Rocket's bad eye :( U/D #8 Good news!

Rocket went to the vets last Tuesday as his left eye was all inflamed. This happened fairly suddenly although he's always had a faded spot on his left cornea (but this never caused him any problems before). The vet out him on a course of eye drops (2 drops every 4 hours), oral antibiotics (twice a day with food), and Metacam for the pain (once a day with food).

6 days later (today) he went back for a check up. Not good. The inflammation around the eyelids has gone down significantly but the cornea itself hasn't improved at all. The vet said that we could either see an eye specialist, or have the eye removed.

I'm totally in two minds. Rocket does NOT do well at the vets, and all these appointments where they flood his eye, put dye in it, and generally manhandle him somewhat gets him very stressed out. On the other hand, surgery frightens me as he's about 6-7 years old and I've no idea how he'll cope with that.

Does anyone have any advice please? Thanks.

AMETHYST

What's the fundamental cause to begin with? Anyhoo, for the time being, you can buy this product in SF called Allergan, Refresh Celluvisc. It's natural tear eye drop. I've been using it for 10 yr. because I have dry eye. It's not a medication so you can drop 1 to 2 drops every 12 hr., use it up w/i the 24 hr. time frame and disposed it. It just makes his eyes more comfy.

As to surgery, does he do well under GA in the past? What's the last time he was under a GA? The truth is, I was in this situation w/ my bridge bun Goofball. She had dental problem, and due to complication post-surgery, she passed away 3 days later. You just have to make sure your bun, being put under a GA to a min. amt. of time only.

That is, make sure there is no other unneeded procedure for things as simple as trimming the nail, and take a chance on him coming out okay. There isn't a lot of choice, having said that, it's no difference than human in any case.

Poor Rocket

Is it a corneal ulcer ? If so rather than removal of his eye an op to stitch the eyelids together could maybe be attempted. This can promote corneal healing but I guess it would depend on what has caused the problem in the first place :?

I am wondering if what you are describing is Uveitis rather than a corneal ulcer? The 'white spot' may be EC related and this can result in Uveitis. It can be managed with a steroidal eye preparation such as Maxitrol. But this cant be used whilst their is infection with a purulent discharge.
Without actually seeing his eye (could you post a piccie?) its difficult to offer advice but I think I would opt for the referal to an Opthalmic Specialist before contemplating removal of his eye :?

Please keep us updated

i would definatly see a more expeirianced vet or an eye specialist. as when i researched spots in eye(stitch has one) it could be many htings as jane has already said. i do think if you can treat the eye first that is the way to go then after that think removal if neccasery.

Thank you everyone, we're going to see the eye specialist tomorrow morning at 9am (still 11 hours away for us!). I will let you know what they say, and what our options are.

Thanks again!

AMETHYST

Amethyst said:

Thank you everyone, we're going to see the eye specialist tomorrow morning at 9am (still 11 hours away for us!). I will let you know what they say, and what our options are.

Thanks again!

AMETHYST

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Sending vibes

Awwwww sending lots of vibes. XXXXX

Rocket has just returned from the eye specialist. They checked for glaucoma (negative), they dyed the eye with a fluorescent stain, and looked at it under microscopic goggles. The conclusion is that the corneal infection is only "superficial" and can be successfully treated with stronger antibiotics.

They gave me different eye drops, and also a paste which is a bit like vaseline and will coat the eye longer-term than the drops, to help clear up the infection - both these need to be given every 8 hours. I still need to give him the previously prescribed oral antibiotic twice daily and the metacam once daily. They want to see him again in a week for an update but they say the prognosis is very good.

Thanks for all your thoughts and support!

AMETHYST

Amethyst said:

Rocket has just returned from the eye specialist. They checked for glaucoma (negative), they dyed the eye with a fluorescent stain, and looked at it under microscopic goggles. The conclusion is that the corneal infection is only "superficial" and can be successfully treated with stronger antibiotics.

They gave me different eye drops, and also a paste which is a bit like vaseline and will coat the eye longer-term than the drops, to help clear up the infection - both these need to be given every 8 hours. I still need to give him the previously prescribed oral antibiotic twice daily and the metacam once daily. They want to see him again in a week for an update but they say the prognosis is very good.

Thanks for all your thoughts and support!

AMETHYST

Click to expand...

Thats great news Liz
Sounds like you have some good Veterinary Care over there !!

:wave: