Dolcina continues to have eye problems

3280 Views 21 Replies 11 Participants Last post by uniquelovdolce, Aug 16, 2010

Piccolina

Discussion Starter · Aug 14, 2010

:tender:My sweet pup Dolcina continues to have eye problem.

I have been taking her to the Vet for the last 3 weeks. He has done several tests called Schirmer Tear Test and he suspects that she has what is called
KCS which is Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, which is : immune-mediated destruction of the tear-gland tissue, in other words the eye does not produce tears and consequently it inflames the cornea, which in turn creates the gooey mucus eye discharge.

This may be a life long condition which makes me very sad :smcry:

Does anyone here have any experience with KCS and if so, is it curable?

The Vet gave me a whole article on this matter from "VeterinaryPartner.Com"
it says that...... "blindness can result".

So now, at age 3, not only she has Thyroid condition, she will probably have this latest health condition too.

And Dolcina was a puppy who was breed supposedly without any health issues.......:angry::exploding:

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Nikki's Mom

· #2 · Aug 14, 2010

So sorry your baby is going through this. It's very hard when our doggies have health problems.

It's a hard truth, but unfortunately, no one can guarantee zero health issues for any puppy from any breeder. Every dog is an individual with unique DNA. I knew a stray mutt who ate from trash cans for years, finally taken in by someone. That dog had NO health issues and lived to be 21 years old. Then there are puppy mill dogs who have no health issues. And puppies from top show breeders who are totally healthy.

Then there are dogs from good breeding lines who have health issues. We just don't know. There are no guarantees when we take a dog into our home and our lives what will happen with their health. Thank goodness you are able to take care of your baby and her problems.

k/c mom

· #3 · Aug 14, 2010

Piccolina said:
:tender:My sweet pup Dolcina continues to have eye problem.

I have been taking her to the Vet for the last 3 weeks. He has done several tests called Schirmer Tear Test and he suspects that she has what is called
KCS which is Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, which is : immune-mediated destruction of the tear-gland tissue, in other words the eye does not produce tears and consequently it inflames the cornea, which in turn creates the gooey mucus eye discharge.

This may be a life long condition which makes me very sad :smcry:

Does anyone here have any experience with KCS and if so, is it curable?

The Vet gave me a whole article on this matter from "VeterinaryPartner.Com"
it says that...... "blindness can result".

So now, at age 3, not only she has Thyroid condition, she will probably have this latest health condition too.

And Dolcina was a puppy who was breed supposedly without any health issues.......:angry::exploding:

I don't think anyone can breed a dog and guarantee ... "without any health issues". Dogs are living creatures and there is no way anyone in this world can guarantee what health issues they may acquire. Yes, responsible breeders remove from their breeding program parents who produce genetic diseases but of course it can still happen. It seems like your expectations are not realistic.

I'm really sorry your Dolcina has this eye problem and hope it can get under control soon and that it will not cause her any permanent issues, etc.

njdrake

· #4 · Aug 14, 2010

I'm so sorry you're having health issues with Dolcina. I know you must be worried sick after reading this condition can cause blindness but we'll all pray it doesn't and that you with the help of your vet will be able to get this under control. This is the first I've heard of KCS so I'm no help there except for sending well wishes and prayers.
How is she doing with the thyroid condition? Has she lost any of the weight she gained? I'm so glad you have Dolcina and are addressing her problems. She's a lucky girl to have such a loving and attentive mom.
I agree with Susan and Sher that there are no guarantees with their health no matter where you get them. There are well bred dogs with health issues the same as poorly breed dogs. There are poorly breed dogs that are healthy and live a long life the same as well breed dogs. All we can really do is love them and take care of any issues that come up. You're doing a great job at that!
Please keep us updated and know that we're all praying for a good outcome for your Dolcina.
:grouphug:

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Ladysmom

· #5 · Aug 14, 2010

Lady has had KSC/dry eye for several years now. There are tear stimulators that can help some dogs produce their own tears. Cyclosporin didn't work for Lady, but Tacrolimus has been like a miracle drop for her. I also use artificial tears (Genteal Severe Eye) 6 times a day.

There is even a surgery available now where a salivary gland is rerouted to the eye.

You really need to ask your vet for a referral to an ophthalmologist IMO.

KCS (Dry Eye)

Piccolina

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 14, 2010

Ladysmom said:
Lady has had KSC/dry eye for several years now. There are tear stimulators that can help some dogs produce their own tears. Cyclosporin didn't work for Lady, but Tacrolimus has been like a miracle drop for her. I also use artificial tears (Genteal Severe Eye) 6 times a day.

There is even a surgery available now where a salivary gland is rerouted to the eye.

You really need to ask your vet for a referral to an ophthalmologist IMO.

KCS (Dry Eye)

:ThankYou: Ladysmom for the very important information you gave me
and thank you to all the ladies for your support you are giving me.:smcry:

I just called my Vet and left him a message (it's Saturday and his clinic is closed) but I left a message that I wanted to stick with the Tacrolimus medication rather than trying anything else (since we already know it works wonders for Lady).

The Vet was going to order "some" medication for me and let me have it on Monday, but I want the one that Lady is taking and that works for her.

In the meantime Dolcina:tender: started her Thyroid medications: initially we gave her 1/2 a tablet, but her heart started racing too fast

so I took her back to the Vet, we took some x-rays, everything was fine:thumbsup: with her. So the Vet determined that we should only give her 1/4 of a tablet.

However, she has not lost any weight yet:blink: and her appetite is the same.
So I don't know how long it takes for the medicine to start affecting the system:huh:

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Ladysmom

· #7 · Aug 14, 2010

Cyclosporin is the one vet's usually start with. Tacrolimus is fairly new and your regular vet may not even know about it. It has to be compounded. I get it through Lady's ophthalmologist. You can it it from Drs. Foster & Smith, too.

Tacrolimus Ophthalmic Solution (Compounded)

Again, I would really recommend getting a referral to an ophthalmologist. If Dolcina does have KCS, she will be prone to ulcers and eye infections. Our regular vets just don't have the training and equipment to diagnose and treat most eye problems.

Piccolina

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 15, 2010

Ladysmom said:
Cyclosporin is the one vet's usually start with. Tacrolimus is fairly new and your regular vet may not even know about it. It has to be compounded. I get it through Lady's ophthalmologist. You can it it from Drs. Foster & Smith, too.

Tacrolimus Ophthalmic Solution (Compounded)

Again, I would really recommend getting a referral to an ophthalmologist. If Dolcina does have KCS, she will be prone to ulcers and eye infections. Our regular vets just don't have the training and equipment to diagnose and treat most eye problems.

I am very pleased:aktion033:to say that my Vet called me back on my emergency message (Saturday) and confirmed to me that indeed, he did order the TACROLIMUS compound (and not the Cyclosporine), and he will have it ready for me by Monday.

You mentioned that I can get it also from Drs. Foster & Smith: will I need a prescription from my Vet

? It will be interesting to see how much it costs through the Vet and how much through Drs. Foster & Smith

I have to make a positive:rochard: comment in regards to my Vet: he is a young Vet and very knowledgeable: he was able to do all the exams necessary in his clinic and immediately and without hesitation determined that Dolcina has KCS condition.

jmm

· #9 · Aug 15, 2010

Some Tacrolimus suspensions are in a corn-based oil emulsion. Some dogs can be allergic to this.

Ladysmom

· #10 · Aug 15, 2010

Piccolina said:
I am very pleased:aktion033:to say that my Vet called me back on my emergency message (Saturday) and confirmed to me that indeed, he did order the TACROLIMUS compound (and not the Cyclosporine), and he will have it ready for me by Monday.

You mentioned that I can get it also from Drs. Foster & Smith: will I need a prescription from my Vet? It will be interesting to see how much it costs through the Vet and how much through Drs. Foster & Smith

I have to make a positive:rochard: comment in regards to my Vet: he is a young Vet and very knowledgeable: he was able to do all the exams necessary in his clinic and immediately and without hesitation determined that Dolcina has KCS condition.

KCS is very easy to diagnose with a Schirmer Tear Test by a general practice vet. Your vet can tell that Dolina isn't producing enough tears, but he doesn't have the equipment to know why. For instance, some dogs are born with under developed lacrimal (tear producing) glands. Tear stimulators will not work in those cases.

I recommended having Dolcina under the care and supervision of an ophthalmologist since dogs with KCS are prone to complications like ulcers and infections. Lady has had uveitis which is a very painful inflammation in the inner eye. Tear stimulators like Tacrolimus can actually cause eye infections since they interfere with the normal immune reaction. Lady had an infection last year that had penetrated her cornea slightly. Fortunately, we caught it very early and, thanks to the wonderful opthamologists at the vet school, we were able to clear it up without surgery.

Dogs with KCS build up scar tissue to protect the eye that can eventually cause blindness. After dealing with KCS for about three years, I absolutely believe it is a condition that should be monitored by an ophthalmologist.

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Ladysmom

· #11 · Aug 15, 2010

I just got a pm from a member on another forum whose little Yorkie was recently diagnosed with KCS. Cyclosporin didn't work for him and poor Cooper got an eye ulcer. She took him to the vet school at the University of Pennsylvania and they are starting him on Tacrolimus. The ophthalmologist told her they have a new T cell inhibitor that will soon be available if Tacrolimus doesn't work. That's exciting news!

Piccolina

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 15, 2010

Ladysmom said:
KCS is very easy to diagnose with a Schirmer Tear Test by a general practice vet. Your vet can tell that Dolina isn't producing enough tears, but he doesn't have the equipment to know why. For instance, some dogs are born with under developed lacrimal (tear producing) glands. Tear stimulators will not work in those cases.

I recommended having Dolcina under the care and supervision of an ophthalmologist since dogs with KCS are prone to complications like ulcers and infections. Lady has had uveitis which is a very painful inflammation in the inner eye. Tear stimulators like Tacrolimus can actually cause eye infections since they interfere with the normal immune reaction. Lady had an infection last year that had penetrated her cornea slightly. Fortunately, we caught it very early and, thanks to the wonderful opthamologists at the vet school, we were able to clear it up without surgery.

Dogs with KCS build up scar tissue to protect the eye that can eventually cause blindness. After dealing with KCS for about three years, I absolutely believe it is a condition that should be monitored by an ophthalmologist.

Here is my little fluff: I am looking at her and thinking: why did it have to happen to her? Where do I start with treatments? I am totally caught by surprise that she has this health problem and that health problem....

I thought, that after I lost my Piccolina last September to lymphoma, that I would start fresh with a new puppy...but here I am again dealing with a pup who will have illnesses at such young age, how sad.

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3

Snowbody

· #13 · Aug 15, 2010

Piccolina said:
Here is my little fluff: I am looking at her and thinking: why did it have to happen to her? Where do I start with treatments? I am totally caught by surprise that she has this health problem and that health problem....

I thought, that after I lost my Piccolina last September to lymphoma, that I would start fresh with a new puppy...but here I am again dealing with a pup who will have illnesses at such young age, how sad.

Sammy - I'm so sorry about Dolcina's thyroid and eye problems. I do think you should see an opthamologist just so you know you get the best care. When I have an issue or my DS I got to a specialist who has specifically studied his/her field. Not someone who takes it for a while in med school.

It's a shock to put it mildly and heartbreaking to see anything wrong with our little fluffs. Nothing guarantees health for any of us -- as you can tell by humans. We never know where something will strike. I wanted to share something with you. I produce a lot of health videos for children's diseases and illnesses one of the things that we try to tell parents is not to foster a "poor me" syndrome on the child. If you see them that way then you act differently and in turn their self esteem is low. Now we're talking fluffs here -- but I was just thinking it's kind of the same thing. You are doing everything you can for your little sweetie and I think with proper meds and love, I know you've got tons of love from all your posts, she'll do just fine. Look at her everytime as beautiful, funny, sweet... not my dog with health issues. I just think it makes her and you feel better. JMO.

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k/c mom

· #14 · Aug 15, 2010

Snowbody said:
Sammy - I'm so sorry about Dolcina's thyroid and eye problems. I do think you should see an opthamologist just so you know you get the best care. When I have an issue or my DS I got to a specialist who has specifically studied his/her field. Not someone who takes it for a while in med school.

It's a shock to put it mildly and heartbreaking to see anything wrong with our little fluffs. Nothing guarantees health for any of us -- as you can tell by humans. We never know where something will strike. I wanted to share something with you. I produce a lot of health videos for children's diseases and illnesses one of the things that we try to tell parents is not to foster a "poor me" syndrome on the child. If you see them that way then you act differently and in turn their self esteem is low. Now we're talking fluffs here -- but I was just thinking it's kind of the same thing. You are doing everything you can for your little sweetie and I think with proper meds and love, I know you've got tons of love from all your posts, she'll do just fine. Look at her everytime as beautiful, funny, sweet... not my dog with health issues. I just think it makes her and you feel better. JMO.

Great post!! :goodpost:

iheartbisou

· #15 · Aug 15, 2010

I'm really sorry to hear about her eye issue. I hope she'll be okay and it will be treatable. Poor baby.

I'm just wondering, and I really hope you don't mind me asking this, but as you have referred a few times to her being 'supposedly bred to be healthly"-or something along those lines, did the breeder promise this to you? Is this why you keep mentioning it? Or are you assuming this because she was purchased from a show breeder since most show breeders are supposedly breeding healthy dogs?

Lacie's Mom

· #16 · Aug 15, 2010

And have you talked to the breeder? I would be curious what he has said about all of this.

Sending lots of prayers for your sweet little girl.

Ladysmom

· #17 · Aug 15, 2010

Lacie's Mom said:
And have you talked to the breeder? I would be curious what he has said about all of this.

Sending lots of prayers for your sweet little girl.

I'd be curious, too.

While hypothyroidism is very easy and inexpensive to deal with, I have found KCS to be quite expensive and not-so-easy due to all the complications. Drops and artificial tears run about $100 a month plus I also use an eyelid scrub and a gel. Lady sees her ophthalmologist twice a year which is about $300. Complications like ulcers, infections, etc. can be expensive. Her eye infection last summer cost $1,000 to clear up. Parotid duct surgery, if necessary, is a very complex and expensive surgery.

Maintaining Lady's comfort and eye health is a fair amount of work. I wash her face with an eyelid scrub in the morning and use a cleansing gel at night. Drops have to be done morning and night. I use artificial tears six times a day.

If you do end up taking Dolcina to an ophthalmologist, it will be interesting to see if he thinks she was born with inadequate lacrimal glands since she is so young.

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Piccolina

Discussion Starter · #18 · Aug 15, 2010

iheartbisou said:
I'm really sorry to hear about her eye issue. I hope she'll be okay and it will be treatable. Poor baby.

I'm just wondering, and I really hope you don't mind me asking this, but as you have referred a few times to her being 'supposedly bred to be healthly"-or something along those lines, did the breeder promise this to you? Is this why you keep mentioning it? Or are you assuming this because she was purchased from a show breeder since most show breeders are supposedly breeding healthy dogs?

:huh:Well, no, he did not promise anything, however, since he was highly recommended on this forum and since his so-to-speak "God Mother" who started him on this breeding business, spoke highly of him (and I know that many SM members bought their fluffs from her), then I expected my baby to be a :good post - perfect.

So now, not that I love her any less, I absolutely adore her, I can't stop kissing:smootch: her and hugging her. But Thinking that all her life span she will need special care and I will have to rush home and put eye drops 6 times a day, and I will probably never never be able to leave her with anyone because I will not trust others to take care of her, and that bothers me a lot.

jmm

· #19 · Aug 16, 2010

Most dogs with KCS are well maintained on 2-3 time a day medication. My Tacrolimus runs around $40 for 6 weeks.

Ladysmom

· #20 · Aug 16, 2010

jmm said:
Most dogs with KCS are well maintained on 2-3 time a day medication. My Tacrolimus runs around $40 for 6 weeks.

You don't have to apply artificial tears? Lady gets Tacrolimus twice a day, but I was told to use artificial tears as much as possible. 4-6 times a day minimum, but more often if I can. Her ophthalmologists stressed that you can't overdo the artificial tears and to use them hourly whenever possible.

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