Bella has been diagnosed with Chronic Dry Eye
Quote: Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca or Dry Eye in Dogs Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc. Race Foster, DVM Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is the technical term for a condition also known as 'dry eye.' Inadequate tear production is the cause. This may be due to injuries to the tear glands, such as infections or trauma. The nerves of these glands may also become damaged. Eye infections and reactions to drugs such as sulfonamides can impair the nerves and/or the glands. Some cases are also the result of the gland of the third eyelid being surgically removed by mistake. KCS may also be caused by an immune reaction within the glands that produce tears. Many cases have no known cause; the glands simply cease to function at their normal levels. What are the symptoms? The eyes typically develop a thick, yellowish discharge. Infections are common as the lack of the bactericidal tears allows bacterial organisms to overgrow on the eye. Additionally, inadequate lubrication allows dust, pollen, etc., to accumulate. As a result the eyes lose their ability to flush away foreign particles and protect themselves from bacteria. To confirm a case of dry eye, a measurement of tear production is performed. Veterinarians use a small piece of absorbent material called a Schirmer tear test strip. This small strip is placed in the eye. Over a period of usually one minute, the tears soak and migrate up the strip. The wet area of the strip is then measured and compared to normal values. If inadequate tear production if found, then dry eye is diagnosed. What are the risks? Left untreated, the patient will suffer painful and chronic eye infections. Repeated irritation of the cornea results in severe scarring which will become apparent. Corneal ulceration may develop, and may lead to blindness. What is the management? If the cause can be identified, treatment should be aimed at eliminating it. An evaluation to determine if infection is present should be performed. A thorough history may reveal past infections that could have damaged the tear glands or their nerves. If the patient is receiving sulfa drugs, they should be stopped at once. From our clinical experience, it is very rare that the cause can be identified, in which case therapy is aimed at replacing tears rather than correcting the cause. Cyclosporine ophthalmic ointment or drops are most often used to treat this condition. Another eye preparation, tacrolimus, is also used and may be effective when cyclosporine is not. In some cases, artifical tear solutions are also recommended. In very severe cases, a surgery can be performed which transplants a salivary duct into the upper eyelid area. Saliva then drains into the eye, providing lubrication. This procedure is rarely used, but is an option. |
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Ouch! that sounds painful. 
I hope Bella doesn't have all those other symptoms.  |
| Sorry Wendy. Please give her a hug from us. |
| Fox had it. He hated, hated, the eye drops. Eventually an ulcer on the eye took his eye site. The ulcer healed but not before leaving him blind in one eye. He lived many years and a one-eyed lover boy. |
| WEll, she has the mucousy discharge, and she scratched her own eye. I am hoping it heals or stops. I am only worried about her being uncomfortable all the time. She doesn't much like the ointment in her eyes, but it's hard to get her to open her eyes at med. time. |
| To keep her from scratching, maybe doggles? |
Sorry to hear Bella is having eye issues.  Hope it gets better soon!! |
| Hope Bella is feeling better soon |
| I am not sure it will ever get better, but as long as she can be kept comfortable with the eye meds, than it will be ok. I got some artificial tears yesterday from her vet and it seems to help a lot. |
Hope Bella is going well 
I dont know about dogs but my friend has a mild case of this after laser eye surgery and she swears by the artificaial tears. She says her eyes dont feel sore, tired and scratchey when she uses them regularly.  |
| Well, The first two versions of the meds are not doing the trick on the right eye. I am waiting for the delivery of the Tacrolimus opthalmic drops compounded. This is supposed to work when the Cyclosporine doesn't. It is working on her left eye however. I am praying the last medication will work, or she may eventually lose the eye as a previous poster mentioned happened with her dog. I just can't stand to see her miserable. I am also using liquid tears 2-3 times a day on that eye. It really only bothers her when all the goop builds up in the eye...like she has something in her eye she rubs it. |
| Poor Bella baby
As long as you can keep her comfortable.. which it sounds like that is your main priority! 
Bella will be in my thoughts.. hope her little eye gets better soon!!!! |
| I hope Bella gets better soon. |
| My sister has dry eyes. She hates it because she has never been able to wear contacts. They have tried various treatments over the years, but the thing that works best fo her is to put the natural tears in her eyes every two hours, while awake.
Fingers crossed for you. |
| Best wishes for Bella! Hope the drops work. |
| The new meds came today. We just started...paws crossed. |
| I know you just started Bella on her new meds.....but, does it seem to be helping at all? |
| I hope the new meds work.
Mopsy had dry eye as she got older. We pulled goop out of her eyes daily for her and gave her artificial tears. That seemed to keep her from messing with her eyes which I took to mean that she was at least comfortable. She still had her dew claw and would use that to on her eyes and that always made me nervous. Give Bella a hug from me. |
| Judi...sounds like my Bella. I don't know if these are working or not yet, as it is too soon to tell. I should know in a couple of weeks. At this point they seem to work as well as the last ones...and they didn't solve the problem. It's only been 3 days though. I use the liquid tears as well. If I can keep her comfy I will do what I can. |
| Poor Bella. I hope the new medicine works. |
| Just an update. The meds aren't doing as much for the right eye, but we are holding it at bay...working great on the left eye.
Hopefully this will be my routine for a while...paws crossed that it gets no worse for a long time. Back to the vet in 6 months. |
| Poor you and Bella ....Hugs from us!!!! and please keep us posted.... |
| I hope it keeps (somewhat) working. Was the eye it works in less severe? |
| Yes. The left eye is at 80ish...where the right eye is at 5. I don't know what the actual measurements are, but that is for comparison. |
| Ok...just an update. Bella has 0 in her right eye, and around 11 in the left eye. We are going back in today but it seems my only option is a $2,200.00 surgery to put saliva glands in her eyes. I am going to ask my vet how to keep her out of pain, but I don't think that surgery will be an option for us...we just don't have the money. She will go probably lose her eyesight...and I am having a terrible time with this. It is a tough thing to deal with. |
| I'm sorry, but I understand. I can't say it doesn't hurt, but our St.B went blind and did quite well most of the time. Once in awhile he'd forget where the gate was and would get frustrated. They are lead more by the nose, so expect your girl to really take interest in smells.
We are putting goop into Glacier's eyes several times a day as she has developed strange things on the third eye lid. One vet thinks tumors, older one thinks just inflamed cells. Trip to doggie opthamologist is silly as Glacier is 12 and not a good candidate for surgery. So we are just putting the goop in, trying to keep the eye lubed. |
| I'm so sorry about this, Wendy!!! If we had an extra $2,200.00, Bob and I would send it to you IN A HEART BEAT!!!! Would your vet allow you to pay it over time?
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| Wendy, for all the good things you do for dogs, I think we need to do a fundraiser for Bella.
I'm serious. This is not at all unheard of in the performance community. You shouldn't have to face this kind of heart-wrenching decision. I'll tell you one thing though, I'm NOT drawing anything... 
Usually when we do fundraisers like this they're local and we do raffles. In fact, a friend of mine put together her own raffle to raise money towards paying for her dog's double detached retina surgery. I know you're squirming right now, but tough! This only works when you're part of a great dog community. And you are. Off to think... Kristine |
OMG....Bob and I were just thinking about this...a fund raiser to help with Bella's surgery.....if there is a way to help Bella....it would be a wonderful thing!!!!! 
Off to think too....... |
Mad Dog wrote: Wendy, for all the good things you do for dogs, I think we need to do a fundraiser for Bella.
I'm serious. This is not at all unheard of in the performance community. You shouldn't have to face this kind of heart-wrenching decision. I'll tell you one thing though, I'm NOT drawing anything... Usually when we do fundraisers like this they're local and we do raffles. In fact, a friend of mine put together her own raffle to raise money towards paying for her dog's double detached retina surgery. I know you're squirming right now, but tough! This only works when you're part of a great dog community. And you are. Off to think... Kristine I agree....I mentioned this to Wendy I believe last week. She was as you said, squirmy .... I thought it would be a great idea. I will certainly do what I can to help....she certainly helped us with the calanders! 
Wendy |
| Guys...hang on. My vet said he has done the surgery before, but it has been a long time. He is going to study up on it and in the meantime Bella is going to be ok. I just have to keep doing what I am doing. I told him I would try to push it until next year...then he would do it for probably around half of what the specialist would. I can also make payments with him.
I am going to start putting money aside from the calendar sales, so I have some time yet. (so push them!!!) I really appreciate it, but not necessary yet. |
| We are here for you Wendy and Bella!!!
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| I'm so sorry Bella's having this problem. You can definitely
count me in if you need help with a fundraiser. |
| sorry to hear this about Bella, keep us posted on how both of you are doing. |
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| Special thoughts for Bella-- Nice of your vet to Study Up! We would be glad to pitch in on a fund raiser if needed! |
| Hamish, Misty & Zorro have agreed to do without their paw-ket money to help Bella, it is a tough time for Wendy and she is doing her best. Oh Ali maybe you should start the ball rolling ! |
| She did Stewart....I have some money from Ali put aside towards this. You all so sweet. I thought I was done crying...then I read this thread. |
| Abrcadabra has an endowment to share with other Sheepies.
Best of luck with the treatments. |
| Yes Stewart, as Bella's breeder I HAVE stepped up to help Wendy and shall continue to do so as i too can. |
| Just an update. I am hoping to have the surgery scheduled by the end of this month. I feel like all the meds are keeping her eyes wet, but the left eye is starting to decline a bit more now.
It is exhausting putting something in her eyes every few hours, and I think she will always need some drops or lubricant, but not hopefully as much as now. I will let you know when I find out all the particulars as to what it will do for her. It will be nice not to have to torture her with meds all day. hopefully |
| I am with you...anyway you need!!!!! Just let me know!!!
Heart Says::::: (((((Big sheepie kisses.   ..from your Heart  ))))))
""""I LOVE you Auntie Bella!!!!! You just GOTTA ....GET WELL REAL SOON!!!!  """" |
Good luck Wendy! I hope your vet can do this surgery for Bella.  |
| He has done it before Dawn...just been many years. I know he can, he just wants to refresh his memory first, and he has another big surgery this week. |
| OK. I just got a call and the surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. I am glad I am staying home this year. My vet spoke with the eye surgeon and now he is ready to go. |
wendy58 wrote: OK. I just got a call and the surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. I am glad I am staying home this year. My vet spoke with the eye surgeon and now he is ready to go.
YAY!!!   |
| Wendy.....Let me know where I can send a ' Bella donation'.... Auntie Bella deserves a chance and this surgery will help her.
I am so glad that you scheduled this. Good Luck and keep us posted!!!!! |
| It IS going to be two surgeries, one eye at a time. She is going to be so pissed at me...like we don't spend enough time in the vet as it is.
Then we will be doomed to the angry dreaded conehead OES for two seperate terms. Nothing about this dog is easy. Sigh...but I love her. |
| My dogs don't have this but I do. I was taking special eye drops that were very expensive but then I had my lower tear ducts plugged. I'm not sure if that is an option with dogs but it keeps the liquid from draining so my eyes stay lubed longer. I don't even use eye drops anymore. It was a pretty simple procedure - they just took tweezers and placed a silicon plug into the tear duct. |
| Bella's eyes aren't producing enough tears...so drainage isn't the problem. The surgery involves removing or relocating a saliva gland from the cheek into the upper eyelid.
The right eye measures at zero. |
| Can we get a two for one deal with the vet? I'm so tired of using (and paying for) Restasis. |
Seriously this dog is a money pit. Proin once/twice a week now, puralube (liquid tears) eyewash, optimmune @ $30.00, Tacrilimus drops @$30.00, Chloraphenarimine & Hydroxizine (allergy meds) and $47.00 for a 28lb bag of dog food...allergy formula. 
All but the Proin are pretty much a monthly basis. Too bad I picked now to try to go back to work. I would rather pay for the Restasis. I really don't think you would appreciate the drooling from your eyes part either. 
Good thing I love her...this will be her again soon.  |
| Restasis is what I had used also. Perhaps for the eye that still produces a little, plugging up a duct would help. It just keeps tears around longer. Obviously it won't help for the eye measuring zero. |
| Logic tells me with this dog that whatever costs the most will be the thing she needs.
I am glad you had a simpler solution. It really must feel terrible to have dry eyes all the time. |
Good luck!!! It is frustrating when you are confronted with things like this! My male GSD is giving me a run for my money (literally). He turns 5 in Dec. and just started falling apart (seizures, cancerous tumor, hypothyroidism, random other related issues!). At the same time I am treating his 1/2 sister (just turned 5) for an unknown eye issue - they tested for everything and concluded it must be a bacterial or viral infection. She is so squirmy that it is nearly impossible to get the ointment in. Tried to CERF my pug 18 months ago (always wondered why no one ever did) and was basically told by the vet that b/c of the wrinkles, pugs have innate eye issues and can't be CERF'd. Basically she recommended doing a surgery to REMOVE the wrinkles on her face. Instead I watch and lube if they look irritated. I Sept. I took the pugs to a birthday hike/party for two of Rowa's puppies. It was a hike and she wound up hacking and hacking. After a vet visit and meds it turned out that she was just out of shape! 
With the number I have, it is always something. I can't imagine if it was all in one! It makes sense though as allergies and immune issues seem to lump together. You'll have to post pictures once she is up and 'drooling' into her eyes. |
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| To those that have written to me, yes i was the breeder of Bella and yes, i have sent money to Wendy to help with Bella's expenses. Thank you for writing me.
I did not intentionally breed a dog to come out with these problems. I also removed Bella's mother and that part of the blood line from my lines and I will never use it again. Although i see there is a new dog from that line being shown now in the USA again. I am a concientious breeder, and do take health considerations into effect, thank you very much, and dont breed that much.... only for myself when i want a breeding. |
| Please don't pick on Ali for this dog's health problems. This is just one of those things. It will never be repeated as Bella and her mother have both been spayed. I get tired of being in the middle of it. I share because this is a good place to go for information and support, not to place blame anywhere. A reputable breeder would remove suspected animals from their breeding program, which is what she did. |
The bottom line is that Bella needs this surgery....Wendy is making sure she gets the surgery, and with Ali's help and any other forum member who would like to help,,,we will make sure that Wendy gets ALL support she needs.    |
Ali wrote: I did not intentionally breed a dog to come out with these problems.
Of course you didn't. Things can just happen when striving to bring new living creatures into this world. I don't see how this could have been prevented before the condition was found. Of course I'm not a breeder. But I feel it's about never purposely breeding a dog with a known health problem. And if a condition appears, it's more about what's done after the problem is found. It sounds like Ali's been both conscientious and honorable. |
Ali wrote: To those that have written to me, yes i was the breeder of Bella and yes, i have sent money to Wendy to help with Bella's expenses. Thank you for writing me.
I did not intentionally breed a dog to come out with these problems. I also removed Bella's mother and that part of the blood line from my lines and I will never use it again. Although i see there is a new dog from that line being shown now in the USA again. I am a concientious breeder, and do take health considerations into effect, thank you very much, and dont breed that much.... only for myself when i want a breeding. I don't know Ali, but follow her comments on the forum and haven't seen/heard anything that would lead me to believe she would be anything other than a responsible breeder. I'm a little shocked that she would receive "reminders" of her responsibilities from our forum members. JMHO/ |
| I have given Bella a bath today so that she will be clean for the surgery on Wednesday. I sure hope it does the trick. |
| give my girl a big hug from her other momma. She will do well I am sure. It's you and I that are the worry warts. |
| Keeping our paws and fingers crossed here for Bella, Dutch and I would like to help with a donation so please let us know how, when where |
| Thanks all of you for your generous offers. I am going to see how it goes after the first surgery. Kristine put it well by calling me squirmy, but I hate to take any money from anyone at these tough times.
I do appreciate all the generous offers though. |
| Good luck, I hope Bella does well |
| here's hoping for a fast, safe and successful surgery for Bella tomorrow.
Let us know as soon as you get her home. love mom Ali |
| Wendy and Bella
Hang in there... I am sure she will be fine! Glad she has such a good set of Moms!!
Please let us know how she does |
Best wishes to Bella tomorrow!!!!
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| Best wishes to Bella
Thinking of you both! |
| Thinking of you and Bella today. |
| BIG hugs to Wendy and Bella today. Bob and I will be thinking of you! |
| Good Luck Bella!!! We are thinking of you!!! |
| Good thoughts for Bella and Wendy from Heart and her family in St. Louis!!!! PLEASE let us know when she is back home..... |
| My vet just called and he said the surgery is done. He didn't run into any problems but he said it was very tedious and he is exhausted. He is such a wonderful man. Now we just have to pray that she recovers well and that everything works. I will be picking her up later this afternoon. |
I so happy she is out of surgery...I know you will take such good care of her when she comes home, and she will be very happy to see you!!! PLEASE keep us posted!!!! |
| Hooray!!!!!!! keep us posted!!!
Ali & Kids here |
| Bella looks like Frankenstein...with a cone-head. I hope this works but I don't think I will do the other eye. I am praying it will hang in there. |
| I'm glad it is done, and Bella is OK, and back home |
| Good news now keeping all paws and fingers crossed this is Successfull.
Hugs bella & hugs for mom too. |
| For a great outcome. |
| Poor girl. She is totally miserable with that cone on. She looks like she lost a fight, but on the plus side, I am pretty sure it is working. Show her a cookie and ask her if she wants it and her eye waters.
Even with my vet doing the surgery, it was more expensive than I anticipated. My fault for thinking the original price was for both eyes. I think the next week will be exhausting. sigh. Thanks for all the well wishes. |
| AWW great news sending Bella loads of Hugs shes such a good girl! Keep us posted wendy!!!!
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| Glad she's ok... we need pics. |
| Uploaded...awaiting approval. |
| Hugs to Bella and to Wendy
So glad she got through this surgery ok and with good results |
| Poor girl |
| The pictures are up, but since they are not of a happy, fluffy sheepdog, you can click the camera icon to see them. |
| That poor girl . She should get used to the cone pretty quickly, Zach had to wear one for several weeks and he adjusted after a few days. |
| Update. I had to go and get a bigger cone for Bella as the one she was wearing was too tight around her neck. I think the doctor was trying to be sure she didn't remove it, but she was choking on her food. The periodic draining from her eye was freaking me out, so I emailed my vet on vacation. He said it was most likely drainage from the tunnel that was created to reroute the saliva gland to her eye.
I feel very bizarre teasing her with treats so I can see if her eye waters. I am pretty sure it is working, but it is hard to see every time. I will update again soon. Thanks for all the well wishes. |
| Still keeping all crossed
Poor possum looks misrable in the cone, but it is for her own benefit. Hugs bella baby. |
| I really hope the surgery does the trick for sweet Bella. Were both eyes done or just one? It is such an interesting solution. Crossing my fingers that it will be a success. |
| Just the one eye. The other eye is not as bad yet, but I will not do this again. The cost is so high for this surgery even at a little more than half price from my vet, I don't forsee being able to add that much more to my credit card debt. My vet told me in 30 years she was the first case he had seen that didn't respond to the meds. The surgery was the treatment back then.
I do think it will help her, and it does seem to be working. Two weeks with an 85 lb furry satelite dish size conehead is going to exhaust me. My plans for the rest of her life is to keep her comfy. She seems to be feeling much better today as she is trying to play with toys again. The "cone of shame" seems to prohibit normal chew toys however. It's gonna be a long two weeks. |
| It sounds good that Bella seems to be responding well after her surgery. |
| ah poor girl. i am happy to hear she is doing better. hope she continues on the path to full recovery. |
| Why did they shave both eyes?
As far as teasing w/a treat to see if her eye'drools', I have seen a few meals that brought me to tears!
Happy healing Bella! Don't worry about the cone - it could be worse!!! |
| I asked them to shave both sides of her face so she didn't look freaky. |
| Going to see her Vet tomorrow. It is just for the after surgery check. I think she is doing well, but he did say he would have seen her again in 24 hours if it wasn't a holiday. |
| Good luck and give Bella a hug. |
| Well, the vet checked her and said her eye was glistening and didn't look dry. I was a little concerned this morning as she had the mucousy stuff in the eye, but as she was sleeping the saliva isn't as active at night. So we will just put some eye lubricant in at bedtime and in the morning if she needs it.
Stitches come out a week from Wednesday, so I will post some pics after. Oh, but the conehead is tough. |
| Sounds promising, I hope Bella is feeling better.
I hate the cone head phase too. None of mine have ever seemed to adapt to the darn thing. |
| Wendy - There is an article on Dry Eye in the current "Bark" magazine on page 80. Just to let you know that you aren't alone. They discuss the problem, possible causes, treatments, etc.
Good luck! Judy |
| Woo Hoo!!!! I know this is really weird, but I just fed Bella and watched a "tear" run down her face from the corrected eye. She was also drooling from her mouth of course, but it was looking dry to me a minute before. I KNOW the surgery was a success now. EW!!! |
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That is GREAT news!!! |
wendy58 wrote: Woo Hoo!!!! I know this is really weird, but I just fed Bella and watched a "tear" run down her face from the corrected eye. She was also drooling from her mouth of course, but it was looking dry to me a minute before. I KNOW the surgery was a success now. EW!!!
Not weird at all! Poor sweet Bella - Hoping for lots of tears! |
| Fantastic news! |
  
YAY.....That's wonderful news!!!! |
| An update. We get to go to the vet on Wednesday and get the stitches out...and THE CONE OFF!!!!
Hopefully this will keep her comfy for a long time. It is SOO weird when the eye drools at any suggestion of food. Gross, but it's a good thing. |
| Eyes drooling is a small price to pay ...dontcha think???? ..kidding...so happy she is on the mend!!!! whoo-hoo...go bella!!!!!! |
| Oh, wow.
That's so great, Wendy.
Kristine |
| Stitches out. Cone off. Eye drooling demonstration fro the Dr's in the office. One happy surgeon, Bella feels better, and I am less stressed. I will just tell my husband not to show me the credit card statement.
I will post a pic as soon as I get her face washed up. Thanks for being there for me guys...Bella sends a drooly kiss. |
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| Fabulous news |
| Hooray! Give Bella a big wet wink from me! |
| GIVE BELLA A KISS FROM GIGI AND BOGEY.
YEAH! |
| Wonderfull news for bella. |
| Wendy...Just wondering how Bella's eye is doing since her surgery. Your last update was a good one....hope she continues to do ok! |
| She is doing great! I still need to put in meds twice a day on the left eye, but it seems to be ok with the meds. The right eye needs some lubricant morning and night, but it is gross drooly eye with any mention of food or treat. So weird. I have to brush the right side of her face more as it gets crunchy with all the spit. EWWWW!!! It is a good thing though.
If she stays as she is for a while we may get another 5 years at least. I am guessing this thread can sink into the history soon. Thanks again guys...now if you can just help me make up my mind whether or not to clip Nigel on Saturday. Transitioning coat again. sigh. |
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