He has green boogers in his eyes all the time, which then leak out and harden, glueing his eyes shut and making him miserable. One vet said his tear ducts aren't working and I should put drops in his eyes, which I have now for a couple of months without any improvement.
Anyone have a better answer?
2007-11-06 05:35:56 · 4 answers · asked by dedgrimm 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
My pug had this problem. The green is bad because it indicates an infection. Any vet with half a brain should have given you an antibiotic ointment (Terramycin is a common one) at the very mention of the word "green" and "eye goo" in the same sentence.
The boogers are caused by the eye's attempt to compensate for a underactive or non-working tear duct. The boogers are generated to attempt to protect the eye, and yes, if you don't clean them out regularly, they will get crusty and uncomfortable. You can use the Bausch and Lomb sterile saline eye wash (NOT FOR CONTACTS). It's used for flushing out eyes and can be bought at any pharmacy. I put some on a q-tip or tissue and use it to clean the crusties from the fur near the eye where it hardens.
Once the infection is cleared, the vet should do a schirmer tear test. This measures the tear production in the eyes. If it's low, your dog will likely need to go on cyclosporine. In the case of my pug, his immune system is actually attacking his tear ducts, causing them not to function. He'll be on the cyclosporine for the rest of his life.
Another alternative to the cyclosporine is tacrolimus.
In this case, it might be worth the dollars to have a veterinary opthalmologist examine your dog. There might be a surgical option available as well. I've even heard of implanting part of a saliva gland near the tear duct to keep the eye lubricated.
Good luck!
2007-11-06 06:06:36 · answer #1 · answered by Sherry C 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The first thing i would do is go to another vets and have a 2nd opinion, it sounds like over production in the tear ducts or conjunctavitas. Both of these can only be cured by prescribed medication and eye drops.
I recomend cleaning her eyes out twice daily with luke warm water on a cotton wall ball.
It may just be the normal amount of excretment from the eyes as Llahsa Apso's are prone to having 'gungey' eyes.
2007-11-06 05:43:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a procedure that opens the tear ducts. A cannula is inserted into the duct to open it. It works most of the time. You can ask your vet if they do it, and what it would cost.
2007-11-06 05:40:01 · answer #3 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suggest this is conjunctivitis, although if the drops arnt working it may be more serious. Wipe his eyes with sterile water (from a kettle) for a quick sollution. He may be blind in the eye or have caught a infection from a nearby dog. When my black labrador, Molly had conjunctivitis we put the cream in her eye and it cleared up quickly.
2007-11-06 05:50:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋