

[Ladymom]

Here's another article for you. An ophthalmologist is the only one who can diagnose this condition, but because of his age and breed, I suspect that is what this puppy has.

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.

In the case of underdeveloped lacrimal glands, usually the only effective treatment is a surgical procedure called a parotid duct transposition. The parotid duct carries saliva from the salivary gland in the cheek to the front of the mouth. This long delicate tube can be surgically re-routed to the eye, where it can supply saliva to replace the aqueous portion of tears, providing lubrication and protection for the eye.

http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumn...cle.cfm?id=463

[blondschilli]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Here's another article for you. An ophthalmologist is the only one who can diagnose this condition, but because of his age and breed, I suspect that is what this puppy has.

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.

In the case of underdeveloped lacrimal glands, usually the only effective treatment is a surgical procedure called a parotid duct transposition. The parotid duct carries saliva from the salivary gland in the cheek to the front of the mouth. This long delicate tube can be surgically re-routed to the eye, where it can supply saliva to replace the aqueous portion of tears, providing lubrication and protection for the eye.

http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumn...cle.cfm?id=463

Thanks for you information.

[dwerten]

sounds like dry eye and yes it can go down to nostril as when the eye is dry it cannot drain down to the nose - here is a pic of what the nostril probably looks like right? I would invest the money in an opthamologist as your dog will probably need to go on cyclosporine drops - eyes are nothing to mess with they can go blind from this so the money will be well spent

[blondschilli]

Originally Posted by dwerten

sounds like dry eye and yes it can go down to nostril as when the eye is dry it cannot drain down to the nose - here is a pic of what the nostril probably looks like right? I would invest the money in an opthamologist as your dog will probably need to go on cyclosporine drops - eyes are nothing to mess with they can go blind from this so the money will be well spent

Yes real close, the dry crusty on the nose. Thank you for your responce I believe you are correct, I did notice when I put drops in his eye, Just an eye wash, that his eye looked dry. Thanks again and we will be visiting doc on my day off.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by blondschilli

Yes real close, the dry crusty on the nose. Thank you for your responce I believe you are correct, I did notice when I put drops in his eye, Just an eye wash, that his eye looked dry. Thanks again and we will be visiting doc on my day off.

Please keep us updated on the little guy.

[blondschilli]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Please keep us updated on the little guy.

Will do and thanks again for both of your responces.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by blondschilli

Will do and thanks again for both of your responces.

Did your vet give you a referral to an ophthalmologist?

[ladyjane]

This puppy needs to go to an opthamologist. Your vet recommended it....imo you are the one who brought the puppy into this world and you should do whatever is necessary to see that he is in good health. It would be so sad for him to lose his vision because you did not want to spend the money. I wish I lived closer to you...I would take him myself. Just heartbreaking.

People looking for solutions on the internet when a vet has recommended a specialist makes me so very sad.

[blondschilli]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Did your vet give you a referral to an ophthalmologist?

Yes only 2 in st louis that He told me of but I will go to the one whom takes carecredit helps me with time to pay the vet bill, They have now cut my hours at work to a meer 21 hours a week so times have been quite tough. But God will see me through all of this I am hoping.

[Ladymom]

There are three ophthalmologists listed for Missouri including the vet school. I don't know how far you are from Columbia, but vet schools are generally less expensive than private practice plus they are excellent.

CERF - ACVO Clinic List

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by blondschilli

Yes real close, the dry crusty on the nose. Thank you for your responce I believe you are correct, I did notice when I put drops in his eye, Just an eye wash, that his eye looked dry. Thanks again and we will be visiting doc on my day off.

yeah the way they know if it is blocked is they put a dye in the duct and if it does not roll out the nose they know it is blocked and why the nose is dry