Blocked tear duct in Shetland Sheepdog

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Spreckly
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Blocked tear duct in Shetland Sheepdog

Post by Spreckly »

Angel has a blocked tear duct, despite three vet visits and a month of eye drops. We have stronger drops today, and if after a week there is no change, I either have the choice of an op under sedation for her, or to leave off treatment.

Has anyone had a experience of this condition? Never had it in any dog in the past, though it does not seem to bother her in the least. I have read on the internet that Optrex can be used, though the vet didn't seem to think it would work, and someone else suggested using a warm liquid to bathe the eye.

I hate to see the staining, which I cannot remove, she is a beautiful dog, but like I said, it does not seem to bother her.

I am unwilling to put her in for the sedation and treatment, which does not always work, for a condition which is not painful or life threatening.
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lancashire lass
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Re: Blocked tear duct in Shetland Sheepdog

Post by lancashire lass »

Many years ago (when I was about 10), we had a Fox terrier / Pekingese cross (called Fred from the Fred Basset comic strip) He had the body shape more like a Jack Russell but had the ugliest face LOL (we still loved him) - with a high forehead, eyes and short nose of a Pekingese but a bottom jaw that was slightly overshot so he showed some of his teeth. Anyway, like a lot of Pekingese, he had a weeping tear duct. When we took him to the vets for his annual jabs and rabies shot, we asked about his eye and the vet whipped it out with a pair of blunt forceps there and then. My dad and I stood there in shock, but the dog didn't even yelp - over and done with in a matter of seconds and he never had problems with his eyes after.

Perhaps not the horror story you wanted to hear, but in the long term perhaps having the tear duct removed instead of forever treatment might be the best course of treatment?
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wendy
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Re: Blocked tear duct in Shetland Sheepdog

Post by wendy »

I certainly wouldn't go down the road of anaesthetic, unless you really have to.
I have lost 2 dogs under it.

If she isn't having a problem with it, leave well alone.
You can smear Vaseline under the eye each morning and the tears run over it, instead of staining.
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Gwenoakes
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Re: Blocked tear duct in Shetland Sheepdog

Post by Gwenoakes »

Another one here who wouldn't voluntarily go for the op, Spreckly. Whats a bit of staining between friends, eh? {hug}
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Meanqueen
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Re: Blocked tear duct in Shetland Sheepdog

Post by Meanqueen »

Stop fussing, she isn't going in for a beauty contest is she? Putting her under for something so trivial seems a bit silly.

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Spreckly
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Re: Blocked tear duct in Shetland Sheepdog

Post by Spreckly »

I should have made my post clear, I do not intend that Angel is put under sedation to have her blocked tear duct treated! It was the vet who said that this treatment is used when drops have failed to clear the problem. The only way Angel will have any sort of anaesthetic is if she has a serious condition requiring surgery.
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wendy
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Re: Blocked tear duct in Shetland Sheepdog

Post by wendy »

)like(
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Meanqueen
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Re: Blocked tear duct in Shetland Sheepdog

Post by Meanqueen »

Good to hear it. A wipe with a tissue now and again might help.

Ilona
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Spreckly
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Re: Blocked tear duct in Shetland Sheepdog

Post by Spreckly »

Yes, I have been cleaning her eye regularly.
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Re: Blocked tear duct in Shetland Sheepdog

Post by Spreckly »

Quick update on Angel's blocked tear duct. After failed vet treatment, Angel's eye seems to have completely settled down, and I was over one hundred pounds down also! I bought some Diamond Eyes, a liquid to wipe under the eye, which has done a good job of reducing the staining. My neighbour has used DE on her daughter's shizu (sp?) cross.
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Spreckly
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Re: Blocked tear duct in Shetland Sheepdog

Post by Spreckly »

Angel's eye continues to be clear, and the staining has gone.
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Re: Blocked tear duct in Shetland Sheepdog

Post by wendy »

)like(
http://www.busheyk9.co.uk

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Re: Blocked tear duct in Shetland Sheepdog

Post by Gwenoakes »

That's good news, pity about the £100 though.
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Re: Blocked tear duct in Shetland Sheepdog

Post by Linda S »

I'm so glad Angels eye has cleared up Spreckly {hug} Lindaxx
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