Glaucoma

[Guest kat47kat]

I have an 8 year old male who has recently been diagnosed with glaucoma. In the last 2 weeks i have spent over $2000.00 on drops and exams. so far still have many unanswered questions on treatments, long-term, and if curious if anyone has found anyway to purchase human medications at a lower cost for pets (drops are looking to cost about 500.00 a month)

 

If anyone has been through this, please write - boehtringer@cox.net or reply on forum.

[Guest kat47kat]

also, I need to add i am concerned about the cost as much as what this is doing my baby. How much pain is being felt is really unknown, is there more tests, or procedures that anyone has heard of that may help(so far he is almost blind in onyl one eye). I would also be happy to take him just about anywhere if anyone knows of a good dog opthomologist. I live in cental CT and the closest I have found is 1 - 1/2 hours away in Wilton CT. he has never treated a greyhound before. Thank-you.

[Greytlady94]

Definitely take your boy to an ophthalmologist, he needs to be examined by a specialist. Tufts University Veterinary School shouldn't be too difficult to get to and they will surely have ophthalmologists on staff.

 

If human medications are being used, they may be less expensive if a prescription is filled at a drug store like Walgreens then getting them through the vet clinic. My veterinarian will always write a prescription when it is for something that she doesn't routinely carry since she knows I can get it for less at the drug store.

[Guest kat47kat]

thanks, I have taken him to an opthomologist in Wilton Ct. that is the person who has never seen a greyhound. And he seemed to be a little nervous of the size of him. He has him on 4 different drops, and still cannot get the pressure down to a level where the doig is not out of pain.His recommendation was removing the eyes and putting in prostetic eyes or doing the drops, which will buy us 6 - 8 months or so of sight in one eye...and after that the drops just help to releive the pain. researching on the web, they list Greyhounds as a breed prone to glaucoma, Just have neve seen anyone writing about it. I am concerned about the long term, home he will get around, etc. He still runs everyday, but if I am not there at all times, he is walking into walls, trees, people, etc,

 

I had my last round of drops filled at Walgreens, still the same price, but will continur my search.

[macoduck]

Kat47kat, you don't have enough posts to PM yet but I will give Burpdog and Dr Feeman a head's up on your post........

[feemandvm]

Seeing an ophthalmologist is the best thing which you have already done. If you are uncomfortable wtih this one... any chance you could see another? Maybe one at Tufts as someone else recommended? There are multiple causes and treatments for glaucoma but it will depend on the underlying cause. Most common treatments include:

 

1. Trusopt (topical eye drop)

2. Timolol (topical eye drop)

3. Methazolamide (oral medication)

4. Prednisone (topical and/or oral if inflammation is suspected)

5. Xalatan (topical eye drop; not indicated in every case of glaucoma)

6. Surgical or laser treatments performed by an ophthalmologist

 

There are others but these are some of hte more common treatments. The Xalatan is REALLY expensive (about $1/drop) but is also probably the most potent. If you cannot control the pressures with medications/surgery/laser than the only other options are enucleation (removing the eye/eyes) or euthanasia. The pain associated with glaucoma is very intense.

 

I would really consider the 2nd opinion at Tufts and try to get in ASAP so you really know all of your options. If you cannot get in to see the ophthalmologist due to no open scheduling... sometimes you can cheat the system and get seen on emergency and get worked in sooner.

 

I hope you are able to get your pup more comfortable!!!

 

 

[Guest kat47kat]

Seeing an ophthalmologist is the best thing which you have already done. If you are uncomfortable wtih this one... any chance you could see another? Maybe one at Tufts as someone else recommended? There are multiple causes and treatments for glaucoma but it will depend on the underlying cause. Most common treatments include:

 

1. Trusopt (topical eye drop)

2. Timolol (topical eye drop)

3. Methazolamide (oral medication)

4. Prednisone (topical and/or oral if inflammation is suspected)

5. Xalatan (topical eye drop; not indicated in every case of glaucoma)

6. Surgical or laser treatments performed by an ophthalmologist

 

There are others but these are some of hte more common treatments. The Xalatan is REALLY expensive (about $1/drop) but is also probably the most potent. If you cannot control the pressures with medications/surgery/laser than the only other options are enucleation (removing the eye/eyes) or euthanasia. The pain associated with glaucoma is very intense.

 

I would really consider the 2nd opinion at Tufts and try to get in ASAP so you really know all of your options. If you cannot get in to see the ophthalmologist due to no open scheduling... sometimes you can cheat the system and get seen on emergency and get worked in sooner.

 

I hope you are able to get your pup more comfortable!!!

 

 

thank-you

 

 

[Guest SillyDog]

Good luck for you and your greyhound!

[Guest kat47kat]

Seeing an ophthalmologist is the best thing which you have already done. If you are uncomfortable wtih this one... any chance you could see another? Maybe one at Tufts as someone else recommended? There are multiple causes and treatments for glaucoma but it will depend on the underlying cause. Most common treatments include:

 

1. Trusopt (topical eye drop)

2. Timolol (topical eye drop)

3. Methazolamide (oral medication)

4. Prednisone (topical and/or oral if inflammation is suspected)

5. Xalatan (topical eye drop; not indicated in every case of glaucoma)

6. Surgical or laser treatments performed by an ophthalmologist

 

There are others but these are some of hte more common treatments. The Xalatan is REALLY expensive (about $1/drop) but is also probably the most potent. If you cannot control the pressures with medications/surgery/laser than the only other options are enucleation (removing the eye/eyes) or euthanasia. The pain associated with glaucoma is very intense.

 

I would really consider the 2nd opinion at Tufts and try to get in ASAP so you really know all of your options. If you cannot get in to see the ophthalmologist due to no open scheduling... sometimes you can cheat the system and get seen on emergency and get worked in sooner.

 

I hope you are able to get your pup more comfortable!!!

 

 

thank-you

 

 

He is currently on:

Xalatan - 3 times a day

Timolol - 3 times a day

Cosopt - 3 times a day

Neomycin and Polymyxin b Sulfates and Dexamethasone Opthalmic Suspension - 3 times a day

 

 

I cant say I am uncomfortable with this one...just unsure and wondering if there is something more that could be done, something else I should be doing. friday we had chest films done and a whole slew of titers run. All came up negative, and chest films were clear. They are assuming it is hereditary, since there appears to be no other underlying cause.

 

His pressure was still up to 48 on friday, so he just added the Timolol....hopefully that will bring the pressure down. It was at 98 when it was discovered.

 

Thank you for the information, I will call tufts on Tuesday....maybe a second opinion would make me feel better, now it seems like there is something else I should be doing.....And also unsure how long I will be able to keep up the $400 - 500 a month in drops and retests every 2 weeks at $170.00.....right now this is not my main concern, making him comfortable is.

 

 

 

Seeing an ophthalmologist is the best thing which you have already done. If you are uncomfortable wtih this one... any chance you could see another? Maybe one at Tufts as someone else recommended? There are multiple causes and treatments for glaucoma but it will depend on the underlying cause. Most common treatments include:

 

1. Trusopt (topical eye drop)

2. Timolol (topical eye drop)

3. Methazolamide (oral medication)

4. Prednisone (topical and/or oral if inflammation is suspected)

5. Xalatan (topical eye drop; not indicated in every case of glaucoma)

6. Surgical or laser treatments performed by an ophthalmologist

 

There are others but these are some of hte more common treatments. The Xalatan is REALLY expensive (about $1/drop) but is also probably the most potent. If you cannot control the pressures with medications/surgery/laser than the only other options are enucleation (removing the eye/eyes) or euthanasia. The pain associated with glaucoma is very intense.

 

I would really consider the 2nd opinion at Tufts and try to get in ASAP so you really know all of your options. If you cannot get in to see the ophthalmologist due to no open scheduling... sometimes you can cheat the system and get seen on emergency and get worked in sooner.

 

I hope you are able to get your pup more comfortable!!!

 

 

thank-you

 

 

He is currently on:

Xalatan - 3 times a day

Timolol - 3 times a day

Cosopt - 3 times a day

Neomycin and Polymyxin b Sulfates and Dexamethasone Opthalmic Suspension - 3 times a day

 

 

I cant say I am uncomfortable with this one...just unsure and wondering if there is something more that could be done, something else I should be doing. friday we had chest films done and a whole slew of titers run. All came up negative, and chest films were clear. They are assuming it is hereditary, since there appears to be no other underlying cause.

 

His pressure was still up to 48 on friday, so he just added the Timolol....hopefully that will bring the pressure down. It was at 98 when it was discovered.

 

Thank you for the information, I will call tufts on Tuesday....maybe a second opinion would make me feel better, now it seems like there is something else I should be doing.....And also unsure how long I will be able to keep up the $400 - 500 a month in drops and retests every 2 weeks at $170.00.....right now this is not my main concern, making him comfortable is.

 

do you happen to know what can be accomplished by laser treatments?

 

Good luck for you and your greyhound!

thank-you

[Batmom]

Completely ignorant. It is worth checking into the price of human meds, tho, and talking to Tufts if it's reasonably close to you. Here at least, exams and some tests are cheaper thru the university.

 

Hugs and luck.

[Guest darlene]

Sending prayers for your boy.

 

 

[Burpdog]

The only dog I had with glacoma was a Dane. The end result was blindness in that eye and removal of the eye.

 

I would get the second opinion at Tufts (or if close to you -- I didn't check your location the U of Penn or Cornell).

 

You can search meds and if you find a more reasonable price, ask for a prescription.

 

also, you can email Ohio State to ask for an opinion and if they know anyone in your area that you can get a second opinion from.

 

Sending prayers!

[Guest kat47kat]

The only dog I had with glacoma was a Dane. The end result was blindness in that eye and removal of the eye.

 

I would get the second opinion at Tufts (or if close to you -- I didn't check your location the U of Penn or Cornell).

 

You can search meds and if you find a more reasonable price, ask for a prescription.

 

also, you can email Ohio State to ask for an opinion and if they know anyone in your area that you can get a second opinion from.

 

Sending prayers!

thank-you.

[feemandvm]

One option is you can see if your rescue group can order the drops at cost for you if they have a vet that orders medications for them. You can also write hte manufacturer of hte drug and see if they can provide a discount for your pet as I believe most of hte gluacoma medications are human medications that we just use in veterinary medicine.

 

Are you sure that you are using "CoSopt" and not "Trusopt"? The reason I ask is that Cosopt is a combination of Trusopt + Timolol and you mentioned in your post you were giving Timolol and Cosopt. Xalatan is really the strongest drop that they have so it is concerning if the pressures are still elevated despite its use.

 

Few thoughts:

 

1. Ask your vet about using Methazolamide. I know some specialists believe that it is unnecessary to use if you have them on a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (Trusopt) but others will use both in conjunction and I've seen pressures improve with the addition of Methazolamide. If the vet says "I don't think ti will help." Ask them you'd like to try it unless they feel it would be likely to hurt.

 

2. Ask if they think trying Prednisone drops instead of TAB w/ Dexamehtasone may be of benefit. Probably not a big difference but can't hurt to ask.

 

3. Still pursue the 2nd opinion just for peace of mind.

 

4. Contact the manufacturer of Xalatan and see if they can work with you in anyway.

 

 

[Guest kat47kat]

One option is you can see if your rescue group can order the drops at cost for you if they have a vet that orders medications for them. You can also write hte manufacturer of hte drug and see if they can provide a discount for your pet as I believe most of hte gluacoma medications are human medications that we just use in veterinary medicine.

 

Are you sure that you are using "CoSopt" and not "Trusopt"? The reason I ask is that Cosopt is a combination of Trusopt + Timolol and you mentioned in your post you were giving Timolol and Cosopt. Xalatan is really the strongest drop that they have so it is concerning if the pressures are still elevated despite its use.

 

Few thoughts:

 

1. Ask your vet about using Methazolamide. I know some specialists believe that it is unnecessary to use if you have them on a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (Trusopt) but others will use both in conjunction and I've seen pressures improve with the addition of Methazolamide. If the vet says "I don't think ti will help." Ask them you'd like to try it unless they feel it would be likely to hurt.

 

2. Ask if they think trying Prednisone drops instead of TAB w/ Dexamehtasone may be of benefit. Probably not a big difference but can't hurt to ask.

 

3. Still pursue the 2nd opinion just for peace of mind.

 

4. Contact the manufacturer of Xalatan and see if they can work with you in anyway.

thank-you - i will ask about those. I am really not feeling good about this on friday his pressures were 40 on the right 18 on the left, and suddenly this afternoon, he appears to have gotten much worse, left eye is barely open, and he is walking into everythign tonight. It appears as though he cannot see at all. Just tried holding a piece of cheese in front of him, which he loves, and he walked right into it.

 

 

I wwould like to thank everyone for their thoughts, information and prayers. This is my first time on Greytalk, apparently I have been very lucky and have had no major problems with my boy.....Such a wonderful group of people.

 

[Greytlady94]

I hope your boy will get some relief.

[Guest Winterwish]

Oh I'm very sorry this is happening to your boy,and will be keeping him in my thoughts and prayers.

[Guest kat47kat]

Oh I'm very sorry this is happening to your boy,and will be keeping him in my thoughts and prayers.

Pressues are bad in both eyes now. Since last friday it has progressed to the other eye. We have tested for Toxo but will not have results for a week, and started drops in the previously good eye. Back to specialist on Monday. Still trying to get an appt. at Tufts.

 

Thank-you all for all of your thoughts and prayers.

[Batmom]

I'm sorry to hear things aren't going better. Sending some hugs. What a difficult time for you and your pupper.