donski Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 I know you're not vets and its impossible to diagnose from a description, but just wondering if any of you and had any similar experiences/ outcomes? My mini bull terrier is 3yo and for the last 6 months has had a pus discharge from one eye only. The conjuctiva is red but he doesn't seem too bothered by it except for occasional squinting. I have to clear the crusty, pus stuff out 2-3 times /day. The vet put him on 3 different types of antiobiotic creams including prednisolone. After 6 months of this with no improvement, I suggested entropion (eyelid rolled in and lashes rubbing on cornea). Vet said it was a possibility but the eyelid would only be rolled in ever so slightly (although it only takes one or 2 lashes apparently to cause damage). He said it would be worth operating but there is no guarantee that this is what is causing the issue and he can't determine that by visual examination alone. A second vet has concurred with the original opinion. We've ruled out dry eye, grass seeds, ulcers. His eyesight is fine and not impacted at this stage. So do I go ahead and get him operated on and hope this fixes the issue or????? Any other ideas what it could be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 I suggest you go see an eye specialist ..I am sure someone on here knows one ..or ask at Werribee Uni vet clinic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Yup- it sounds like it will be quicker and cheaper to go and see a specialist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbreedlover Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 While this article may be of some help, a visit to an eye specialist would be recommended There are many conditions that predispose both Entropion and Ectropion. Foremost among these are congenital predispositions which can easily be passed on from parents to offspring. Other causes include aging, scarring, mechanical factors, nervous system disorders i.e. spasm, and allergic reactions. Ectropion is commonly seen in breeds of dogs with exaggerated facial appearance such as the Boxer, Basset Hound, Clumber Spaniel, Gordon Setter, Shih Tzu, Bulldog, Springer Spaniel, and Labrador Retriever. Giant breeds of dogs such as the Saint Bernard, Great Pyrenees, Mastiff, and Great Dane have also been observed to be predisposed to Ectropion. Although Entropion has been observed to affect most dog breeds, there are breeds of dogs which are more prone to the disease compared to other breeds such as the Chow Chow, St. Bernard, Poodle, Akita, Shar Pei, Springer Spaniel, Great Dane, Rottweiler, Bloodhound, Pug, Cocker Spaniel, Bull Mastiff, Labrador Retriever, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Since the lower eyelid is turned outwards in Ectropion, there is increased exposure of the delicate structures of the eye to developing hypersensitivity reactions or bacterial conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is an inflammatory condition of the thin membranes that line the eyelids and cover the surface of the eyes. There are also cases of Ectropion where dogs develop complications such as Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca as a result of the inefficiency at lubricating and cleaning the cornea of the eyes. Most owners of dogs suffering from Entropion will first observe that there is something wrong when the affected eye remains partially shut and is excessively tearing. Entropion is most common in dogs less than a year old. Both eyes are usually affected at the same time. Aside from the sagging of the eyelids, Ectropion in dogs is usually accompanied by a mucopurulent discharge from the affected eye. The exposed conjunctiva is also noticeably reddened and there is decreased capacity for tear production. Your veterinarian can conduct a Schirmer Tear Test to assess the tear production of the dog. Entropion is an uncomfortable condition where the eyelashes constantly rub against the cornea. When it occurs in both eyes, it is called as “bilateral entropion”. Treatment for Ectropion usually depends on the complications. Mild cases don’t usually need treatment however the presence of conjunctivitis may require treatment. Severe cases of Ectropion may need surgical intervention. Entropion in very young dogs two to three weeks old may be corrected by temporary tacking of the eyelids. Severe cases of Entropion may need surgical correction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Any condition with eyes that does not clear up in few days with normal vet treatment, needs to be referred to a specialist. I am astounded that a vet would treat an eye for 6 months and not send you to a specialist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifi Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 I wonder if it's Distichia ? where you have eyelashes growing INSIDE the bottom eye rim. Definately see a specialtist, anything like this can cause scarring on the cornea. fifi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 (edited) Any condition with eyes that does not clear up in few days with normal vet treatment, needs to be referred to a specialist. I am astounded that a vet would treat an eye for 6 months and not send you to a specialist. +1. I also wouldn't be doing a general anaesthetic for a 'maybe' cure. It also doesn't seem like a typical case of entropion- I am guessing it was the last diagnosis left standing? Rather than any actual evidence. I would have thought there would be ulceration with long term Entropion and Distichia?? (Happy to be corrected though.) Edited January 5, 2012 by Jumabaar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbreedlover Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 I know you're not vets and its impossible to diagnose from a description, but just wondering if any of you and had any similar experiences/ outcomes? My mini bull terrier is 3yo and for the last 6 months has had a pus discharge from one eye only. The conjuctiva is red but he doesn't seem too bothered by it except for occasional squinting. I have to clear the crusty, pus stuff out 2-3 times /day. The vet put him on 3 different types of antiobiotic creams including prednisolone. After 6 months of this with no improvement, I suggested entropion (eyelid rolled in and lashes rubbing on cornea). Vet said it was a possibility but the eyelid would only be rolled in ever so slightly (although it only takes one or 2 lashes apparently to cause damage). He said it would be worth operating but there is no guarantee that this is what is causing the issue and he can't determine that by visual examination alone. A second vet has concurred with the original opinion. We've ruled out dry eye, grass seeds, ulcers. His eyesight is fine and not impacted at this stage. So do I go ahead and get him operated on and hope this fixes the issue or????? Any other ideas what it could be? Also to add. Vets these days are well adverse to what entropian looks like. I cant quite understand why they didnt think of it. Your vet should of been able to diagnose entropian or refer you earlier. With 6 months of treatment and no result this needs attention. A visual examination should be able to see what the eyelids are doing. Is the dogs eye lid and immediate surrounding hair wet all the time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Go to a specialist. I know that Bull terriers of old could suffer from a dry eye condition and they quite often presented with pussy eyes that didn't clear up on antibiotics etc. We used to use Cyclosporin from memory along with other things. Not sure if it is much of an issue these days. Did the vet check his tear production(with a small white strip that gets placed into the lower eyelid that is a certain type of paper, then they measure how far down the wet area extends after a set amount of time) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 A lot of dogs have allergic conjunctivitis. We have some very good eye specialists here in Vic, Animal Eye Care and All Animal Eye Services being the two that spring to mind immediately. Could be a blocked tear duct also but if you are concerned it's probably time to just bite the bullet and get one of the big guns onto it. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karly101 Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Don't waste anymore time or money (where you may even have a wrong diagnosis) seek a specialist opinion. As mentioned we have a few in VIC and they are good and deal with this stuff every day. They have much more diagnostic equipment and should be able to provide you with some answers. After 6 months of treatment I hope your vet would have suggested this, eyes do need prompt treatment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donski Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 Thanks for all your advice - overwhelmingly you seem to be saying seek a specialist opinion, which I certainly will. Yep, they did the dry eye test and it was all clear. And no, his eyelids and surrounding hair are dry. Ok, well I better go find out then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miniluv Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 (edited) I would recommend a specialist, do you know his PLL Status? It's certainly worth a check with a specialist. Edited January 6, 2012 by miniluv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 (edited) Thanks for all your advice - overwhelmingly you seem to be saying seek a specialist opinion, which I certainly will. Yep, they did the dry eye test and it was all clear. And no, his eyelids and surrounding hair are dry. Ok, well I better go find out then. Well good that his tear production is normal. Definitely visit a specialist then. Good luck Edited January 7, 2012 by OSoSwift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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