[aison]

Well, yet another genetic problem seems to have surfaced with our two puppies.

Sally's tear gland in her 3rd eyelid has prolapsed and it looks aboslutely horrible. When this first happened (months ago), we rushed to the vets because we didn't know what it was. We were told then it was just the 'T' piece cartlidge in her eye that had folded over. It went back in and everything was okay. Then it happened to Leia quite a few times, but her's seems to have gone back in and hasn't showed it's ugly head for a while (touches wood).

Last Wednesday Sally's popped back out and we thought we were just in for the normal put back in and it'll be fine procedure. It's now, 6 days later and the damned thing is still out. I hate it, it looks horrible!! We took her to the vets on Saturday morning and he gave us some cortisone cream and to try and help the inflamation, but it hasn't worked. If we massage it back in, it goes away, but comes back as soon as she exerts herself (playing, walking, running). I really prayed that we wouldn't need the operation, but it hasn't worked.

So now we are looking at the operation to help fix this problem. Issue is the cost, we are 3 weeks out from our wedding and that cost at this point in time is scary. BUT, if it means my little girl doesn't have that horrible red blob anymore, I'm willing to sacrifice the bar tab at the reception to have her eye fixed. I'd rather have her better than have people piss that money up against the wall.

Just wondering if anyone has experience with this operation and if it has cured the prolapsing? Seeming it's been prolapsed for the majority of 6 days now, we've resigned ourselves to the fact that it's not going to fix itself naturally and an operation is required.

Any suggestions, maybe even some type of remedies/advice that your vet has given you to help eleviate the problem? I know all the documentation says that it doesn't hurt them, but god it looks aweful!

Thanks in advance.

(... Erin)

(I've read the other two threads on this forum about this condition, but I'm more after opinions from people who have experienced the operation and any side effects from it.)

 

[vonny]

I had two pups with this condition many years ago.They both had the operation, had no after effects and it never happened to them again.It was a very quick simple op and they bounced straight back to normal.

 

[aison]

Thanks for that vonny, glad to hear that others have had the operation.

I phoned different specialists today to get prices on how much it will cost. They range in price from $600 - $1200.. plus consultation fees on top of that.

I didn't realise it'd be so expensive. One of them lets you have a payment plan which I think we'll have to go for.

Most of the places I've spoken to have said that if it happens in one eye, it will happen in the other. Has anyone had this condition happen in both eyes?

(... Erin)

 

[debannib]

I haven't experienced the problem you're having, but just wanted to offer my support during such a stressful time.

In my experience, these things ALWAYS happen at the most stressful time. Please keep us updated on the surgery and post-op progress.

Kisses to your girls. :angel:

 

[Genie]

Hi Erin, our standard poodle Coco had this condition many years ago. You're right it is so horrible looking. He was a year and a half when he came to us, so we don't know how long he'd had the problem, but it is genetic, as you say, according to the vet. Anyway, he had the surgery with no problems and no recurrances. The only side effect was that he had to wear an Elizabethan collar to keep from scratching the stitches out. As he was so big, he had to learn to go through doorways sideways!! But he was a very patient boy and did pretty well with his "lampshade."
Please give little Sally a hug for me, and good luck with your wedding plans!

 

[kgh]

When we pulled Megan from the pound almost 2 years ago she had Cherry Eye in her right eye. It looked like she was on the losing end of a fight. We took her to our Vet and it was an easy surgery. The prices you have been quoted seem a bit steep to me but I am remembering prices 2 years ago. The surgery went very smoothly. She had the stitches to keep things in place while they healed. We did not have to used the collar, but we are also home all day to head off problems. :nono5: Megan did have to have a Rx, drops I think, put in 3 times a day. She was not crazy about that, but we got so that we could put them in really fast and she hardly knew what was coming. I have always keep a close check on her eyes because of this and have not seen any recurrences or setbacks. If you have faith in your Vet and his skill, I would have it done if it were me.

 

[aison]

I have every faith in our vet, but because it's a specialist area, he refers us to another place.

We massaged it back in last night and it's actually stayed in all night last night and this morning. I'll be going home at lunch to check if it's still in. It hasn't stayed in this long since popping last wednesday, so we may be onto something here!

I'm aware that it won't fix the issue long term, but it will sure help us out if it waits another few months to come back again!

We will be getting the surgery done, it's just that it's at a really bad point in time now. I've made an appointment for her on Saturday morning with the specialist as they need to do a pre-surgery consultation to diagnose the eye and see if there are any pre-existing conditions that could have caused it.

We won't be able to go on Saturday though if it stays back in.. if it's not popped, they can't check anything!

Thank you everyone for your wishes and information, it's greatly appreciated. I didn't really need this stress on top of the stresses of the wedding, but she comes first no matter what. She sure has been getting lots of cuddles, kisses and tummy rubs. Poor Leia doesn't know why she's missing out /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

(... Erin)

 

[aison]

Cance that, it was out when I went home at lunch.

Is it an option to massage it in, put a patch over her eye and make it stay in for say 48 hours? Would this have a good or bad affect. My opinion is it will just annoy her even more, but Andrew thought this might be a good option to try.. Anyone done this?

(... Erin)

 

[angelaH]

Just want to wish you all the best with surgery, sounds like it is the only option on a long term basis. Also good luck with your wedding plans. :heart:

 

[aison]

Thanks so much for your good wishes, it means a lot.

Sally has now been booked in for next Thursday to have the operation done. We are going to a specialist rather than a vet as I want the best possible outcome for her. I think going to a specialist that deals with animal eyes everyday is her best possible chance.

They are even taking care of Leia all day so she's not home alone!! How cool /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif

I'll update you on her progress. Apparently part of her hair around her eye is shaved off, so she might not look as pretty in our wedding if everythings successful.

(... Erin)

 

[Genie]

Glad you were able to get her surgery scheduled so soon Erin. That should take a little pressure off you, knowing it's all set, and with a specialist too. Please give her and Leia a big hug from me!

 

[aison]

Well Sally's operation has been completed and she's recovering at home. Her 3rd eyelid a bit over her eye at the moment, but the specialist said it will die down in the next few days. She's a bit freaked out because the vision in one of her eyes is a bit obstructed, but other than that, she's fine. She came trotting out of the holding area to us in the waiting room last night. We were suprised, thought we'd be dealing with a heavily sedated dog, but we weren't.

The lovely specialist put her drip in her back leg so she would still look pretty in our wedding photos and not have a bare front leg /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

So, so far so good :happyhappy:

(... Erin)

 

[Murphys Dad]

Glad to hear all went well for Sally.

 

[Murphys Dad]

So glad to hear that Sally is doing well! I've often seen dogs whose owners did not have the surgery done and could never understand that.

 

[aison]

I couldn't believe it either, it was horrible to see her like that. I don't know how owners can let their dogs live with that gland prolapsed. Not only did it look horrible, she now has the biggest tear stain down the side of her face from it weaping all the time.

Any good tips for getting rid of the tear stains?

She's heaps better today, or normal Sally is back. Her pretty face is being displayed when ever there are treats around and she's wanting attention. Oh boy how we missed her pretty face /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif

(... Erin)

 

[Murphys Dad]

Erin -- glad to hear Sally's recovery is going smoothly. Maggie's eyes have been draining quite a bit lately -- no signs of infection and most likely due to allergies. I use toilet tissue most of the time and occasionally a warm, wet cloth -- just a gentle wipe (kind of a tender area). If you stay on top of it, there will be no permanent staining. I have seen "tear staining removal products" for sale in stores and catalogues and have not found the need for anything special. I see these products as more useful for owners of white coated show dogs.

 

[Murphys Dad]

I'm glad everything's going so well for your baby. :happyhappy: My Shadow had a problem with tear stains, and I did get a product that was supposed to help. I'm sorry I don't remember the name, but as I recall, it didn't help much anyway. Maybe the vet would know of something.

 

[aison]

Well, I just thought I'd update with some photos to show Cherry Eye in beagles and the end result after the operation. Sally has a lot of tears on that side, it's stained from before the operation and it now runs a bit, but apparently that's to be expected.

This is Sally after the operation.

The specialist actually pointed out to us that both our girls have different colour pigment in their 3rd eye lids which gives them that funny look when looking straight on. Their left 3rd eye lid is white pigmented, and their right 3rd eyelid has brown pigment at the edge. Apparently this is common in boxers and dogs that have two tones, but not so common in beagles. Anyone else have this same thing?

I just thought it would be interesting to have some photos here to look at incase anyone else comes on and searches cherry eye.

(... Erin)

This is what Sally thought of me taking all those pictures above:

 

[debannib]

:funnypost:

 

[Spencer's Mum]

Thanks for that, I actually laughed out loud. She has very droopy eyes to start with (like the bottom lid). Is that just because of the different breed of beagle? I have seen it in Bassets but my beagles don't have it. I think it's cute. Talk about being able to give you extra special puppy eyes. Maybe that is why I find your two to be so adorable. That and they just look squishy.