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Our cousin, Ruby, had some eye challenges this week and is under the care of an canine ophthalmologist – you know, a seeing eye doc.
Tartok surrenders to Hu-Dad”s awful puns.
As a quick background for our newer readers, Tartok and Ruby are the Hu-Grandmom’s Siberians – known as the Herd Annex. They live on the other side of the valley from us and Hu-Dad joins them for dinner every other Saturday night (Hu-Grandmom comes to visit us on the alternate Saturdays).
Tartok and Ruby posing for treats. Ok, fine, Tartok is motioning that he wants the treat NOW.
Ruby’s eye adventure began earlier this week when she was holding her eye closed and was obviously uncomfortable. Off she went to our regular vet and then referred to a canine ophthalmologist. A whole battery of tests have been done, but, thus far, no definitive origin of the cause has been identified. We were surprised to discover that she is blind in one eye, though the doctor does not believe that is a recent development. Classic example of dogs amazing ability to adapt to their physical capabilities.
We know she has a small cataract, uveitis (inflammation of the eye), and glaucoma (pressure in the eye), but these appear to be more symptoms than cause. The symptoms are being treated with eye drops – four different kinds – each given from 2 to 4 times a day.
Ruby’s eye drop collection.
As you can imagine, Ruby is less than excited about all of those eye drops, though she has been a real trooper about them. Fortunately, by treating the symptoms, Ruby is feeling much better and was her usual self at dinner last night.
Eye drops? Again?
She will continue on the treatments this week and see the ophthalmologist again later this week. For now, all is well.
Except for Hu-Dad’s “seeing eye doc” joke. That’s still real bad.
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His books pay for our food!
Seeing eye doc!! BOL!!
-Otto
I work at a Veterinary Opthalmologist. Helpful hint – they make Dorzolamide (the blue top) and timlol (the yellow top) in a combo drop that will make your life easier. It also looks like maybe they made you buy those at a pharmacy… Try goodrx.com for coupons. Just type in the med name and it will show you the lowest price. Not all pharmacies will help with pets, though! CVS has been pretty helpful in our area.
This breed is genetically prone to glaucoma so that’s 1 strike. That’s pretty much the only reason we see any Siberians. Did they check the angle where fluid leaves the eye? If it’s closed it’s inherited glaucoma. Cataracts can cause inflammation in the eye (uveitis) if they are developing quickly which can lead to scarring which then can then cause glaucoma. The other options are trauma and tumors in the eye but those eyes look pretty clear.
If the other eye went blind from glaucoma then it usually means inherited glaucoma and the breeding of the parents should be stopped. I don’t know how old this dog is but cataracts can also be inherited if this is a young dog and again, breeding should be stopped.
Thank you for all of the helpful comments and suggestions. They will help with this week’s visit with the ophthalmologist.
Fortunately, they have ruled out the obvious traumas and tumors (though, some specialized tests are headed to the NC State Vet School for testing early this week). The cataracts appear to be small and not the cause and the glaucoma appears to be a secondary, not primary, issue.
As far as breeding, every single member of The Herd and Herd Annex has been neutered or spayed, so no worries about any genetic defects being passed on to pups.
Thank you for the very helpful comment.
Aw sweet Ruby! I hope all those eye drops help you out really fast and you feel better every day! Big hugs sweetie! I hope your next ‘seeing eye doc’ appointment goes well!!!
My Bruce has some eye issues too. He had allergies that affects his eyes. If it gets really bad then it drains this green goop and he has to have a antibiotic drop and sometimes steroid drop. We wasn’t 100% Sur it was allergies, but then his Hu-Dad started having the same issue. We use allergy eye drops to prevent it from getting bad. This time of the year is the worst with all the flowering of everything. He also has some cataract in both eyes, but he was born with it and it doesn’t stop him from doing anything. I hope you find out what is causing Miss Ruby’s issue. I hope she has a full recovery. Hugs and kiss to the whole herd.
Mom sez: How old is Ruby? Could it just be an “age-related” problem? We thought Ice had cataracts, too, as he’s almost 14, but his vet says NO cataracts, just “old age” and “tired eyes”
We wish her a speedy recovery.
Vince, Silky and Nacho