Could use an opinion on Mylee's eyes. - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Cha Cha · 07-21-2012, 08:22 AM

History: Mylee has always had watery runny eyes and I've always delt with it by cleaning them and I've even tried different foods, and the purified water. At her last checkup just last month I asked my vet to look at them. He did quite an extensive examination of her eyes and felt everything looked normal and nothing alarmed him. He did say it could be a tear duct problem but wouldn't recommend putting her under at this point just to see as he didn't feel she was in any pain and/or I wasn't willing to keep her clean, but he did say it was something he'd do if she was being put under for something else, like a dental. Her teeth are good, but she may need a dental by next year. She's 3 years old.

Today, I noticed when we are outside she squints more, and her eyes water so much more than they do indoors. Could it be allergies? She has so many problems otherwise, but allergies have never been one of them. Is it possible that sunlight is actually painful to her eyes? She does not ever dig or rub at her eyes. I love my vet and they are the most advanced clinic in my area, but at the time I hadn't really made the outdoor connection. Mylee is the silver bullet on the right.

Cha Cha · 07-21-2012, 08:26 AM

I wanted to add, Mylee just had a bath and her eyes were cleaned up last evening and you can already see where the tears have run. Is this excessive? I mean, am I being unreasonable in thinking it IS excessive?

Wylie's Mom · 07-21-2012, 08:56 AM

Gosh, they do look watery...you're right. My Marcel has allergies and his eyes get a little funky this time of year -- my vet prescribed a prescription drop...do you think that's an option for you?

Also, you might want to bring him to an Ophthalmologist. They do incredibly thorough exams, and can see things that a generalist could never see (bc of the instruments). Wylie had to go to an Ophth for his cataract - and she was amazing...the exam was about a full hour long!

Couple other things came to mind based on other yorkie's stories here...I wonder about dry eye and/or whether she has those micro-eyelashes that turn into the eye (grow toward eye and brush the eye) and irritate the eye. A member called "Kalina82" has a yorkie who has that, and it was Dx by an Opth.

Cha Cha · 07-21-2012, 11:39 AM

Thanks Ann. My vet did talk about those little micro eyelashes and he did get out a tool to look, but probably not what a specialist would use. He did put her on some antibiotic drops that I have not noticed any difference. I didn't think to ask him about dry eye though. I think I will go back and discuss a referral to the specialist or the Univ. They just seem really bad today. Maybe I got soap in her eyes.

lisaly · 07-21-2012, 12:46 PM

My little one, Gracie, had a tear duct problem, and I used an antiobiotic ointment with steroid when needed. It helped a great deal. Mylee's eyes definitely could be irritated from a bath, but there are so many other causes for more eye tearing. I used warm compresses to clean Gracie's eyes when they were tearing excessively or if they looked irritated. Your babies are beautiful.

mimodok · 07-23-2012, 12:53 PM

My Yorkie has dry eye and is blind in her right eye. I took her to see a specialist and she is on two eye drop prescriptions for her dry eye. Her eye is doing so much better with the use of the drops. I encourage you to take your dog to an animal eye specialist. I will share with you the relevant parts of Mishka's diagnosis so you can see if it sounds like what you're dealing with.

"My major concern is that Mishka may contend with congenital dry eye in the future" When an inadequate level of tears are present, the eye produces a thick mucous as a substitute [I clean a clear, booger-like glob from the corner of Mishka's eye daily. This is the mucous he is referring to.] The lack of tear production not only leads to mucous production but also scarring and pigmentation of the surface of the eye. This eventually leads to loss of vision and is uncomfortable for the pet.

Congenital dry eye occurs predominately in small breeds of dogs (Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Maltese, terriers)" It often becomes apparent that there is a eye problem some where between 3 months and 12 months of age. The lack of tear production is due to the lack of functioning tear glands. The disease is almost always unilateral. Many dogs with this condition have a smaller appearing eye. The eye is actually normal in size, but appears smaller due to persistent squinting.

WATCH FOR: 1) increased cloudiness, 2) holding the eye closed most of the time, 3) increasing discharge from the
eye, or 4) vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. PLEASE CALL lF THESE SIGNS OCCUR!"

There are three therapies for dry eye: tear stimulators, artificial tears and ointments, and a surgery. The surgery transplants a salivary gland to the tear duct so that saliva does the job that tears normally would. This often creates more complications than it's worth and is a last resort.

If you think your dog is experiencing dry eye, please take her to an eye specialist. Dry eye can lead to corneal ulcers which are very painful, can become infected, require separate treatment, and leave scarring that can impair the dog's vision.

mimodok · 07-23-2012, 01:00 PM

Cha Cha, I also want to say that Mylee's eye looks like my puppy's eye. I can see the clear mucous I referred to in the corner of Mylee's eye and along the shelf of her lower eyelid.

This is exactly what Mishka's eyes were like before starting her on drops. Now she gets tacrolimus twice a day for tear stimulation and Optixcare Eye Lube twice per day for moisture. I clean her eyes in the morning and at night. Now she only gets a small amount of that mucous in the corner of her eye. She is also much more lively. I can tell that the eye treatment is making her feel much better.

Britster · 07-23-2012, 01:00 PM

No advice, but poor girl! They do look very runny. Hope it all gets figured out.

carmen in nj · 07-23-2012, 01:15 PM

Chacha I would have that girl's eyes check that is not normal, she can have a tear duct problem or an allergy that needs to be taken care of.. wishing you lots of luck..
hugs,

Cha Cha · 07-23-2012, 06:17 PM

mimodok: Thank you for that very informative post. I will be following up with my vet on dry eye, and I know he will refer us if he needs to, or if I request to do so.

I have watched her closely, and I do think her eyes are much worse when we're out doors. After we came in, they dried up and I don't notice her squinting inside at all. Also, she never gets gunk or mucous accumulated in the corners of her eyes. It's just clear teary drainage that dries on her hair. Inside I would say it is not excessive the way I feel it is when we're outdoors. That's why I was wondering if it could be a light sensitivity. In the pictures it is sunny outside but they are shaded by the deck roof. However, compared to Moka, Mylee is squinting when Moka does not seem bothered at all.

mimodok · 07-24-2012, 06:31 AM

Even if it is not dry eye, I would still take her to an eye specialist if you can. It will give you peace of mind and reassurance that her diagnosis is correct and the best course of action is being taken. It sounds like you've been dealing with this for a long time. I'm a "straight to the point/problem solver" though so I, personally, wouldn't have the patience to make educated guesses and try treatments. I would want to leave it to the specialists (which I did!).

I hope Mylee's eyes improve and that you and your veterinarian can figure out the cause of her discomfort.

07-21-2012, 08:26 AM	#2
Cha Cha Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Where the deer and the antelope play Posts: 7,069	I wanted to add, Mylee just had a bath and her eyes were cleaned up last evening and you can already see where the tears have run. Is this excessive? I mean, am I being unreasonable in thinking it IS excessive? __________________ Shelly and the girls Moka Mylee

07-21-2012, 08:56 AM	#3
Wylie's Mom Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 35,889 Blog Entries: 2	Gosh, they do look watery...you're right. My Marcel has allergies and his eyes get a little funky this time of year -- my vet prescribed a prescription drop...do you think that's an option for you? Also, you might want to bring him to an Ophthalmologist. They do incredibly thorough exams, and can see things that a generalist could never see (bc of the instruments). Wylie had to go to an Ophth for his cataract - and she was amazing...the exam was about a full hour long! Couple other things came to mind based on other yorkie's stories here...I wonder about dry eye and/or whether she has those micro-eyelashes that turn into the eye (grow toward eye and brush the eye) and irritate the eye. A member called "Kalina82" has a yorkie who has that, and it was Dx by an Opth. __________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann \| Pfeiffer \| Marcel Verdel Purcell \| Wylie \| Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨°

07-21-2012, 11:39 AM	#4
Cha Cha Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Where the deer and the antelope play Posts: 7,069	Thanks Ann. My vet did talk about those little micro eyelashes and he did get out a tool to look, but probably not what a specialist would use. He did put her on some antibiotic drops that I have not noticed any difference. I didn't think to ask him about dry eye though. I think I will go back and discuss a referral to the specialist or the Univ. They just seem really bad today. Maybe I got soap in her eyes. __________________ Shelly and the girls Moka Mylee

07-23-2012, 12:53 PM	#6
mimodok Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Wilmington, NC, US Posts: 99	My Yorkie has dry eye and is blind in her right eye. I took her to see a specialist and she is on two eye drop prescriptions for her dry eye. Her eye is doing so much better with the use of the drops. I encourage you to take your dog to an animal eye specialist. I will share with you the relevant parts of Mishka's diagnosis so you can see if it sounds like what you're dealing with. "My major concern is that Mishka may contend with congenital dry eye in the future" When an inadequate level of tears are present, the eye produces a thick mucous as a substitute [I clean a clear, booger-like glob from the corner of Mishka's eye daily. This is the mucous he is referring to.] The lack of tear production not only leads to mucous production but also scarring and pigmentation of the surface of the eye. This eventually leads to loss of vision and is uncomfortable for the pet. Congenital dry eye occurs predominately in small breeds of dogs (Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Maltese, terriers)" It often becomes apparent that there is a eye problem some where between 3 months and 12 months of age. The lack of tear production is due to the lack of functioning tear glands. The disease is almost always unilateral. Many dogs with this condition have a smaller appearing eye. The eye is actually normal in size, but appears smaller due to persistent squinting. WATCH FOR: 1) increased cloudiness, 2) holding the eye closed most of the time, 3) increasing discharge from the eye, or 4) vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. PLEASE CALL lF THESE SIGNS OCCUR!" There are three therapies for dry eye: tear stimulators, artificial tears and ointments, and a surgery. The surgery transplants a salivary gland to the tear duct so that saliva does the job that tears normally would. This often creates more complications than it's worth and is a last resort. If you think your dog is experiencing dry eye, please take her to an eye specialist. Dry eye can lead to corneal ulcers which are very painful, can become infected, require separate treatment, and leave scarring that can impair the dog's vision. Last edited by mimodok; 07-23-2012 at 12:55 PM.

07-23-2012, 01:00 PM	#8
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	No advice, but poor girl! They do look very runny. Hope it all gets figured out. __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

07-21-2012, 12:46 PM	#5
lisaly Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 5,892	My little one, Gracie, had a tear duct problem, and I used an antiobiotic ointment with steroid when needed. It helped a great deal. Mylee's eyes definitely could be irritated from a bath, but there are so many other causes for more eye tearing. I used warm compresses to clean Gracie's eyes when they were tearing excessively or if they looked irritated. Your babies are beautiful.

07-23-2012, 01:15 PM	#9
carmen in nj Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hopatcong, NJ, USA Posts: 4,615 Blog Entries: 74	Chacha I would have that girl's eyes check that is not normal, she can have a tear duct problem or an allergy that needs to be taken care of.. wishing you lots of luck.. hugs, __________________ My Etsy shop is OPEN... Carmen in nj

07-23-2012, 06:17 PM	#10
Cha Cha Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Where the deer and the antelope play Posts: 7,069	mimodok: Thank you for that very informative post. I will be following up with my vet on dry eye, and I know he will refer us if he needs to, or if I request to do so. I have watched her closely, and I do think her eyes are much worse when we're out doors. After we came in, they dried up and I don't notice her squinting inside at all. Also, she never gets gunk or mucous accumulated in the corners of her eyes. It's just clear teary drainage that dries on her hair. Inside I would say it is not excessive the way I feel it is when we're outdoors. That's why I was wondering if it could be a light sensitivity. In the pictures it is sunny outside but they are shaded by the deck roof. However, compared to Moka, Mylee is squinting when Moka does not seem bothered at all. __________________ Shelly and the girls Moka Mylee

07-24-2012, 06:31 AM	#11
mimodok Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Wilmington, NC, US Posts: 99	Even if it is not dry eye, I would still take her to an eye specialist if you can. It will give you peace of mind and reassurance that her diagnosis is correct and the best course of action is being taken. It sounds like you've been dealing with this for a long time. I'm a "straight to the point/problem solver" though so I, personally, wouldn't have the patience to make educated guesses and try treatments. I would want to leave it to the specialists (which I did!). I hope Mylee's eyes improve and that you and your veterinarian can figure out the cause of her discomfort.