clogged tear duct- opeartion?
 

Like many other Yorkies, Simba constantly has eye discharge. I read on a German Yorkshire Terrier forum that vets can unclogg the tear duct so that there won't be any more wet tear stains. I asked my vet and she said she could perform it at the same time with the neuter, micro chip, teeth pulling, etc. Has anyone here ever had this procedure done on their Yorkie and how invasive and dangerous is it? Simba is beautiful nevertheless, but he would be even more beautiful with clear eyes.

Anita

No I have never heard of it done with a pet. I know my mom had it done. Sorry Im no help. Good Luck Hope he gets it all took care of.

I had a Schnauzer one time that had to have this corrected. The procedure was really simple and poo-dog had no complications. If I remember correctly, they just had to essentially stick a stylus in the duct and open it.

I am no help, but would love to know about the procedure myself. Mine is not that bad, but it would be nice to not having any drainage at all. She has a grooming appt tomorrow and I will get the hair cut around the eyes which should help, but if this procedure would help also, I would like to get it done. If you have the procedure, could you let me know of the outcome and if it made a real difference. Thank you :)

Eye-gook
 

When I bought my male Yorkie, he had numerous health problems! So after I got him healthy, I started working on the eye-gook problems. I tried EVERYTHING under the sun!! Every over-the-counter stuff just plain didn't work. Some mornings, I used to litterly "pry" his eyes open with a warm wash cloth. He hated having to get his face washed every morning. So I went to the vet and asked (it was a lady vet) if she could do the same type of procedure that I used to have to do to my horses. What they do, basically, is run a tube thorugh the tear duct, and flush all the debris out! We used to call it "flushing out their tear ducts". I don't think she had ever done it, but she understood what I needed her to do. So, when I took him in for some teeth work, while he was seditated anyway, she did it. He has not had the problem again. Not to say that he'll never have it. I live in a very dusty area of CA, and sometimes I wish I could do it to myself!! It really sounds like a very ovasive procedure, when in fact it's more like blowing air or water thorough a clogged straw. The vet does have to knock them out, and there's always a fear of them not coming out of the anathesia, so it's not something that should be done just because the little guy has a runny eye. But if there's nothing else that works, it's a good opton.

There's also the possibility that his teeth are a problem. Have your vet check them first. Teeth that are a big problem with Yorkies. (Just an after thought)

Dear Suz,

Thank you very much for your input. I agree with you, I was only playing with the thought since I will have Simba neutered next month. I thought if the unclogging of the tear duct isn't very invasive, I would have it done at the same time. I wouldn't just have him put under anesthesia just for that. Hopefully he won't have to have any teeth pulled :(

Suz, was the tear duct swollen in any kind of way afterwards or did he act as normal?

Thanks,
Anita

If it really bugs you, I think that it's probably worth doing when they are going to be anesthetized anyway. But, like you, I doubt that I would subject them to anesthesia just to have this done. It may not completely eliminate the problem, but should help alot.

His tear duct was a little swollen, but she gave me an ointment (which he also hated!!) to put on twice a day. The swelling went away after about 3 days. His eyes were brighter and he sure felt a lot better!! Poor little guys don't know whats going on with themselves sometimes, but they sure figure out when something feels better!! You instantly become their hero!
Suz

P.S. He's the one sitting in the front row.