4 Year Old Staffy - Possible Cataracts :(

[WreckitWhippet]

Regardless of the results you need to book in and see a opthamologist now, your average vet will not be qualified or experienced to make a diagnosis.

[KokiBella]

Regardless of the results you need to book in and see a opthamologist now, your average vet will not be qualified or experienced to make a diagnosis.

I thought I needed a referral from the vet to see an opthamologist? Can I just make an appointment without the vet sending me there?

[Dogsfevr]

Showdog, I completely understand what you are saying - perhaps you haven't been reading my posts clearly?

I have said that we will be asking for a referral to a specialist, but that we are going to wait for the DNA test results to come back in first. I'm sure it will be beneficial to have the results before seeing the specialist, particularly if they come back saying she has hereditary cataracts. My question to nickojoy was purely a question as to whether or not his vet did pick it up or not.

I have read your posts correctly BUT i wouldnt be waiting for DNA results because cloudy eyes can be so many other things & reality is dealing with eyes is all about getting attention quickly.

You could wait for the results to come back & they are clear & then you will be scrambling to make an appointment which can sometimes be a long wait .

That time frame of waiting could make or break eye sight.

Having dealt with a number of dogs with varying eye issues i now that waiting isnt the best option.

But you must do what your happy with .

The eye specialist wont care about the DNA results because they are accessing the issue infront of them not the piece of paper

[KokiBella]

Ok, well I just called the specialist, I can only find two opthamologists in Victoria. The one that was still open and within 100kms of my house says that they wont see Koki until the vet agrees she needs to see the specialist because they will have to fax her history over to them. They suggested waiting for the DNA results and then making an appointment, the longest wait they have is 1.5 weeks so I will get the results and go straight to our vet with them and ask for a referral to the opthamologist. Should all be done within two weeks, maybe 3.

I must say I disagree about the specialist not caring about the results. Fair enough if they are all clear/negative for herditary cataracts, but if it comes back that she does have them then it would be quite relevant to the consult.

Thanks again for your comments though, it is appreciated hearing peoples perspectives - particularly considering this is new to us!

[WreckitWhippet]

Regardless of the results you need to book in and see a opthamologist now, your average vet will not be qualified or experienced to make a diagnosis.

I thought I needed a referral from the vet to see an opthamologist? Can I just make an appointment without the vet sending me there?

We can book straight in to our eye specialist in NSW

[Dogsfevr]

Ok, well I just called the specialist, I can only find two opthamologists in Victoria. The one that was still open and within 100kms of my house says that they wont see Koki until the vet agrees she needs to see the specialist because they will have to fax her history over to them. They suggested waiting for the DNA results and then making an appointment, the longest wait they have is 1.5 weeks so I will get the results and go straight to our vet with them and ask for a referral to the opthamologist. Should all be done within two weeks, maybe 3.

I must say I disagree about the specialist not caring about the results. Fair enough if they are all clear/negative for herditary cataracts, but if it comes back that she does have them then it would be quite relevant to the consult.

Koki our specialist when it comes to an issue at hand dont care about the DNA,they can tell what the issue is as they did before the DNA came about.

What our person cares about is a dog with an issue & dealing with that.

The animal eye clinic in Melbourne is great ,not sure what suburb but we used them last year

http://www.animaleyecare.com.au/aec/findus.html

These arent our normal people but we used them on a visit early last year for eye checks.

Our eye person also doesnt need a referral ,we must be lucky

Edited May 26, 2010 by showdog

[KokiBella]

Koki our specialist when it comes to an issue at hand dont care about the DNA,they can tell what the issue is as they did before the DNA came about.

What our person cares about is a dog with an issue & dealing with that.

The animal eye clinic in Melbourne is great ,not sure what suburb but we used them last year

That's who I called - I wont bother repeating my previous post but based on their advice we will wait for the DNA test, go back to our vet and then go and see them.