Dog Community

deeply scratched cornea

Posted : 6/5/2008 9:38:25 AM

I thought I was doing a great thing for my dogs and fenced in the yard so they had a play to run. Before this they were always on leashs. Well one of them is blind and I guess we were leading him more than we thought . The same day as the yard was finished he ran hard into a tree.I didn't think he had hurt himself but yesterday he woke up with his eye matted shut. Today I took him to the vet and she said he had a deeply scratched cornea. He is being treated with antibotic ointment and antiinflammatory pill for the pain. She said if it doesn't heal he will require surgery. I was too upset to ask and still hopeful that it will heal so I didn't ask what that surgery would include. Would they just remove the eye since he can't see anyway? If they did wouldn't that cause a different set of problems? What else can they do for this. Thanks

rwbeagles

Posted : 6/5/2008 10:15:49 AM

I don't have any ideas on the surgery but wanted to chime in and give my well wishes to you and to your pupper.

juliekay

Posted : 6/5/2008 10:48:45 AM

Thanks I did some more checking and here is some info I found:
Third eyelid flap surgery
Occasionally when a corneal ulcer fails to heal or when a very deep or wide ulcer is present a third eyelid flap procedure is performed. Under general anesthesia the patient's Nictitating Membrane...also spelled Nictating Membrane... (called the third eyelid) that originates in the medial corner of the eye opening and under the lower lid, is pulled up and over the cornea. It is sutured to the inside of the upper eyelid, thus forming a protective and nourishing layer of tissue over the damaged cornea. Medications can still be applied to the eye between the eyelids, but the surface of the cornea will not be exposed and cannot be visualized while the third eyelid flap is in place. The sutures are removed in 10 to 28 days and the corneal healing is assessed. This procedure is commonly done and be very helpful in generating a healing response in severely damaged corneas.

So that made me feel better. I'm still hopeful it will heal and one of the vets is too. ( two vets work in that office one thinks it will heal one doesn't) At least I know they won't just immediately take the eye out

calliecritturs

Posted : 6/5/2008 10:59:34 AM

The big deal to help it heal is to keep him out of it -- that's the biggest problem in healing any eye injury usually. Did they have you put an e-collar on him?? You just don't want him digging at that eye.

I'm not aware of any problems that would occur if they have to remove that eye -- not to say there aren't any, only that I don't know.

The meds they use sometimes on the eyes can make them VERY sensitive to sunlight and with this dog maybe even more so (if he can't sense light/dark he might not blink at all) so you might have to keep him inside even more. Dunno -- again, nothing I'm sure of but at least it's a question to ask the vet.

Man, what they can't think up to worry us even more, huh?? *hugs*

juliekay

Posted : 6/5/2008 11:45:40 AM

No he doesn't have a collar on. The only time he has tried to dig at it though is when it was matted shut and when they put the stain on it. I'm pretty sure he cant even see light any more. Anyway right now all he wants to do is sleep and cuddle which I'm sure is the best thing for him. I knew last night when he didn't come to greet me at the door after work he was in trouble. It was so scary when I had to go looking for him, Monday he has a return visit with the vet and then I will be armed with questions.

calliecritturs

Posted : 6/5/2008 7:16:18 PM

Good luck, dearheart -- I've missed you!

jessies_mom

Posted : 6/5/2008 7:48:27 PM

I want to give my well wishes too; hope his eye heals without any problems.

juliekay

Posted : 6/9/2008 10:39:11 AM

Thanks for the well wishes :)

He went for his check up today. He is healing though they are still concerned. They do believe if he doesn't heal the best thing for him is to remove the eye. The surgery with the third eyelid is done to try to save the vision and since he doesn't have any they feel it is best to remove the eye to take care of the immediate problem and prevent future problems. He has to return in 9 days for another check up. It really seemed like they were surprised at how well he was doing.

willowchow

Posted : 6/9/2008 11:03:34 AM

Oh, poor little guy. I hope he will be OK.

FWIW-I think that will heal on it's own with the ointment. I've had friends whose dogs have done things like that and sometimes it needs another round of ointment but I've never had any of them have to go thru a surgery. Just my opinion, but I think it was too soon for them to be even bringing that up. They could even send him to a specialist before anything is decided on too.

Eli's Mommy

Posted : 10/1/2008 8:36:22 AM

How did you make out at the vet? I have a 6 month old Chihauhau puppy that just scratched his cornea pretty bad. The eye is really cloudy looking, but he holds it closed a lot. The vet gave us two different bottles of drops and an ointment to go in twice a day. He said if this doesn't do it he'll have to see a specialist.

I was just wondering how your situation turned out since it sounds similar to mine.

thanks!