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Cataracts etc.

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thminis
Buddy's Mom
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Cataracts etc. Empty Cataracts etc.

Post  Buddy's Mom 3/6/2012, 4:26 pm

We just did our yearly visit with the vet today. One concern was that Buddy has been hesitant at going down the stairs in the dark lately. It turns out he is developing cataracts. His right eye is much worse and has limited vision, his left eye is only very mild so far. He's 8 years old. This is my first experience with this so if anyone can offer any advice I would much appreciate it.

We also had a heartworm test, everything was fine there but last year both Buddy and Oscar came back lyme positive. We did 2 courses of medicine for Buddy, one for Oscar. Oscar is negative now but Buddy is still positive. They took a catch urine sample from both and both came back with traces of protein. So they want us back in a few weeks to get a clean sample and possibly do a mini blood panel on Buddy. They are worried about kidney problems from the lyme, especially Buddy because of his age and the fact that he's still positive. If we get the go and everything is okay they want to do a lyme vaccine.

I've read various opinions about it. Anyone with insight? We definitely have a problem with ticks here and even with frontline plus they both got lyme disease and I am vigilant with tick checks! I'm thinking it's worth the risk to vaccinate all of them (if we can). Pros/cons?

Thanks!
Buddy's Mom
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Post  thminis 3/6/2012, 8:49 pm

Has Buddy seen an ophthalmologist? A good ophtho for a pug is priceless. The big concern with cataracts is they can be painful/dangerous if they cause glaucoma (where the pressure in the eye builds up). That's when cataract surgery is recommended.

As for the lyme, I honestly wouldn't panic just yet. Do your vets not see a lot of lyme? I have always been under the understanding that many/most dogs who test lyme once will test positive for life (or at least a long time). Also, I understand the worry of kidney issues, but I've seen a lot of urinalyses of healthy pets that are positive protein or billirubin.

Like I said, I wouldn't panic just yet. The first sign of lyme disease is usually pain, traveling lameness (changes spots often), and joint inflammation. I would recommend running all necessary tests, but my vet gave me really good advice once when I was worried Reggie was going to get pancreatitis after getting into the garbage: you have to treat the pet. Meaning, if the pet is asymptomatic and tests come back okay, then you have to wait (or at least not take drastic measures). Again, I've seen many, many dogs test lyme throughout life.


Also, as for the lyme vaccine, in my area, lyme disease is so prevalent that my vets are pro lyme vaccine. Additional two cents is that I know a lot of people who have been very, very disappointed with Frontline the last year or so.
thminis
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Post  Nan and BAGS 3/8/2012, 2:20 pm

thmini's - Which eye doctor do you use? And has it been a success? every pug dog that I know who went through the cataracts surgery was a huge waste of money becuase it didnt work.

Ironically Aine has been diagnosed with the beginning of cataracts in one eye. They think her eye got bumped when she was a pup.



Thanks!
Nan and BAGS
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Post  Tyson&LuLu'sMom 3/8/2012, 4:33 pm

Nan and BAGS wrote:thmini's - Which eye doctor do you use? And has it been a success? every pug dog that I know who went through the cataracts surgery was a huge waste of money becuase it didnt work.

Ironically Aine has been diagnosed with the beginning of cataracts in one eye. They think her eye got bumped when she was a pup.



Thanks!

I know you didn't ask me, but we had Mac's eye surgery done by Dr. Lindley at Animal Eye Consultants. The office we go to is in Elgin but they have other locations as well.
http://www.animaleyeconsultant.com/animaleyeconsultants/Home.html
Tyson&LuLu'sMom
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Post  Nan and BAGS 3/8/2012, 5:04 pm

Becky did it work?! Can I ask how much? And how old was he?
Nan and BAGS
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Post  Tyson&LuLu'sMom 3/8/2012, 5:22 pm

Nan and BAGS wrote:Becky did it work?! Can I ask how much? And how old was he?

Mac had bilateral medial canthoplasty done in December of '09, he was about 7 months old. Basically they put a few stitches on the inside corner of each of his eyes. We originally thought he'd have his right eye removed since he's completely blind in that eye due to an injury that wasn't treated properly before he came to live with us. Dr. Lindley called after she started the procedure and felt that his eyeball had shrunk enough that she could leave it in and just close up the lids a bit to protect his eyes.
She's great and I highly recommend her, and her staff are wonderful too.
Tyson&LuLu'sMom
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Post  leslyeb 3/8/2012, 8:17 pm

Chyna has developed cataracs in the past year. She just went for a 6 month checkup, and they have not gotten worse. I would have your pug seen by a specialist. Cataracs can raise the pressure in the eye so it is good to have the specialist check. I was told that there are some eye meds if the cataracs get worse, but I am not sure if it is specifically for the cataracs or if the pressure starts climbing. I figured I would just cross that bridge when I came to it. Chyna also has pigment and uses Tacrolimus which has kept the pigment from spreading.

When it comes to the eyes, I would strongly recommend a specialist.
leslyeb
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Post  Buddy's Mom 3/8/2012, 8:53 pm

Thanks for your insight. We have an appointment scheduled for the 27th to test urine and hopefully get lyme vaccines so I will be sure to ask about the pressure in the eye then and see if they can recommend a specialist to keep him healthy. I'm just feeling so bad for him right now. Last year it was arthritis in his spine and a lot of pain, along with the lyme disease. Now this year cataracts and possible blindness. At 8 years old he's going through a lot. Crying or Very sad
Buddy's Mom
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Post  thminis 3/9/2012, 1:04 am

Nan and BAGS wrote:thmini's - Which eye doctor do you use? And has it been a success? every pug dog that I know who went through the cataracts surgery was a huge waste of money becuase it didnt work.

Ironically Aine has been diagnosed with the beginning of cataracts in one eye. They think her eye got bumped when she was a pup.



Thanks!


My two go to Dr. Jackie Vernot in Glendale Heights (I believe). She's awesome. I've actually shadowed her before. You know, I'm not 100% sure on the success rate of cataract surgery, but Dr. Vernot would be very honest about if she thought it was necessary or not.

Something to think about, is Aine an allergy pug? Allergies/severe inflammation can cause some types of cataracts.
thminis
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Post  Nan and BAGS 3/9/2012, 3:41 pm

Something to think about, is Aine an allergy pug? Allergies/severe inflammation can cause some types of cataracts.

You know? I never had her tested. I had a friend that did have an "itchy bitchy puggy" as she used to call her,Cataracts etc. 547493 and Aine was NO where near that. I mean - she does lick her paws and normal stuff. But she doesnt have bald patches where she is itching herself raw like my friends alergery prowned puggy.

BTW - I have also called the University of IL at Urbana Vet Hospital. Ironically, one Opthomology Vet owns a pug and she is going to be doing PK at Pug FEST! I have already signed up. Talking to the tech, they said the vet running the PK test could tell me if I need to really go in for further tests with Aine.

Themini's - what do you mean by "shadowed"? Are you a vet too? Edit - Found her! I just have to figure out my schedule now.... do you know anything about Dr. Sisler? thanks again! Do you know her #? Or I can just find her on the web?

(Total sidenote. SNEAKY Aine. She got downstairs while I was taking a shower. Scared me half to death. Cataracts etc. 6260 She barked while i was singing in the shower and I screamed and she was like this--> Cataracts etc. 609723 and all smiles. I was like oH AINEEEEEEEEEEEEEECataracts etc. 335895 How could you even HAVE a cateract - because she went through the dark.... and you look so sweet at the same time! )
Nan and BAGS
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Post  Dayna 3/10/2012, 1:12 pm

I agree with the redommendation re: the Opthamologist. Both of mine had "plastic surgery" to correct their eyelids from rubbing their eyes causing scaring. It didn't stop it completly but it did slow it down. I think the surgery and all pre and post visits was about $500 per pug. They now get daily drops and they seem to help. I'm afraid Bellas eyesight will be gone before she gets too much older but her eyes do stick out a bit more than Bears. Goodluck!
Dayna
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Post  thminis 3/10/2012, 9:07 pm

Nan and BAGS wrote:
Something to think about, is Aine an allergy pug? Allergies/severe inflammation can cause some types of cataracts.

You know? I never had her tested. I had a friend that did have an "itchy bitchy puggy" as she used to call her,Cataracts etc. 547493 and Aine was NO where near that. I mean - she does lick her paws and normal stuff. But she doesnt have bald patches where she is itching herself raw like my friends alergery prowned puggy.

BTW - I have also called the University of IL at Urbana Vet Hospital. Ironically, one Opthomology Vet owns a pug and she is going to be doing PK at Pug FEST! I have already signed up. Talking to the tech, they said the vet running the PK test could tell me if I need to really go in for further tests with Aine.

Themini's - what do you mean by "shadowed"? Are you a vet too? Edit - Found her! I just have to figure out my schedule now.... do you know anything about Dr. Sisler? thanks again! Do you know her #? Or I can just find her on the web?

(Total sidenote. SNEAKY Aine. She got downstairs while I was taking a shower. Scared me half to death. Cataracts etc. 6260 She barked while i was singing in the shower and I screamed and she was like this--> Cataracts etc. 609723 and all smiles. I was like oH AINEEEEEEEEEEEEEECataracts etc. 335895 How could you even HAVE a cateract - because she went through the dark.... and you look so sweet at the same time! )

I haven't heard of Dr. Sisler. I'm not a vet, but that is the end goal! I'm about to graduate with my animal science/ pre vet bachelor of science degree, and I'm a vet tech.
thminis
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