Dog Community

Should he wear it while camping?

Posted : 7/20/2006 1:06:42 PM

Poor Beau has a corneal ulcer. For about a week Beau has been favoring his right eye. I looked several times to see if there was something stuck in there. Well two days ago he didn't want to open it at all. So we went to some new vet, because our usual couldn't get us in until next week, and we'll be camping all next week.

After trying several things, the vet finally found out that he has an ulcer on his eye. I figured he'd stain his eye and do that test first, like I had asked. But he didn't. He did 2 other things that should have been second in line to find out what was wrong with his eye. So, I was somewhat over charged, but I didn't complain there at the vets office. I saved that for my cell phone on my way back to work with Beau.

$108 later, he has to wear a lampshade. For 10 days! I don't have a problem with him wearing it until our last day in town, which is Sunday. But it'll be a pain for him to wear it while we're camping. I told the vet he didn't really need a cone for his head, because he didn't scratch his eye, he only held it shut. But he charged me $10 for it anyways, and sent my off with him wearing it, and a tube of antibiotics.

Would it be safe to stop the use of the lampshade on Sunday? And just monitor him afterwards? He doesn't touch his eye anyways.

Chris

Posted : 7/20/2006 1:26:43 PM

But it'll be a pain for him to wear it while we're camping.

A pain for who, you or the dog? Leave the cone on, it'll keep the dust and dirt out to some degree, and if it's tinted, will block some UV rays. It'll also deter you from letting him in the water and getting more nasty stuff in there. I know it doesn't look cool, but it can only help. Put your dog's health first. Leave the cone on. Corneal ulcers hurt!

hlb118

Posted : 7/20/2006 1:35:19 PM

It's not a pain for me. It's a pain for him. I could care less if he looks "cool". He doesn't want to move around because he's constantly stuck. He'll start walking outside, get stuck, then turn around in frustration and wait for another time to go out. Normally, I'm on the other side of the room, and it's too late to help him.

The vet told me the cone was to keep him from scratching. He has never lifted his leg to mess with that eye. My thought was to leave it on for the 5 days we're home, and remove it right before we leave. I guess I'll see how it goes.

Julitza

Posted : 7/20/2006 1:44:51 PM

If he is not scratching at the eye I really dont see why he should have to wear it. The cone will just be a big pain in butt for him. Make sure he doesnt get too much dust in the eye, I would keep a water bottle handy to rinse the eye just in case. If you see him start to scratch at the eye put it back on, but from what you say I think he will be fine.

Let that big boy enjoy his trip!

jennie_c_d

Posted : 7/20/2006 8:41:56 PM

I'm surprized that he has such a hard time with it. He has only been wearing it two days, though. You don't want him rough housing and rolling in the pine needles and such, so he should probably just wear it.

I put one on Teenie, and she went, "Oh, ok." and joined the "bash it, and it'll move" school of thought.

hlb118

Posted : 7/20/2006 9:33:23 PM

He's doing "ok" with it on right now. Maybe just a little irritated. But when he runs, it smacks him in the face over and over again. I'm sure it doesn't hurt, but it's got to be annoying.

His eye is opening more today. The antibiotics must be doing their job. I guess the best thing to do is leave it on to prevent him from rubbing until his eye opens all the way again. From what I can tell, it will probably be completely open on Monday or so.

hlb118

Posted : 7/20/2006 9:45:56 PM

But he looks so saaad... I think he's mad at me.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 7/20/2006 11:12:57 PM

Aww! He's SO CUTE! He does look really pouty, LOL.

Just don't make it a big deal, and it won't be a big deal, unless he's a drama queen, like Emma. She won't walk in an e collar. She just stands there, with her head touching the ground. I had to wrap her feet after her dewclaw removal, and change the wrap every day, to keep her from licking.

Xebby

Posted : 7/20/2006 11:23:33 PM

Yeah, Gizzy didn't care much for her e-collar either. She had an abces on her side and would not stop licking. I think every dog will at least in their life have to wear one of thoes.