Annie 2021

Hello Gretel and Dogsfevr, I really appreciate your stories and experiences. I was moved by your story Dogsfevr and the encouragement, also Gretel your vet experience removing an eye. I have never thought of it before the last couple of days, but would never had thought that dogs could be better off without one of their eyes (and the pain!) Things might have turned a corner today. Over the weekend Annies internal medicine vet saw Annies eye and sent a picture to the ophthalmologist here in Jackson County, Oregon, who got us in today. They are doing a covid protocol so Dr. Bliss talked with us on the phone after examining Annie. She said Annie had a melting corneal ulcer and on a scale of 1-10 it was a 10. She told me there were 3 options 1) new procedure called "Corneal Collagen Crosslinking", 2) surgery and 3) removing Annie's eye. She suggested that we go with the Corneal Collegen Cross linking. This is a new procedure she is revolutionizing vet medicine. I asked her if it was her dog what she would do and she said 'Corneal Collagen Crosslinking'. The print out the Vet gave us said that the procedure results in corneal healing in 90% of patients in about 21 days. Ongoing follow up with the vet is essential. So that what we decided to do. She did say that if this doesn't work she would need to remove Annies eye. I asked her about Annies vision in her Left eye related to cataracts and she said Annie doesn't have cataracts, she has has some calcium thickening which she ordered a 2% EDTA gel for both eyes to help remove these calcium deposits. She said Annies vision in her left eye is ok. I hope we would not have to remove her right eye, but I ask Dr. Bliss if Annie could have a good quality of life without her right eye if it came to that and she said absolutely. The one thing This is similar to your experience Dogfevr and Gretel. I've never thought of it before, but agree that if that had to happen, we'd have to really consider if Annie would be a dog that could live with one eye comfortably. My sister has a 3 legged greyhound named Jazzy, she does really well and is a happy, delightful girl. Another friend had a lab who had cancer and the vet encouraged her and her husband to remove the leg, which they did, but she said Geronimo was demoralized. They later got another lab who got the same cancer and decided not to have his leg removed after what they saw happened with Geronimo. So each family and dog is different in the way they cope, I can see. I'll let you know how it goes over the next 2-3 weeks Em & Annie

Hello Gretel and Dogsfevr, That sure is encouraging. Annies problem is that she has cataracts in both eyes so likely she couldn't see at all. A friend suggested putting her down. I'm hoping that it won't have to come to that. We love her and don't want to lose her, until now even with her various issues, she seemed to be able to have quality of life. Em and Annie

Dogsfevr and other new friends who have responded here. I really do appreciate all your feedback. Annies situation has become even more worrisome. I fortunately had a follow up appointment with an Internal Medicine Vet regarding a meds reaction that Annie had 2 weeks ago. This woman/vet has alot of expertise and took a photo of Annies eye and sent it to a vet who is the local animal eye surgeon/eye specialist. She said was very concerned (she knows I am as well) about Annies ulcer...She arranged an appointment to see the specialist tomorrow which I am grateful for She described Annies eye as 'scary' and explained what typically the various treatments would be: 1) 4 kinds of drops every 2 hours for 2 weeks, 2) surgery 3) removal of the eye. Yikes. I don't understand how her ulcer could progress so quickly, just a matter of days. Have others had experience or knowledge of dogs having serious corneal ulcers and recovering? Any suggestions on what I can anticipate? The instructions I got today were not to feed Annie after 2am which indicates she may want to do a procedure tomorrow. Dogsfevr, how do you put drops in w/o holding the eye area? Thanks everyone. also, Persephone: I took your advice and got some chicken breast to give Annie everytime she gets drops Em & Annie

I appreciate everyone feedback. I will check with the Vet monday after the holiday, also giving her excellent treats is a good idea. Will do and I'm sure she will love it!! She loves food and treats. Also re: Dame Dannys Darlings thought that there's nothing worse than meds that taste terrible or hurt. She has to take Gabapentin that is liquid and bitter, The new compounding pharmacist said he could make it and add some tuna flavor to it. Was so happy to hear that. Em and Annie

Thanks for this suggestion. I will check with the the first of the week, I'm in the US in Oregon and everyone is on holiday. . Its day two now and she seems to only cry a short time, so maybe it will go away totally over the weekend. Interesting that you treat rabbits and guinea pigs. Would enjoy hearing more. thank you Em and Annie.

The drops that the vet gave her are Gentamicin Opth solution for the ulcer and Neo/poly/dex opth drops for the conjunctivitis. When I put the drops in her eye she crys and trys to wipe the drops from her eyes. I looked up the drops and they and they do seem to cause stinging for a minute or so. Does anyone have suggestions regarding this? does it get better as her eyes heal?

Hello and Happy New Year, My bichon Annie was diagnosed yesterday with a Corneal ulcer in one eye