Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 3 year old shiba started keeping her eye closed. When I looked at it, it has a bluish haze to it. She acts like she can't see out of it. I took her to the vet and got eye drops. I am taking her back today since it has not gotten any better. Has anyone had any experience with this? Is she going blind in that eye? I am praying it is something else that will go away.

Bob (Shboom) probably has the most experience will eye issues on this list, and I'm sure he'll respond. I hope your dog is okay. I'm glad you made the vet visit. Maybe a specialist too if it doesn't improve?

I am waiting for the vet to call me back. I am stressing and want to know if I should find another vet to take her to since she can't get in until 3:30.

I am so scared.... and sad!

Depending on where you are located, perhaps you could find a vet that specializes in eye problems. You might try checking on Google, or calling the Veterinary Department of your state university. Here, in Colorado, we have a wonderful facility at Colorado University, and I know that Bob takes Beni to Cornell for treatment.

Prayers coming your way, and please do keep us posted!
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

I am taking her back at 3:30 today for another eye stain test. And, for the vet to look at her again. Then she will refer me to Kansas State University's vet if she thinks it's not something she can take care of. Part of me wants to go ahead and make the call to the University and not go back to her today, but I also want to give her a chance too. This was our first trip to this vet. I am hoping she does a great job because her prices are so much better than the other vet we were going to. Thanks for the prayers!!!! Abby appreciates them! I can't wait to see her sweet little black eyes looking at me again!

Since you are in Kansas, you're only an hour later than me, so you have some time before your appointment this afternoon. I'm thinking that if I were you, I might at least give them a call at Kansas State, and tell them what is going on and that you have a follow up later today. See if they feel you should go ahead and keep the afternoon appointment, or go ahead and bring her in right away. Just a thought.

How did you find this new vet? I'm sure it's even more difficult because you are seeing someone that is new to you and Abby.
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

I found the vet through a referral. My friend/coworker knew the lady (vet) and said she had heard good things about her. If I don't feel comfortable at this next appt I am going to call the University to see if I can get her in today. Or, maybe I will call them now, make an appt and cancel if I have to. That way I will be able to get her in at both places today if I don't like how the new vet handles things.

That sounds like a very good idea to me! Why did you leave your previous vet?
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

I just felt like their prices were too high and didn't think they were "personable" enough. They went from a humble older office to a brand new one, which is great, but I feel like I am paying for the nice place. I may go back though if I don't feel like this new vet knows as much as the old vet.

Anxiously waiting to learn what you found out this afternoon!
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

Well, not good news. Went to the first vet and she referred me to K-State. So went there and they found she was blind in the eye. They said she has glaucoma. She is going into surgery tomorrow morning. I can't think of the name of it, but it is not where they remove the eye or replace it. I will give her drops in her right eye from now on to hopefully prolong the glaucoma in that eye. I am devastated and sickened. I miss her beautiful eyes looking at me. I feel so horrible.

We are praying that everything works out for you.....but, no matter what, your baby girl will always see you in her heart, recognize your voice, and know your scent....we know that she is in good hands...Please keep us posted...

Patty , Beni, and Kari

I'm so very sorry to read this report. I kept hoping, all day, that the news would be better. I know your heart is aching and the night will be long for you. I was happy to see Bob's post. He's been so great with Beni and has much good advice to give you. He will be there to answer questions, or just a shoulder to lean on, I know.

Thoughts are with you.
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

I'm so sorry to hear this news. Please keep us updated.

Melissa

Peejpm... my apologies for not getting on the computer sooner. I am sorry to read that Abby has been diagnosed with glaucoma. Please.... keep this in mind.... it is NOT a death sentence for Abby. Many many Shibas have been diagnosed with glaucoma and in recent years it has come to the forefront of being prevelant in this breed but has been kept quiet due to the reputable breeders out there not wanting to admit there are problems in their breeding lines. It is now widely stated that all Shiba Inus be tested for glaucoma beginning at age 4. I would also urge all members here who have not had their Shibas tested to do so.

I have been going through this very same thing with my Beni for over three years now. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask and I will answer them as best as I can. I can also direct you to a Yahoo Group that was set up to discuss glaucoma in Shibas. If you are interested just click on my name(Shboom) and I will send you the link in email.

Glaucoma is called the silent theif. It slowly robs the sight and is a relentless and progressive disease that is also very painful. As of right now there is now cure. If caught early enough it can be controlled somewhat with medications. Most owners do not realize there is a problem until their dog is totally blind. Although you may think you are to late it was good that you caught this when you did and it is now imperative to save the sight in Abby's remaining good eye.

You didn't specifically make mention of what type of surgery Abby has gone through. Was it an evisceration or enucleation? Did any of the doctors perform a pressure test and if so what were the readings? A reading of 15 to 25 is considered normal. Anything more than this is what causes the damage to the optic nerve and results in blindness. Primary glaucoma is generally caused by the blockage of the drain angles in the eye. This blockage stops the fluid being produced in the eye from draining properly. This results in the build up of pressure and can be quite painful if the readings get very high.

While this is all very distressing keep in mind that dogs do very well with low vision or even no vision. Abby will get along very well just like Beni has. It's always more traumatic for us than it is on the dogs.

Please continue to post updates on Abby's progress and again please ask any questions that you can think of. You can also do a search of my user name to read my posts of Beni over the last three years.
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Thank you everyone for your kind words. My baby girl is at the vet now getting ready for surgery. I forgot the paperwork at home, but she will still have her eye, the surgery "kills" it. I can't remember the correct word. I have started the drops in her right eye to hopefully prevent or prolong the glaucoma in that eye. Her reading on her left eye was at 70!!!!! It is only down to 60 today. Poor poor little baby. I feel so awful! She has been so great. I can't wait for her to come home, have some food and water and snuggle with me. I am reading all the updates on Beni. You have such great information. Thanks so much for your reply and all your time you put into letting us all know what is going on. I will keep everyone updated on how GREAT Abby is doing later! Oh, her right eye was at 15 today. So, that is good! Yay! I am going to keep a close watch on it.

Prayers for both you and Abby. Let us know when you have her back home with you.
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

Please let us know how the surgery on the eye went and how well Abby is doing. With a pressure reading of 70 in that eye she will be so happy to not have that pain anymore. The 15 reading in the right is fantastic and with the proper meds she should be okay for a long time. Please try and not beat yourself up... I have been there and it doesn't change anything. The best we can do for ourselves is knowing we are doing the best for our dogs!
Please do monitor that right eye everyday. You should set a schedule with your vet to have the eye tested every 5 to 8 weeks or so. Watch for any signs of discharge... discoloration... pawing or squinting. These can all be signs of pressure spikes.
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Ok, so now I know squinting is a sign of pressure. My husband and I were talking and were wondering if she has had signs for a while and we just didn't know. She would be sitting next to us and would squint her eyes and close them like she was falling asleep. We always laughed cuz we though it was cute. She reminded us of his mom who can sleep sitting up! So, do you think she was having problems and that is why she was doing it? That would mean her right eye is bothering her too though.

Just keep watch on the right eye. She may just be falling asleep! Try to relax and not worry. Easy to say, hard to do!
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

Welllll... Abby could have just been falling asleep if both eyes were closing. Generally it would be one eye or the other if Abby were having a pressure spike. Another classic sign would be if Abby were to look for a dark place to be in... avoiding lighted areas. Now that you know some of the signs to look for in time you will be able to tell the difference between sleepy eyes and squinting eyes. With a pressure reading of 15 I highly doubt she was squinting her right eye.
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.