Dog - leg amputated now eye problems

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy

Hello, first time poster in A&P.

I have wirey haired terrier aged 14 in May named Joey. At the end of November he had his leg amputated due to bone cancer which I was told could return, most likely in the lungs the vets have said.

Last Saturday I noticed his eye was very red and a red mark in the right corner if his left eye. The vet cannot see the cause as the eye hasn't cleared enough though she noted a very slight improvement. He's been on eyedrops for a week and as of today antibiotics, the vet has seen him 3 times this week and it was recommended for him to see a specialist. I think they said it was inside the eye, it doesn't look like cherry eye from pictures I've seen.

My dad doesn't like the idea, he thinks it's all money but I'd like to get an opinion on what's wrong. I know that it could be bad news given the recent history and I've lost nights of sleep worrying about him in general. I love him so much, helped me cope with the loss of my first dog who was born the same day as me and the only other one who was as upset as I was at that time. My mother is mad about him too, as is my dad but doesn't it.

Joey at the moment is still in such good form, eats well, excited to go for walks, playing with the pup, there's no difference to him before November and he coped unbelievably well to losing his leg, even the nurses were surprised.


In short - anyone had a similar experience with this kinda eye problem and going to specialists? I've not found anything like it online.
I've attached a photo if his eye.

aonb

He is so gorgeous.
Its so very upsetting to have a loved pet have age-related problems.
Cant help, but just wanted to say hes such a cutie, and fingers crossed you get sorted with him.

Millem

Sera wrote: »

Hello, first time poster in A&P.

I have wirey haired terrier aged 14 in May named Joey. At the end of November he had his leg amputated due to bone cancer which I was told could return, most likely in the lungs the vets have said.

Last Saturday I noticed his eye was very red and a red mark in the right corner if his left eye. The vet cannot see the cause as the eye hasn't cleared enough though she noted a very slight improvement. He's been on eyedrops for a week and as of today antibiotics, the vet has seen him 3 times this week and it was recommended for him to see a specialist. I think they said it was inside the eye, it doesn't look like cherry eye from pictures I've seen.

My dad doesn't like the idea, he thinks it's all money but I'd like to get an opinion on what's wrong. I know that it could be bad news given the recent history and I've lost nights of sleep worrying about him in general. I love him so much, helped me cope with the loss of my first dog who was born the same day as me and the only other one who was as upset as I was at that time. My mother is mad about him too, as is my dad but doesn't it.

Joey at the moment is still in such good form, eats well, excited to go for walks, playing with the pup, there's no difference to him before November and he coped unbelievably well to losing his leg, even the nurses were surprised.


In short - anyone had a similar experience with this kinda eye problem and going to specialists? I've not found anything like it online.
I've attached a photo if his eye.

I first noticed my dogs eye problems from a photo , you see the way only one eye looks green from camera (this is the good eye?), both eyes should go green from light and flash. My vet referred us to an eye specialist who diagnosed the problem straight away. They supposedly have more specialised equipment than normal vets. We treated the problem with our pet insurance but 6 months later she ended up developing another eye condition and losing her sight (nothing to do with eye specialist). She is totally blind and there is not a bother on her, she is so happy and gets medicine everyday so she is not in pain, in fact strangers don't realise she is blind at all!

ABajaninCork

He's a sweetie! Sending good doggy vibes Joey's way, and hope he feels better soon.

Student2014

Sera wrote: »

My dad doesn't like the idea, he thinks it's all money but I'd like to get an opinion on what's wrong. I

My dad is the same. Gave out to the mother for insuring our "old" ten year old dog.

Stand up for your doggie

boomerang

I honestly don't think it's all about the money. Sure your vet is not going to profit from a referral to an eye specialist.

He's an elderly boy, he's going to be hitting these bumps in the road. Eye conditions can be really painful and early treatment is often crucial as the eye is not an organ that repairs well. I'd take the referral, OP. I know of two vet eye specialists - one in Dublin and one in Limerick - they are both brilliant at what they do and very nice vets.

Millem

boomerang wrote: »

I honestly don't think it's all about the money. Sure your vet is not going to profit from a referral to an eye specialist.

He's an elderly boy, he's going to be hitting these bumps in the road. Eye conditions can be really painful and early treatment is often crucial as the eye is not an organ that repairs well. I'd take the referral, OP. I know of two vet eye specialists - one in Dublin and one in Limerick - they are both brilliant at what they do and very nice vets.

We went to the one in dublin

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy

Double thanks for all the posts

aonb wrote: »

He is so gorgeous.
Its so very upsetting to have a loved pet have age-related problems.
Cant help, but just wanted to say hes such a cutie, and fingers crossed you get sorted with him.

ABajaninCork wrote: »

He's a sweetie! Sending good doggy vibes Joey's way, and hope he feels better soon.

Thanks so much for your messages. I felt a bit better just writing the OP and wasn't expecting a positive reaction which is unbelievably helpful in itself, very much appreciated

Millem wrote: »

I first noticed my dogs eye problems from a photo, you see the way only one eye looks green from camera (this is the good eye?), both eyes should go green from light and flash. My vet referred us to an eye specialist who diagnosed the problem straight away. They supposedly have more specialized equipment than normal vets. We treated the problem with our pet insurance but 6 months later she ended up developing another eye condition and losing her sight (nothing to do with eye specialist). She is totally blind and there is not a bother on her, she is so happy and gets medicine everyday so she is not in pain, in fact strangers don't realise she is blind at all!

Thanks for your post Millem, the green eye is the better eye. Did your dog's eye look similar to Joey's? I wouldn't be worried about his sight at all really since dog's at old age normally have sight problems and he's a house dog, never goes anywhere unusual or unattended.
Does the medicine she's on for pain, make her different, like sedated?

boomerang wrote: »

I honestly don't think it's all about the money. Sure your vet is not going to profit from a referral to an eye specialist.

He's an elderly boy, he's going to be hitting these bumps in the road. Eye conditions can be really painful and early treatment is often crucial as the eye is not an organ that repairs well. I'd take the referral, OP. I know of two vet eye specialists - one in Dublin and one in Limerick - they are both brilliant at what they do and very nice vets.

Thanks boomerang. This is true, I want to bring the him to the specialist as I said, our vet is contacting the Limerick branch tomorrow and she said she would pass me on times ect, I just haven't any experience with them or even human specialists, rather there was actually some results.
I'm in Limerick City myself so I'm not too far away. Have you dealt with the Limerick eye vet before or just heard through other posts? I've seen one saying the lady in there was nice.

Millem

Sera she is on metacam everyday and had no side effects from it. She must be on it 3 years! She was getting it for her hips and back so thankfully never suffered any pain with her eyes. She actually got blood tests done this week and has no side effects from metacam. She is an old girl who turns into a puppy when she hears the word "dinner" or hears anyone going near the box of leads. There are loads of eye problems, her problem was cataracts and costs thousands (can't remember exact cost but more than €4000 for both eyes as we had to do it over 2 policy years). Surgery went perfectly but a few months after she got her second eye done she developed glaucoma and lost her sight in a few weeks. If the same happens to either of my younger dogs I will not bother going to eye specialist, she HATED the 2 days spent in for tests and the two weeks of the cone plus her eyes were sore after operation. Plus she is coping so well being blind (honestly you wouldn't tell by watching her). I agree with other poster at that age other problems develop, she has a few other problems but thank god her medicine is keeping her happy no harm in going to specialist for initial consultation, it is €100 for dublin one and I am sure he will be able to diagnose straight away (he is very good). It could be something minor you never know!

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy

Millem wrote: »

Sera she is on metacam everyday and had no side effects from it. She must be on it 3 years! She was getting it for her hips and back so thankfully never suffered any pain with her eyes. She actually got blood tests done this week and has no side effects from metacam. She is an old girl who turns into a puppy when she hears the word "dinner" or hears anyone going near the box of leads. There are loads of eye problems, her problem was cataracts and costs thousands (can't remember exact cost but more than €4000 for both eyes as we had to do it over 2 policy years). Surgery went perfectly but a few months after she got her second eye done she developed glaucoma and lost her sight in a few weeks. If the same happens to either of my younger dogs I will not bother going to eye specialist, she HATED the 2 days spent in for tests and the two weeks of the cone plus her eyes were sore after operation. Plus she is coping so well being blind (honestly you wouldn't tell by watching her). I agree with other poster at that age other problems develop, she has a few other problems but thank god her medicine is keeping her happy no harm in going to specialist for initial consultation, it is €100 for dublin one and I am sure he will be able to diagnose straight away (he is very good). It could be something minor you never know!

Wow! Joey is on metacam already, he had hip arthritis just a few months before his leg was removed and was recommended to keep him on it so I'm glad to hear that.
I'd prefer not to do another major surgery, it's too soon I think after the leg and as you said yourself, THAT CONE! Shaving our legs he was, kept getting caught running under the table.
Joe gets like that with the rattling of leads or plastic but often gets playful just for nothing with us or the pup.
I'll still go out to the specialist, at least I'll know and if it happens to any of my own or my siblings dogs I can say "well that time" and pass it onto the vets too to know whatever it is, what it might look like.

Millem

Sera wrote: »

Wow! Joey is on metacam already, he had hip arthritis just a few months before his leg was removed and was recommended to keep him on it so I'm glad to hear that.
I'd prefer not to do another major surgery, it's too soon I think after the leg and as you said yourself, THAT CONE! Shaving our legs he was, kept getting caught running under the table.
Joe gets like that with the rattling of leads or plastic but often gets playful just for nothing with us or the pup.
I'll still go out to the specialist, at least I'll know and if it happens to any of my own or my siblings dogs I can say "well that time" and pass it onto the vets too to know whatever it is, what it might look like.

I call metacam the magical drug because it does 101 conditions! She was on two types of eye drops aswell but they made no difference so we stopped them and we did a trial for a month of some very expensive supplements but again no improvement. If your dog is already on metacam I reckon the eye problem is not causing him in pain! My dog goes crazy with the cone and I think she rams into things on purpose to try and break it! I did bought surgery a when I was on hols from work as I was afraid she would strangle herself trying to pull it off! Just tell your normal vet to refer you to specialist (as I don't think you can just make appointment yourself!). When we went he had a waiting list (a few weeks but diabetic dogs get preference) but we were coming near renewal of our policy so we skipped the queue!
Sera it might not need surgery though you never know! Is eye bulging and red? Or just red? Is it cloudy?

boomerang

Yes it's Natasha Mitchell in Crescent Vets and I have brought my own dog to her and rescue cats as well. She's really lovely!

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy

Millem wrote: »

I call metacam the magical drug because it does 101 conditions! She was on two types of eye drops aswell but they made no difference so we stopped them and we did a trial for a month of some very expensive supplements but again no improvement. If your dog is already on metacam I reckon the eye problem is not causing him in pain!
Just tell your normal vet to refer you to specialist (as I don't think you can just make appointment yourself!). When we went he had a waiting list (a few weeks but diabetic dogs get preference) but we were coming near renewal of our policy so we skipped the queue!
Sera it might not need surgery though you never know! Is eye bulging and red? Or just red? Is it cloudy?

He's on eyedrops to clear the blood that's in it, it's slowly improving.
The vet will be ringing the specialist tomorrow so should hear more from her then. They weren't very happy about putting him through another major operation even though the last one went really well.
It's just reddy and there's a mark in the corner, it's not bulging out like cherry eye, it's like a discolouring in the eye.
I'll add another photo.

Millem

Sera wrote: »

He's on eyedrops to clear the blood that's in it, it's slowly improving.
The vet will be ringing the specialist tomorrow so should hear more from her then. They weren't very happy about putting him through another major operation even though the last one went really well.
It's just reddy and there's a mark in the corner, it's not bulging out like cherry eye, it's like a discolouring in the eye.
I'll add another photo.

He is so cute! Are the drops maxitrol by any chance? My dog had them and another one with a green label I can't remember the name! Is it just the white that is discoloured?

chocoroll

Ahhh poor doggie.. He does look very cute!
It could be that something damaged the cornea, en that became infected. Is he scratching his eye with his paws? Or does he rub his face gently on the ground? And the eye itself does it tear a lot?
There is a easy way to clean his eye before you give him his meds. Boil some water en make some camomile tea, let this cool down till its almost cold. This is the perfect way to clean (infected) eyes (works for cats, horses and other animals as well!). You can use this as often as you like.
Be careful with your own eyes, some infections can jump from animal to human. So make sure you wash your hands after!

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy

boomerang wrote: »

Yes it's Natasha Mitchell in Crescent Vets and I have brought my own dog to her and rescue cats as well. She's really lovely!

That's great to know! Thanks so much boomerang

Millem wrote: »

He is so cute! Are the drops maxitrol by any chance? My dog had them and another one with a green label I can't remember the name! Is it just the white that is discoloured?

I'm almost sure they are maxitrol. No it's the dark part as well, if it was just the whites, it would be conjunctivitis the vet said afaik.

chocoroll wrote: »

Ahhh poor doggie.. He does look very cute!
It could be that something damaged the cornea, en that became infected. Is he scratching his eye with his paws? Or does he rub his face gently on the ground? And the eye itself does it tear a lot?
There is a easy way to clean his eye before you give him his meds. Boil some water en make some camomile tea, let this cool down till its almost cold. This is the perfect way to clean (infected) eyes (works for cats, horses and other animals as well!). You can use this as often as you like.
Be careful with your own eyes, some infections can jump from animal to human. So make sure you wash your hands after!

No not with his paws but rubbing his head into the carpet or his bed, a bit more often than usual, he used to do it if we were playing and trying to deter him from it.
We've loads of all kinds of teas so I'll give it a go.
I always wash my hands after touching the dog in general, just a habit my mam got me into thanks for warning me though, I thought as much.

Millem

Sera wrote: »

That's great to know! Thanks so much boomerang


I'm almost sure they are maxitrol. No it's the dark part as well, if it was just the whites, it would be conjunctivitis the vet said afaik.


No not with his paws but rubbing his head into the carpet or his bed, a bit more often than usual, he used to do it if we were playing and trying to deter him from it.
We've loads of all kinds of teas so I'll give it a go.
I always wash my hands after touching the dog in general, just a habit my mam got me into thanks for warning me though, I thought as much.

I find maxitrol great for humans and dogs, I had them after my own laser eye surgery I reckon there is something more up than conjunctivitis. Is there any discharge coming for eye? (You get this with conjunctivitis). I bet the specialist will be able to diagnose straight away

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy

Millem wrote: »

I find maxitrol great for humans and dogs, I had them after my own laser eye surgery I reckon there is something more up than conjunctivitis. Is there any discharge coming for eye? (You get this with conjunctivitis). I bet the specialist will be able to diagnose straight away

No way, handy to know we can use it too.
I think so too, no discharge, it was just sleep or dark coloured from the eyedrop.
We have an app today for 4, just have to organize a lift.
Joey's eye is gone gold colour overnight

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy

couldn't make it out haven't any lift so we changed to Wednesday, hopefully it'll be okay til then

chocoroll

So how is he doing? What did the vet say?

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy

chocoroll wrote: »

So how is he doing? What did the vet say?

Thanks for checking up everyone asking for him today.
Still grand, he's in good form and the gold sheen seems to be gone.
I had to change app again to next week, my lift cancelled last night, I was fuming! He won't walk anywhere strange and I can't carry him that far and back.