Scooby172 Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 I've been posting about my 5 year old grey/whippet mix who has been struggling with uveitis since the end of December. We have seen a vet opthamologist who requested a lot of blood work to rule out TBD's, including /rmsf, fungal diseases and toxoplasmosis. Additional full blood work panel was done and came back normal as did all the other blood work. Keeva is being treated (directed by the opthamologist) with prenisolone eye drops 3x/day. Vet opthamologist not overly concerned with the diagnosis, neither is my grey savvy vet who I have been seeing for many years (sometimes you find out what is causing the uveitis, sometimes you don't and just have to treat it). I brought Keeva back to the vet on Saturday (not scheduled) as her one eye was red, swollen, closed and very watery (not normal since being on the eye drops). New, very young vet saw her and was very concerned, actually said, "I would now "F" around with this", if this were my dog I would bring her to Cornell for an eval." Now, I have a follow up visit with the opthamologist I have been seeing in two weeks, which I will keep. I am concerned that Keeva is continuing to have these flare ups with the uveitits and seems to be in pain. New young vet increased the pred drops to 4x/day and put her on Atropine which really does not agree with her. Keeva is doing well today, seems to be in less pain but is much more lethargic. I have agrred to a consult at Cornell whenever it can be scheduled but am confused and worried. Any opinions would be appreciated as to what you would do if it were your dog. Thanks Linda, Valor, Keeva and Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Boy it does sound confusing. Sometimes new vets are a little too wet behind the ears to know what only experience can teach. But sometimes older vets get stuck in a rut and can't see the forest for the trees and sometimes it takes a fresh look to realize that it's not a normal situation. Other than money, it can't hurt to go to Cornell. It is after all a teaching hospital. And no doctor worth his salt should be upset by you getting a second opinion. It means they have a smart client. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazehund Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Being it is her eye, I would take her to Cornell Linda. The brand new vets are confounding to me. They have just graduated and are (or should be) "up to date" on the newest treatments and options. On the other hand, they are lacking in practical experience. If your primary vet is not too worried, I would see what the staff at Cornell have to say. I am sorry darling Keeva is not feeling well. Please let us know what goes on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HeatherDemps Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 This is definitely confusing, but I'm a firm believer in being safe, rather than sorry. Other than being out some money, another consult can't hurt anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trudy Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 If you are bringing her to Cornell, call now to make your apt. Cornell can take a while to get into depending on who you need to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby172 Posted March 10, 2008 Author Share Posted March 10, 2008 If you are bringing her to Cornell, call now to make your apt. Cornell can take a while to get into depending on who you need to see. The vet was going to call today to make the referral, thanks for the heads up. Linda, Valor, Keeva and Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby172 Posted March 11, 2008 Author Share Posted March 11, 2008 UPDATE New vet called this morning to check on Keeva and discuss treatment plan. Referral is being made to Cornell, waiting on a call back. New vet, who used to practice in Canada called a vet opthamologist colleague of his in Toronto. The other vet opthamologist suggested starting Keeva on Doxycycline and also doing a blood test for pancreatitis. I'm bringing her back today for more blood work. Linda, Valor, Keeva and Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 what does the pancreatitis test have to do with her eyes? how weird... Quote Michelle...forever missing her girls, Holly 5/22/99-9/13/10 and Bailey 8/1/93-7/11/05 Religion is the smile on a dog...Edie Brickell Wag more, bark less :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Cris_M Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Personally, I would feel very encouraged that the new, young vet called up a trusted and skilled colleague (and specialist) to discuss Keeva's case. In a sense, you now have 2 vets encouraging you to go to Cornell. If the money isn't an issue and if the Doxy/blood test don't make a difference before the Cornell appointment, I would go. Teaching hospitals are amazing places and you will feel more sure of Keeva's disease process and prognosis after going. Also, once they have seen Keeva at Cornell, your vet will be able to call them and ask for assistance without you necessarily having to go back. That means lots of vets on Keeva's side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby172 Posted March 11, 2008 Author Share Posted March 11, 2008 what does the pancreatitis test have to do with her eyes? how weird... My understanding is that uveitis can be a symptom of pancreatitis. Linda, Valor, Keeva and Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MZH Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 I just saw a show on Discovery Health ("Mystery Diagnosis") about a young man whose problems started with uveitis. He also had racking pain off and on. After several years of not knowing what was wrong with him, it turned out he had a genetic variation plus an old infection. He has the HLA-27 gene. That plus an old infection caused reactive arthritis and the eye problem. (I have this crazy gene too so I was really intrigued by that; I actually guessed what was wrong with him before they revealed it on the show.) They treated the long-standing infection that had gone in and out of remission and he was finally healthy again. No more uveitis either. It's amazing how uveitis is really a symptom of something totally unrelated to the eye. Glad you're going to Cornell. Marcia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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