OMG, Vegas needs surgery!

[NikkiSchoolcraft]

If his lashes really are rubbing his eye...this indeed can cause vision and infection issues. Entropian is very common. I agree there is no need for surgery unless he really needs it but what she said is technically true.

 

[Libra926]

That's what is causing Orion's ulcers...a lash scratching her eye. She's had 2 ulcers in the last 8 months. Same eye...same lash that grows back. Right now, when her eye starts to water...and she starts to blink, we take her in and the Dr pulls the lash.

 

[Fontanafox]

Wilson had entropian surgery on both eyes. He's also had cherry eye surgery. He had one eye sewed shut to heal a big eye ulcer. All this before he was a year old. He still needs drops at 3 yrs of age. Eyes are always a big concern for us but we're managing.
[MENTION=572]Libra926[/MENTION]..,Vet pulls the lash? My vet suggested lasering but only works 50% as they can grow back. Procedure expensive and needing specialist so we're just maintaining with eye ointment for now.


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[kazzy220]

Poor Vegas ... I would definitely get a second opinion!!! Oh and a new vet after reading this thread and your follow-up thread!!!

 

[malaviKat]

Oh wow... I really do feel for you. I know how scary it sounds and it seems that this unwelcome news from your new vet is only complicated by the fact that you have a vet you don't like. But don't worry...you and your baby will get through this.

Chance had some red eye issues earlier in the year and responded well to anti-biotic drops. Quite recently, however, I noticed his eyes were remaining red. Not goopy or anything - just red. (As an aside, my best friend is an optometrist and, while visiting one day remarked that he had conjunctivitis so she recommended continued use of eye drops daily). Anyway, I took him back into his vet last week and his vet said the same thing yours did - that he has entropion in both eyes (in one eye, top and bottom lashes) which would require surgery.

To be perfectly frank, while I know it sounds horrible and scary to hear that your dog can go blind from this, it is technically true so it is a cause for concern. But, as others have said here, get a second opinion. I am not convinced that Chance has entropion. I monitor his eyes regularly while cleaning his face and though I am no expert I don't see evidence of the lids turning inward. His bloodline (from what I can recall) has no history of entropion in it and his breeder is one of the directors for the Bulldog Club of Central Canada so (I would hope!) she's screened for that sort of thing. A couple of other (minor) things have made me consider switching Chance's vet so I've taken this as a great opportunity to seek a second opinion. We will get through this together!

In the meantime, his eyes have responded well to the gel drops.

P.S. I have read elsewhere (and if anybody could substantiate or refute this, please do!) that in some cases, entropion is not hereditary, but the result of situational allergens causing the eye to spasm and eventually fold. In that case, you can usually alleviate the problem via drops and removal of allergens. Anybody know how true that is? (I was reading generally about entropion in dogs and I think that statement was made regarding retrievers.)

 

[speechmom53]

KEEP IN MIND I WILL GET A SECOND Third with his eyes being so wet and making his face wet he has yeast, so she prescribed MalAcetic Otic solution to wash his face 2x a day with. Anyone used this??Read my post about "magic" stuff for yeast infection. This stuff is great!Second I would definitely get a second opinion. Tubs vet said his eyes are rolled in a bit, but she said they would keep an eye on him and surgery would be a last resort. Every once in a while he gets runny eyes that causes irritated tear stains, but that gets cleared up right away with the stuff you have been prescribed and with animax. Since it isn't consistent his vet thinks it may be allergies! Good luck and I hope you get better news from your second opinion!

 

[LucysMum]

Sorry to chime in here so late but you are getting good advice from the bully family.

Feel free to reach out to me any time with the eye issue thing. I have been to the specialist many times and I am seeking out the opinion of a second specialist(third opinion) just because my regular vet and my vet opthamologist have different opinions. I LOVE my regular vets--but they are always really concerned about Lucy's long term eye health. All they see is distichiasis (eyelashes) a slight ectropian and entropian. My opthamologist is keeping a watchful eye on Lucy and he is not really concerned about the distichiasis or the rolling of the lids. Dogs can live their entire lives with distichiasis and mild lid rolling with out problems(as long as the eye remains free of ulcers and irritation). Her biggest problem is her dry eye--which is an immune disorder that is controlled by eyedrops--probably for the rest of her life. Like others mentioned get another opinion--probably an eye specialist would be best. What is causing the wettness? If I had to guess it may be dry eye and not the rolling lids--but you need to find that out. A specialist will be the best route. My regular vet never mentioned dry eye--I don't blame him--he is not a eye specialist! He knew enough to send me to the great minds that would know! Get your buddy evaluated and you can determine a plan for the future. Lucy has had eye surgery--and may need another in the future. We keep an eye on that (no pun intended!)

Lucy has also failed allergy shots. We tried for about 8 months and she had several reactions to the medication--so we stopped. She is well controlled right now with a strict diet. She is also hydroxyzine twice a day. Sometimes she has 3 (on a bad day) but thankfully she has had more good than bad. We also administered the shots at home. Maybe that is something you may want to do if you restart the therapy. I never liked it--but got used to it. We bathe her more--especially in the summer (grass, pollen, mold). Also, we found giving her the hydroxyzine every day helped over the long term. If you give it here and there you will never really see any results. Lucy never got really drowsy like you explained--so that is something to discuss with the vet. Maybe you need to pull back the dose a bit.

I would also find a new vet. It is a shame because it sounds like this girl is really bright--but has a terrible bedside manner. Sorry you had to feel badly, especially when you are such a good pet parent.

Again--reach out to me anytime. Good luck. Big kisses to Vegas.

 

[sheshistory]

I have thought about this the past couple days and I wanted to contribute because I think I have been in a similar spot with Truman - when I received some very discouraging news about his hip issue - and I sort of blamed the messenger.

I'm not saying that's exactly what I think is going on here - I do not know - but I think that it's possible that receiving some very upsetting news from your new vet has created a disdain for her that is more rooted in fear and upset over Vegas than anything else.

I think it's great you're getting a second opinion and shopping around to find a vet you are more compatible with but consider that your former vet may have been giving Vegas allergy medication that could potentially hurt him in the long term and leaving an eye issue that could possibly cause blindness, undiagnosed. Even though he was a nice vet, is that good medicine?

I think you will be able to assess this much more clearly after you get another opinion but your new vet might have saved Vegas' vision and life by pointing out things she is concerned about.

I also completely understand regarding your feelings getting lectured about proper cleaning. I get it every single time I go to the vet - despite efforts to bring the boys in clean - they seem to develop ear wax in the car ride over. So I get a lecture about keeping ears and wrinkles clean and yes, it can be annoying but I'd rather have a vet that is dedicated to advocating for my bullies than one who would let a dog with dirty wrinkles walk in and out with nothing said.

I hope this makes sense and I know how upsetting it is to get bad news about your baby but your new vet, depending on how this plays out, might have done you and Vegas a big favor by addressing these issues now before something bad happens.

Big hugs to you and Vegas.

 

[laurendoodler]

Man, that's a lot of bad news to get at once. *big hugs*

She doesn't entirely sound like she knows what she's talking about. I hate to kind of coin her without knowing her..but from what you've said, it just seems like that.

I would definitely get the 2nd opinion, hell, maybe even a 3rd. It's not something to be taken lightly, as you already know.

 

[nyerathrt]

Titan had both of his eyes done...think of it as an eye lift for dogs.....very minor surgery....a small slit under the eye...where we would have shadows and bags...they take a small piece out and a couple of stitches and boom...a week in a cone with sad bullie faces and they r good to go...

 

[cowsmom]

oh so how is vegas doing? i was just wondering if you had gone to get the second opinion yet [MENTION=900]KMARINO[/MENTION]

 

[Chunksmama]

Ok I'm a little late to this one ... I can give you my take on the entropion. We did the surgery for both of Chunk's eyes - lower lids only. My vet recommended it (after about three rounds of infected wrinkles from the tearing and also three rounds of tests for tear production and ulcers. I found that I was spending so much money just checking his eyes, the surgery became a consideration. Plus he always seemed uncomfortable! So I took him to NY to "THE Bulldog vet". He agreed that surgery was necessary because of his obvious constant discomfort - even with the drops/ointment. He made a good point too - we don't know HOW MUCH it hurts them plus they really resent us giving them those drops. That's of course, all par for the course with bullies - most of them don't like any of their daily maintenance. . Anyway, he gave me the name of an eye specialist and he was FANTASTIC! He did the surgery and Chunk is like a new doggie now. . It's amazing the difference - even his groomer could see it in his demeanor by the next visit after surgery.

I know how absolutely scary surgery is - and we hate to do it if not necessary. So take your time and decide what is right for your baby. There is no rush!


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[JeannieCO]

Poor Vegas . Just wanted to send my thought to you and Vegas hoping that everything turns out good for him.

 

[boomsboo]

Looks like you got a lot of advise.. I agree with everyone else. I'd get a second opinion! Tank sends hugs to Vegas! Poor guy

 

[GatorRay]

Oh, poor Vegas! And poor momma too . Yes, we are going through this with Gator right now. I have to say, go to a pet Opthalmologist!!!! No joke. I won't trust Gator's eyes to a regular vet. We will only go through a specialist. Mine is great and doesn't cost more than the vet and I was pleasantly surprised at the quote he gave us for the surgery. He is very cautious and wants to make sure it won't correct itself when his head fully matures. There have to be several in the Tampa area. I wouldn't trust a "new" vet, even if she is just new to you. I saw pictures of surgeries where they took too much and it is soooo worth it to seek out someone who specializes in eyes. Seems strange he hasn't had many problems and they are just now pointing this out.....