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Post by yasmin on Apr 27, 2016 2:12:01 GMT
I am in a paralyzed panic. My degu, Makoto, has Cherry Eye.
I can't find Optrex, they have discontinued Polysporin for Eyes ointment, and both vets I saw about Makoto's Cherry Eye (prolapsed tear gland) seemed to think it would go back on its own because, each time I took him in, it had gone back on its own. But since the weekend, it seems to have become more permanent. I feel I should be doing something but I don't know what – am paralyzed with fear of doing something that might hurt rather than help.
Has anyone had any experience with this? Whether it be a guinea pig, gerbil or degu? One of the several pharmacists I have spoken with recommended Polysporin Pink Eye drops – says it is okay for dogs. Would this be okay for a degu?
What could cause this? Both vets found no evidence of infection. Thought maybe it was caused by an irritation to the eye that has since been removed but the gland is still prolapsed. I have read that in rabbits it can be caused by a dental issue. Last time Makoto had an x-ray, his molars looked fine – i.e.; no roots growing up into eye sockets – though I suppose that it is possible that it has come on suddenly.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 27, 2016 18:06:24 GMT
I'm sorry, I don't know anything about this, I just had a quick look on the german forum and can't see any cases of it. Generally the advice comes back to considering the teeth when there is an unexplained issue with the eye, when was his xray? Are you getting any other eye symptoms in the eye or eye area?
I would lubricate with saline, over here you can buy it from commercial DIY/ safety places as a refill for emergency eye treatment stations as an eye rinse. Milk is also an option and cool boiled water although that will sting more than saline.
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Post by bouncy on Apr 27, 2016 18:53:13 GMT
Same as Moletteuk, but I hope it resolves itself soon. If you can't find Optrex to moisten the eye, any eye bath from a pharmacy/first aid kit or saline solution should work just as well x
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Post by yasmin on Apr 28, 2016 1:56:04 GMT
Thanks for your replies. He got an x-ray in January when he had that ear infection; his teeth looked fine then.
We tried putting Polysporin Pink Eye treatment on it but the eye is now completely shut. I will however go to the pharmacy again and look for an eye bath. Worth it to keep trying.
He has other symptoms: The tips of his ears are flaking off like Rei and Gi's were years ago – vet thought it might be some sort of vasculitis at the time. He has the head tilt, his other eye is partially closed, and he has something going on perhaps deep within his ears because he continues to scratch at them yet does not have any outward signs of infection. Doesn't seem to be scratching or bothered by his eyes though.
Only thing I can think of getting done is another x-ray to see if maybe he has a tumor growing behind the eye or in the brain – but not sure if that would change anything because we already know he has a mass of some sort pressing on his heart.
He is eating and behaving normally other than being practically blind – still gets around in his cage though, still using all levels and ramps, eating, running his wheel (though slower than before). Still the sweetest ever.
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 28, 2016 15:24:33 GMT
The regular polysporin ointment should be totally safe to use for the purpose. There are also ointments/gels for dry eyes that you should be able to get over the counter. Wish I could remember the name of some of them!
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 28, 2016 15:53:20 GMT
I think an xray in January is recent enough to be fairly confident in ruling out dental issues. It sounds like some sort of mass in his head could be quite likely, has he had any more antibiotics since the ear infection, just in case there is a deep seated abcsess? I think if he tolerates ABs quite well then it might be simplest just to give him another course if the vet thinks its a good idea, it's probably difficult to justify another anaesthetic for another xray with him not generally in great shape.
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Post by yasmin on Apr 29, 2016 3:03:18 GMT
Went to the vet again today because I was desperate to figure out what I should and should not do for Makoto. At this point, the eye is glued shut with what looks like reddish-brown stuff.
Vet checked it – it is not blood and it is not infected. The reddish-brown is porphyrin in his tears brought on by stress to his system. The eye is not dried out but there is inflammation. So, he prescribed lots of sand baths (to help clean off the porphyrin which may be irritating Makoto and gluing the eye shut) and also anti-inflammatory, antibiotic steroid eye drops (Maxitrol: contains Neomycin, Polymyxin B Sulfates and Dexamethsone) to reduce the inflammation. We are to apply it three times a day for the next week.
There may be a shrinkage to his eyeball and that may be causing the prolapse, but the vet said he does not know what exactly is happening with Makoto. So relieved to at least know what I am doing and to have an appropriate medication.
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Post by yasmin on Apr 29, 2016 3:11:12 GMT
I think an xray in January is recent enough to be fairly confident in ruling out dental issues. It sounds like some sort of mass in his head could be quite likely, has he had any more antibiotics since the ear infection, just in case there is a deep seated abcsess? I think if he tolerates ABs quite well then it might be simplest just to give him another course if the vet thinks its a good idea, it's probably difficult to justify another anaesthetic for another xray with him not generally in great shape. Dr. Auger didn't advise an X-ray. The vets are reluctant to prescribe another round of antibiotics because it is hard on the gut flora. (However, Makoto and other of my degus tolerate Baytril very well – Lilac was on it for over a year with no visible ill effects.) He only got the round of antibiotics when he had the ear infection, and none since. Your theory of the possibility of a deep-seated abscess is an interesting one .I am to update Dr. Auger on Monday re: Makoto's progress on the drops. If there is no progress, I will discuss this with him.
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Post by bouncy on Apr 29, 2016 9:43:12 GMT
Glad to hear you have some professional reassurance! It's amazing that you have such a detailed and experienced vet.
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Post by moletteuk on May 1, 2016 10:11:56 GMT
Hope the eye drops are going in OK and that he is comfortable.
Yeah, it's the ear infection that improved with ABs but the symptoms not totally going away, then followed by an eye issue that could involve pressure, plus head tilt that makes me suspicious.
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Post by yasmin on May 2, 2016 1:40:34 GMT
Yes, I agree. So far, there seems to be reasonable improvement with the eye. Drops are a bit difficult to give because he jerks around; it is taking two tries/two drops each time just to get one in the eye, but at least they are helping. However, yesterday his heel began to bleed – the same one that was bleeding a few weeks ago. This time he lost a lot of blood before we were able to patch it up with styptic powder (looked like there were just a few drops of fresh blood around the cage until I lifted up one of the mats and saw a large pool of blood had accumulated under it! Was very worried because he was weak, but I gave him fresh dandelion leaves and lots of his favorite foods to eat, and he enjoyed that and was back to his ole self by late afternoon. Today, there was just a bit of blood here and there, but he seems to be doing fine.
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Post by deguconvert on May 2, 2016 14:15:31 GMT
I wonder if his blood is thin, and not able to clot on its own. Did you notice if there was any clotting taking place in the pool you found beneath the mat?
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Post by moletteuk on May 2, 2016 16:25:22 GMT
Gosh, I bet your heart stopped when you saw the puddle of blood! I wonder if the anti inflammatory (I presume metacam) would thin the blood and affect clotting, like aspirin would.
Did you get any of the probiotics with electrolytes (vetark pro-C over here), I was just thinking it might rehydrate him faster and get his blood volume back up faster?
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Post by yasmin on May 3, 2016 4:37:04 GMT
I wonder if his blood is thin, and not able to clot on its own. Did you notice if there was any clotting taking place in the pool you found beneath the mat? Interesting. It spread through and across the paper but stayed red and liquid for hours. It dried rather than clotted.
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Post by yasmin on May 3, 2016 4:43:09 GMT
Gosh, I bet your heart stopped when you saw the puddle of blood! I wonder if the anti inflammatory (I presume metacam) would thin the blood and affect clotting, like aspirin would. Did you get any of the probiotics with electrolytes (vetark pro-C over here), I was just thinking it might rehydrate him faster and get his blood volume back up faster? It was a terrible shock. My husband scolded me for freaking out over nothing – up until I lifted the mat and showed him the pool. Yup, he was shocked too. Didn't give Makoto any probiotics with electrolytes – not sure what it is called/branded here. I think the fresh dandelion leaves really helped. The anti-inflammatory is not Metacam – it is in these eye drops called "Maxitrol" – topical not systemic.
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Post by yasmin on May 7, 2016 3:12:31 GMT
Update: Makoto's eye is practically back to normal (cataract and all but at least no prolapsed tear gland).
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Post by bouncy on May 7, 2016 7:06:56 GMT
Hooray!
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Post by moletteuk on May 7, 2016 19:27:35 GMT
Great
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Post by deguconvert on May 8, 2016 4:13:19 GMT
YES!!! So happy for you!!! About time something went really well! May it be a growing, universal, trend for all your animals!
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Post by yasmin on May 9, 2016 2:57:32 GMT
Oh I so do hope so. This whole horrifying streak started last May; I hope it will end with this May.
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