Spitz Mix With a Mature Cataract and Possible Glaucoma
by Roula
(Beirut, Lebanon)
All went fine until last November when her sick eye started getting red and teary. The vet suspected increased eye pressure and development of glaucoma. he administered an eye drop trusopt (one drop per day) which eased a bit the redness but didn't clear it completely. 2 months later her other right eye started getting a bit green grayish (at night) and a bit red. the vet asked to start applying in it as well a drop once a day. When asked if surgical intervention is needed to prevent total blindness in both eyes He asked me to seek the help of an ophthalmologist who can measure the IOP with a portable tonometer. Based on results he would make the decision. I've been trying to locate an ophthalmologist in lebanon in vain. In the meantime an NGO in Lebanon were kind enough to share my dog's case with a specialist vet outside of Lebanon; he wasn't too sure about the case and suspected a dry eye problem KCS first but his last call on the subject was not certain suspecting again a glaucoma since he judged from the pictures a dilated
Upon the first feedback of the vet (KCS) I started applying as he said genteal (lubricating) about 5 times a day and an antibiotic (tobrex) 3 times a day in each eye.
Before I started that treatment (2 days ago) her sick eye was red and somehow getting smaller in shape as if the eye ball was sucked in. After one day of treatment the redness got reduced and the shape of the eye regained its normal size.
I researched a lot the KCS case ( dry eye) and compared facts with my dog's case. She had an ear infection before her eye's problem started and I don't know how much it is related. She has discharges from the eye but not abundantly and never green as per the KCS cases. My real concern now is not being able to do anything for her in the absence of accurate professional prognosis while her sick eye is worsening and the other starting to have a slight discoloration deep down the cornea,
Would highly appreciate your help and sorry for the long over detailed note.
Roula
Your vets' concern makes sense: a mature cataract can leak proteins that inflame the eye, and this is a common cause of secondary glaucoma. A red eye, a dilated pupil and an eye that looks smaller can all be signs of a damaged eye. Ideally, eye pressure should be measured; ask any vet clinic, university or animal hospital whether they have a tonometer, even if they aren't eye specialists.
Keep giving the drops your vets advised and tell your local vet about the Tobrex. Because the other eye is also at risk, watch for redness, cloudiness, squinting or a larger pupil, and seek care at once. If the blind eye stays painful, removing it relieves pain.
See glaucoma in dogs and cataracts in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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