|
Post by echandler on Jun 30, 2015 8:57:49 GMT -5
We had our girl for about 6 months and her health was fine (she is 3 years old, spayed). Approximately 2 months ago we took her to the vet’s to get her teeth professionally cleaned and it seems that she started having problems from that point on. About a month and a half ago we noticed she was itchy around her yes (tear duct area and side of mouth) and there was a small bump in the tear duct area. We took her to the vet who prescribed an antibiotic ointment, told us to administer the ointment straight into the eye for about 2-3 weeks and it should clear up. However, she started getting more itchy and the sore seems to have enlarged – we took her to the vet yet again and were prescribed oral antibiotics and oral steroids for the itchiness.
We completed the treatment of both antibiotics and steroids and she seemed to have been getting better (the sore has healed). But we took her off the meds, she started getting itchy again and the sore is back. Again, we went to the vet who pretty much told us that they don’t know what is wrong (might be a food allergy – we feed her Acana and have discontinued giving her any treats). They recommended we take her to a doggie dermatologist, the closes one is in Guelph and it takes several months to get in. The vet recommended we keep her on steroids for the itchiness in the meantime. I do not feel comfortable giving her steroids for months at a time, especially since she already had side effects (excessive shedding; lack of appetite).
In addition, I am really concerned that the vet doesn’t; know what’s wrong – it’s seems wrong to keep shoving meds into her when no cause has been identified. I am really concern – does anyone know what might be causing this or has anyone encountered a condition like this before? I have pictures but they seem to be too big to upload
|
|
laara
Junior Grey Lover
Posts: 112
|
Post by laara on Jul 1, 2015 19:56:47 GMT -5
Honestly, I think I'd be seeking a second opinion. It sounds like your vet may not know what the problem is. Have they taken any scrapings/ samples for testing? I would recommend contacting Dr. Quinn. He is a veterinary eye specialist located north west of London. Sorry I don't know where you're located, hopefully not too far. The website is www.theeyevet.comWe went to him when my boy Slappy was diagnosed with glaucoma. He is very knowledgeable and I felt very comfortable with his diagnoses. It's not cheep when you have to go to a specialist but once you have an idea of what is going on there may be support through your regular vet to maintain or see a cure. I would suggest using colloidal silver spray for now and see what happens with that. It is amazing stuff and I used it on Slappy's incision after his eye removal and it helped with the healing immensely. I also use it for first aid for humans as well . Please let us know how you make out. Sending healing thoughts for your girl.
|
|
|
Post by tobysmom on Jul 2, 2015 5:43:01 GMT -5
Echandler, Sorry for the late reply. I posted your problem on our GRA Canada Facebook page, as most people have moved to that site. One of our members asked a vet friend about sore tear ducts and this was his reply, Susan Isaacs I got a vet reply. I can't find her question on the forum. I only have my phone and I'm away so it's tedious. Laura Meneok could you direct me or copy my friend Tom, the vet's answer. It follows ... Hey Susan! Well sores on the tear ducts is a pretty common problem in a lot of sighthounds. A good place to start is tear gel (tears naturale PM) to help lubricate the eyes. In some dogs I'll recommend polysporin eye drops, but since greys are sensitive to a lot of things I'd probably hold off. Likely will need some medicated eye drops from the vet. Good news is most heal up really well with minimal fuss One of the other suggestions was to try Colldial Silver. Laara's suggestion about going to www.theeyevet.com sounds like a good one too. I hope you find an answer soon. Good luck in your search, and best wishes to your little girl. Hope she gets better soon.
|
|
|
Post by grey333 on Jul 2, 2015 6:53:16 GMT -5
Finally, found your original post echandler. Looks like you've already tried the things my vet friend recommended. I thought it was a new problem but it's been going on for some time. I would agree about Dr. Quinn and CS.
|
|
Midge
Grey Lover
Posts: 891
|
Post by Midge on Jul 2, 2015 7:02:26 GMT -5
I'm going to fourth laara's suggestion of booking in to see Dr. Quinn. While we've never had to use his services I've heard really good things about him from people who have. Absolutely nothing wrong with getting a second opinion from another vet either.
|
|
|
Post by echandler on Jul 2, 2015 10:29:54 GMT -5
Thank you so much for your replies!! I will try and make a booking with Dr. Quinn - I just want my little girl to be ok as soon as possible We did try antibiotic ointments (starts with an I, forgot the full name) but I didn't see much improvement there. We haven't tried drops or colloidal silver - I will try the drops (non-medicated) as recommended, in the interim, until we get in with the doctor. We live in south London so the location is not very far. Do you but the colloidal silver spray at the pet stores or shoppers drug mart? Sorry, not sure where to get this. Once again - thank you so much for your support It felt nerve-racking going through this process when the vet didn't seem to know what to do. Hopefully we will get this resolved now. Should you come up with any additional suggestions, please feel free to contact me at iva.chandler@gmail.com. Eva
|
|
|
Post by echandler on Jul 2, 2015 10:35:33 GMT -5
@ laara - sorry - didn't see your full question -no, the vet did not take any scrapings or samples. I asked about that and they felt it was not necessary, saying it might be a food allergy (I doubt that)
|
|
|
Post by echandler on Jul 2, 2015 10:48:49 GMT -5
So, I just talked to our vet and asked for a referral to Dr. Quinn and she is telling me that this is most likely not an eye/eyeball issue but a dermatological issue and wants to refer me to a dermatologist. Honestly, I don't care which specialist it is as long as they can give us a diagnosis and start the treatment. Any thoughts? Could this be a skin issue?
|
|
laara
Junior Grey Lover
Posts: 112
|
Post by laara on Jul 2, 2015 12:41:57 GMT -5
If you don't mind my asking, which vet do you go to and how experienced are they with greyhounds? When we first got Slappy, we were going to a vet recommended by a friend but they weren't very well versed on greyhounds as a breed and I found that played a big part in his treatment when he was ill. We have switched to a different one now and they are much better with the breed. I have to agree that it isn't likely a food allergy as they usually present with a more widespread rash or digestive issues. That being said, food may play a part in it. I have bought my Colloidal Silver a different places. Usually online but you can get it at the health food stores in town, or try calling pet food stores, I know that The Natural Paws Pantry in north London usually stocks it in different sizes.
|
|
|
Post by tobysmom on Jul 2, 2015 14:32:03 GMT -5
I too was looking for Colloidal Silver and again a post from FB from not too long ago. You can find it Health Food stores and you are looking for Ionic or nano silver. Most be 10ppm. See lower post.
Karen Ward I've tested ours and it's still the same potency a year later, I stopped testing after that. You can find colloidal silver in any health food store, the farms stores carry it too.Look for 10ppm. Make sure it's colloidal/ ionic or nano silver. The larger particles are no good to ingest. It should be clear or very slightly gold, you should not be able to see any silver particles. June 14 at 2:07pm · Edited · Unlike · 3
There is a vet named Dr. Couto that the Hamilton Greyhound group talks about often. He is leading the charge on cancer research in greyhounds. He has a website and will answer questions via email. You could try and send him an email outlining your problems. I have heard of several owners who have and have gotten replies.. He is very highly regarded in the greyhound community. I will try and find the information and post.
|
|
|
Post by tobysmom on Jul 2, 2015 14:41:32 GMT -5
Try this website. second opinion email information is lower down on the first page. www.coutovetconsultants.comThe Greyhound Alliance group recently sponsored him on a speaking engagement in the Guelph area and the GLOWH (Greyhound Lovers. Of Hamilton Wentworth) people are always talking about him. Good luck and I hope you find some answers soon.
|
|
|
Post by echandler on Jul 4, 2015 8:14:26 GMT -5
Thank your for the information, I really appreciate it. We use the vet clinic on Comissioners Rd E in London. Southside animal clinic. I reviwed a few before signing up but none stood up in terms of greyhound expertise. We signed up for rhis one as it was closest and the hours of operation were good. That being said, if you have information on a clinic that is more greyhound friendly I would certainly consider switcing. London or surroundong area.
Also, thank you for the link to the vet, I will certainly follow up. In the meantime I had her in fish oil to help with the coat, hopefully that is not harming her.
|
|