Eye problems!

Discussion in 'Labrador Health' started by JulieT, Nov 10, 2016.

  1. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Charlie's eyes have always been a bit 'funny' - often slightly irritated. We had several bottles of ABs from the vet - made no difference. Have kept it under control by being really diligent about washing his face and eyes when he comes in from a walk. I suspect the London Plane trees and the dreadful pollen we get as it never seems as bad when we are not in London. It seems worse in the spring and autumn.

    Anyway, this year they have not been ok, they look a bit red and he has been rubbing them. So off to the vet's....got some drops to reduce the soreness, and some Apoquel. Plus they took blood to run some tests (apparently might help to confirm it's an allergy or not...).

    Hmm....well, I suppose it's better than just taking another bottle of eye drops that don't do anything. But we'll have to see if things improve. If not, then I suppose I'll ask for a referral to a specialist, but I'll give this programme a go first.
     
  2. Joy

    Joy Registered Users

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    Oh dear, it's been one thing after another with Charlie hasn't it. Hope the drops ease his eyes.
     
  3. Naya

    Naya Registered Users

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    Bless him. I hope you manage to get some answers x
     
  4. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    It's not too bad, really. Just this year a bit worse than normal and I don't want to leave it, thinking best not to mess about with eyes that don't look quite right.

    I'm a bit dubious about the blood tests showing up anything meaningful - but apparently they can show things about environmental allergies (but are a bit rubbish about food allergies). The vet didn't suggest they would show much more than whether or not we can suspect an allergy.

    I didn't mind having the blood tests done because Charlie's long suffering insurance company (bless them) will pick up the bill and Charlie is such a robust dog that having his leg shaved and blood taken is nothing to him (he just enthusiastically licked the vet nurse's ear throughout, delighted that she couldn't get away or stop him on account of her having to hold his leg - she thought it was a bit yucky, and was wiggling and trying to avoid his tongue, so that was even more fun).

    Hmmm...anyone got any experience of blood tests to detect allergies?
     
  5. Oberon

    Oberon Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Got no experience of that but I hope the red eyes go away.

    Obi needs steroids when he gets to the red eye stage (usually one tablet does the job).
     
  6. MF

    MF Registered Users

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    Sorry to hear. Hope his eyes get better soon.

    Just a note on shaving a leg to take blood - is this always done? I was surprised when a locum wanted to shave Snowie's leg to take blood and stopped her doing this as no other vet has done it (Snowie has had several blood tests). When I asked my regular vet about it, she said no need to shave the leg.
     
  7. Naya

    Naya Registered Users

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    We had blood tests done to see what Harleys food allergies were, but they threw up so many things it didn't help us.
    I bet Charlie was in his element having access to an ear that can't get away :cwl:
     
  8. Karen

    Karen Registered Users

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    I dont know anything about the blood test for allergies Julie, but I'll be interested to hear what comes of it. My daughter's puppy often has irritated eyes - I put it down to general pollution aggravation, but as you say it could also be allergies.
     
  9. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    I have long thought the problem is London and in particular the Plane trees, but even if so I'll have to find something that helps.
     
  10. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    It's easier to find the vein if you shave the fur but it can be done without. I'd rather he had a bit of fur shaved than a vet had to have a few goes with the needle. It's nothing, leg fur grows back in no time.
     
  11. MF

    MF Registered Users

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    Interesting. I wondered why.
     
  12. Stacia

    Stacia Registered Users

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    The last practice I worked for never shaved the leg, you find the vein by tapping it for the tension in it and then easily slip the needle in.
     
  13. mandyb

    mandyb Registered Users

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    My Pointer had blood tests for allergies many years ago, results showed loads of pollens both grass and tree along with foods. He had immunotherapy injections for the pollens over about 18mths and was fully cured, although there are a small percentage of dogs that they don't help. The foods we just eliminated from his diet altogether.
     
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  14. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Well, just driven him to Cornwall for the weekend - OH is convinced that sea air and plenty of sea swims is the answer. Charlie agrees - yes, yes, yes, he says, more walks and more swimming will sort out my eyes in no time. So he's been in the sea already. :rolleyes: Even though it's freezing.

    I'll continue with the drops and tablets anyway....
     
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  15. drjs@5

    drjs@5 Registered Users

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    Julie, human blood testing for allergies gets a bit of a bad rap really.
    It still gets done, but the "in vitro" (in a test tube) doesn't always relate well to "in vivo" (in the person/animal etc)
    Sometimes it can point to a sensitivity, but you generally have to be quite specific what you are asking of a blood test.
    Are there antigens in the blood to e.g. wheat? dairy? shellfish? - they look for a rise in the antibodies to specific proteins. You have to sort of have an idea before you do the tests.
    And then you cant really tell whether that is the full answer.

    I like Charlie's approach.
    Though beaches and sand usually make Lilly's eyes a bit gunky......
     
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  16. Lisa

    Lisa Registered Users

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    It will interesting to see if you come up with anything. In the interests of simplicity, since you say it's worse in London, I like hazard a guess that the pollution could be the cause. But as you say if they can pinpoint a specific cause that would helpful.
    At any rate, sea and walks seem like a good solution to me to:angel:
     
  17. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    They seem better already, but of course I don't know why - leaving London, the drops or the Apoquel. Charlie seems ok with beaches, they don't seem to make his eyes sore. I think it's the drops that are improving things, because his eyes are still a bit red and I notice an improvement after I put in the drops.

    If it's the pollution in London, is there a reason not to treat this (or at least the symptoms) as an allergy? I mean, lots of humans have to take anti-histamines in London, OH takes them everyday in Spring and Summer (although that's tree pollen related). Not that I know anti-histamines would help, although I think that's what Apoquel is - must google it.

    The vet didn't want to give Charlie steroids 'with his history'. I'm not quite sure what she meant by that - I'll ask when I go back for his check next week.

    I really don't mind if a vet wants to shave a bit of fur on Charlie's leg - it's just nothing. Charlie doesn't care, and I don't care. It would be different with a dog that minded of course, but as far as Charlie is concerned it's just more opportunity to eat sea biscuits then shove his slobbery, sea biscuit crumbed tongue in the vet nurse's ear. What's not to like?
     
  18. Stacia

    Stacia Registered Users

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    @JulieT, sea biscuits or any other biscuits cannot be eaten during induction of anaesthetic i/v, 'cos dog has to have empty stomach for an op :)
     
  19. drjs@5

    drjs@5 Registered Users

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    LOL
    I'm guessing Julie has this covered!
    Biscuits and treats are always on offer at our vets for vaccinations, bloods etc.
    Apart from once.......:eek:
    Lucky we always travel with our own supply :D
     
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  20. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Thanks Jac, saves me saying I didn't know that....:D:D:D

    Luckily, Charlie is also ok with just ears. :)
     

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