Hi all,

I know i only come on here when i have a problem and tonight is no different. I acquired (as in given) a yellow lab some 6 months ago. She has always had weepy/watery eyes and when i got her she had conjunctivitis. Sorted at vets - not an issue. I made the mistake of telling petplan that she suffered from this when i took out the insurance and as a consequence NO, really NO, eye conditions are covered!!!

Anyway, we have since had the tear ducts flushed. This has made minor improvement but she still looks as if she is crying, particulary after she has eaten. Back to vets (more than once) numerous eye drops, now we have an ear infection as well.  Am I trying to be a vet and thinking that the ear nose throat thing could be a possibility - after she has eaten (like a lab, as in no tomorrow) they are awful but then they calm down a bit. Her ears are minging - got drops for them too but she is supposed to have an op tomorrow - forgive the terminology but some sort of eye revision surgery.... they snip near corner of eye and then stitch (it has a name and i cannot think of it). I am just starting to wonder if i should let a) ear drops work a bit longer b) put it down to side effect of greed or c) go ahead with the op.

Sorry guys, am rambling but not sure she needs this surgery even though vet has said its the next thing 'to try'.

Thanks
Sx

PS. cost not issue - granny is paying!!

Does this dog have entropian then?

I would see an eye specialist ( if you have not already ) before considering any form of surgery .

Thats what its called, yes! I didn't take her for the op today. Spoke with vet and decided to wait another week to see if when the ears clear up this then helps anything - or not as the case may be.

Its only a slight defect though they said.

Will it do damage long term if we don't have the op??

Sx

Yes, it will do long term damage.  Imagine having a bit of grit in your eye.  The kind that makes you close your eye and try and blink the other eye to clear it.  The really sore grit that makes you reach for the optrex to clean it out.  Well, imagine that but you can't scratch or rub or clear it out.  It's there constantly rubbing and irritating your eye.  This, if not treated, causes ulcerated eyes and can lead to blindness.  Why on earth you wouldn't go ahead with the op, I have no idea?  My girl got this done and was never bothered ever again.  Saved a fortune in ABs and vet visits! Really is a simple op.
But it is hereditary so you shouldn't breed from this girl.
I don't have any idea if it is connected to the ears but I do know that this is a breed bothered by allergies and stinky, yeasty ears regardless of the eye situation.

> Will it do damage long term if we don't have the op??

It really depends on the severity of it. Mild cases may not need any treatment, other cases may need occasional treatment (to help lubricaate dry eyes or to treat an infection). Severe cases would need an opperation.

As opposed to what some people seem to think, ectropian is NOT an eye infection, it does not mean eye infection and it is not conjuctivitis, it is droopy eyelids. The droopy eyelid leaves the eyelid exposed, this can lead to infections
A droopy eyelid may not be developmental (ie, may not be a genetic conformational problem), they can be caused from infection, trauma or something in the eye and also be a sign of disease & a symptom of old age.

I too would not have my dog operated on just because his eye watered. I'd treat the symptom.

I would also look at allergies as well as ear and eye infections could indicate that there is something triggering things.

My girl Moose had various allergies and suffered from bad ear infections and also had running eyes at times.

How old is your dog? as head maturing can also improve the eyelids quite a lot...
Depends how bad it is I suppose.
Has she been seen by an eye specialist?

Dodgy ears can definitely make a difference to the eyes as well, so unless the eyes are really bad, I would get the ears better and also look in to her diet as this can cause both issues (or contribute to them).
My girl had awfully watery eyes when I tried her on JamesWellBeLoved, we don't know what it was in the food that caused it, she has not reacted like that to any other food before or since. I took her off it and the eyes got better, put her back on and the watery eyes returned so we know for sure it was the food...

> As opposed to what some people seem to think, ectropian is NOT an eye infection

I believe the OP said the dogs has entropion... [where the eyelid/s and lashes turn inwards], which is a much more painful condition than ectropion, where the eyelids and lashes droop outwards.

>I believe the OP said the dogs has entropion

well spotted!!

I did wonder why you were being so easy about the whole thing, Mastifflover.lol.