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I have a 12 year old Shih-tzu, I clean her eyes 3 to 4 times a day and I use Systane eye drops and Teramycin ointment, Her right eye has a little spec that when that bleeds a little very little but not every time. What should I do?

Submitted: 986 days and 9 hours ago.
Category: Dog
Value: $9
Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION
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Posted by Dr. Gabby 986 days and 9 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello Patty,

When you say you clean her eyes, what are you having to clean away? What does it look like?

Was she diagnosed with "dry eye" or "KCS" or lack of tear production?



Edited by Dr. Gabby on 3/13/2007 at 10:17 AM

986 days and 7 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to Dr. Gabby's Post: When I clean her eyes is a yellowish/greenish discharge I explained to my vet in one of the visits with another Shihtzu i have and he told me to use Systane and I have used also Maxitro for Dogs, because her eyes are dry so in order to keep them lubricated I use it along with the ointment. When she gets a bath and every it reliefs the discharge for a couple of days but I still clean her eyes everyday. Is there anything better that you recommend to clean her eyes with? Is the little blood spec I explained before a problem I will say that once her eyes are clean and I applie the ointment it looks better and since it such a small spec.

Accepted Answer

Thank you for the information.

First of all she needs to have a tear production test where the amount of tears she produces in 60 seconds is measured. Normal dogs produce over 15mm of wetting on the strip in one minute.

That drainage she is having tells me that either her eyes are infected or more likely, her "dry eye" is not being controlled. She need to be put on a stronger medication that helps her produce tears. One of the best ones is cyclosporine. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1326

I believe that the blood speck you are seeing is an erosion on her cornea. This can be serious if it becomes deep or infected. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=554 she needs a different antibiotic besides terramycin and a way to increase her tear production and eye lubrication for the ulcer to heal.

Do not use the Maxitrol ointment as it has a steriod in it and will make the corneal ulcer worse and not heal.

The sooner you can get her to the vet to get her "dry eye/KCS" and corneal ulcer checked the better.

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Expert: Dr. Gabby
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 3/13/2007

Veterinarian

Veterinarian in practice for 10 years. Compassionate, Caring, Experienced.

986 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to Dr. Gabby's Post: Thank you , I will take care of it, Is it okay to purchase the medication you mentioned and may I continue using Systane until I can take her to the vet?

Posted by Dr. Gabby 986 days and 3 hours ago.

Answer

Yes, Optimmune is prescription only but your vet may let you pick some up if you call and ask.

Yes, you can continue using the Systane.

 

986 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

Where can I get this medication? For her

986 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

In that process Is Terramycin okay

Posted by Dr. Gabby 986 days and 2 hours ago.

Answer

The cyclosporine must be purchased at your veterinarian clinic or your vet can call in a script to the local human drug store. It is used in human eys too. It think the human drug store might be more expensive.

You can also order it online if you have your vet call or fax a prescription in to the website.



Edited by Dr. Gabby on 3/13/2007 at 4:25 PM

986 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

Also I want to thank you for your time and great knowledge I was a bit scared she is my little angel and I have to say that your professionalism has been exceptional and atleast I know what I am dealing with and willscedule an appt for her.

986 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

Can I use the Terramycin in the meantime?

986 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

After reading the messages I have sent and you have replied to Is the Cyclosporine and Optimmune the same or different medications. Sorry
If I am reading it right one is for the tear production and the other is a stronger antibiotic for the little ulcer.
Please detail it for me.
Thank 1000000000000 times

Posted by Dr. Gabby 986 days and 2 hours ago.

Answer

Yes you can use terramycin in the mean time.

Cyclosporine is the chemical name of the drug. Optimmune is the brand name. It is the same thing.

Sorry it is confusing.

985 days and 9 hours ago.

Reply

Do you recommend the ointment or the drops for the Optimmune?

Posted by Dr. Gabby 984 days and 22 hours ago.

Answer

I have used the brand name "optimmune" ointment and the generic cyclosprine drops with equal success. I can not tell a difference. The generic is less expensive of course.

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