Rickiesmom Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 (edited) A friend in Alberta posted about this hound on a whippet board we both belong to - vets so far are stumped. Initially this was diagnosed as a blepharitis infection, but it was unresponsive to combined topical and oral antibiotic treatment for 10 days (I have asked which abx) along with warm compresses 4 times per day. This treatment has had no material effect, and the vet is now suggesting an eyelid biopsy (for $1600!!) to see if it is an auto-immune issue. The owner originally thought the dog had bumped itself as the area around the eye started out a bit swollen and blueish. It has now turned red and scabby. The eye itself is apparently fine and the dog is acting normal otherwise. Has anyone seen anything like this, and if so, what was it, and how was it successfully treated? Thank you for your help - that much swelling has got to be painful - the sooner this poor baby can be helped the better. Edited October 14, 2011 by Rickiesmom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tallgreydogmom Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 I would contact Ohio State University. They have eye specialist available. https://greyhound.osu.edu/consultationservice/ Quote Then God sent the Greyhound to live among man and remember. And when the Day comes, God will call the Greyhound to give Testament, and God will pass judgment on man. (Persian Proverb) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 OH........poor baby. That looks so miserable. Hope they get some answers soon. Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 (edited) Mites, yeast infection, pemphigus? Any problem with the eyelashes becoming ingrown? Looks similar to this horse Edited October 9, 2011 by macoduck Quote Freshy (Droopys Fresh), NoAh the podenco orito, Howie the portuguese podengo maneto Angels: Rita the podenco maneta, Lila, the podenco, Mr X aka Denali, Lulu the podenco andaluz, Hada the podenco maneta, Georgie Girl (UMR Cordella), Charlie the iggy, Mazy (CBR Crazy Girl), Potato, my mystery ibizan girl, Allen (M's Pretty Boy), Percy (Fast But True), Mikey (Doray's Patuti), Pudge le mutt, Tessa the iggy, Possum (Apostle), Gracie (Dusty Lady), Harold (Slatex Harold), "Cousin" Simon our step-iggy, Little Dude the iggy ,Bandit (Bb Blue Jay), Niña the galgo, Wally (Allen Hogg), Thane (Pog Mo Thoine), Oliver (JJ Special Agent), Comet, & Rosie our original mutt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 I would seek a Derm vets advise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LindsaySF Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 Mites, yeast infection, pemphigus? Agreed. Could be a lot of things. Did they do a skin scraping or culture? A dermatologist might be a good idea at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeh2o Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 No idea, but poor baby, it looks awful. I agree, consult w/OSU on Mon! Quote Sunsands Doodles: Doodles aka Claire, Bella Run Softly: Softy aka Bowie (the Diamond Dog) Missing my beautiful boy Sunsands Carl 2.25.2003 - 4.1.2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 spider bite? I agree with others above, do an OSU consult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudzu Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Is it safe to assume they have done repeated skin scrapings? Did a culture not come back with anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 tick disease can cause weird auto-immune type issues, though I would expect it to affect both eyes and maybe some other orifices as well. But, worth a shot to test if everything else has been exhausted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Yuck! Poor dog. Does OSU offer their free consultations to Whippets? I assume, since this dog is on a Whippet board, it's not a Greyhound. I was under the impression that their consultation services were for owners of retired racing Greyhounds? Perhaps I'm wrong? My only familiarity with them is via the Greyhound Wellness Program. My first thought was spider bite. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamngrey Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 No help here but sending prayers Quote Cassie: Pikes Clara Bell Swoop: My Man Swoop BRIDGE ANGELS Psi:WD'S Aleford 3/17/00-4/25/10 Snowman: Gable Snowman 1/9/96-2/14/08 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3greytjoys Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 (edited) This was the initial diagnosis but maybe reading this could help the owner think of some other possibilities that might result in a different medication? http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/30106.htm (I though about ringworm also but I haven't seen the excessive swelling with ringworm.) Any culture test results by now? Edited October 13, 2011 by 3greytjoys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IrskasMom Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 No Advice just Prayers and Hugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudzu Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 (edited) What about lupus? I know it most often shows up on the nose first but not all dogs follow that pattern. Could it not show up on the eyelid first? ETA: discoid lupus is what I mean Edited October 13, 2011 by kudzu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 (edited) (I though about ringworm also but I haven't seen the excessive swelling with ringworm That is what I thought of when I saw it. I have seen swelling with ringworm, however it was on a nose. $1600 for a biopsy is ridiculous. Is that from their own vet or specialist? Edited October 13, 2011 by Burpdog Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted October 14, 2011 Author Share Posted October 14, 2011 Here is an update: "The new vet she saw on Tuesday immediately took skin scrapings and cultures of the affected area and also did a culture on the eye itself. He also did a dye test of some sort on the eye (not sure what it was for though) and did a thorough examination of the ye itself. Thankfully the eye is in good shape and not affected at all. He thinks she has a really nasty case of ringworm! (There has been an huge outbreak of ringworm in some areas of Alberta this fall.) He put her on oral meds for the ringworm, and 5mg of prednisone a day to reduce the swelling. He opted not to prescribe any ointment, as it is just too close to her eye. After two days on the pred the swelling is now completely gone and the redness is going away. They should have all the cultures back by next uesday when she goes in for a recheck." Thank you all for your suggestions - some of you definitely nailed it! I know everyone who saw that photo will share my relief that the inflammation and redness are going away. It hurt just looking at it, it must have been miserable to endure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudzu Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 Oh, thank goodness. Hopefully it really is ringworm & is responding to both the pred & the antifungal. At the very least she is getting some relief. Very good news. Those GTers are smart ones, no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 That is very encouraging news Mary. I'm so glad there has been improvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 So glad to hear it wasn't the bad thing I thought it was. Quote Freshy (Droopys Fresh), NoAh the podenco orito, Howie the portuguese podengo maneto Angels: Rita the podenco maneta, Lila, the podenco, Mr X aka Denali, Lulu the podenco andaluz, Hada the podenco maneta, Georgie Girl (UMR Cordella), Charlie the iggy, Mazy (CBR Crazy Girl), Potato, my mystery ibizan girl, Allen (M's Pretty Boy), Percy (Fast But True), Mikey (Doray's Patuti), Pudge le mutt, Tessa the iggy, Possum (Apostle), Gracie (Dusty Lady), Harold (Slatex Harold), "Cousin" Simon our step-iggy, Little Dude the iggy ,Bandit (Bb Blue Jay), Niña the galgo, Wally (Allen Hogg), Thane (Pog Mo Thoine), Oliver (JJ Special Agent), Comet, & Rosie our original mutt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3greytjoys Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 (edited) I thought about ringworm but I haven't seen the excessive swelling with ringworm. That is what I thought of when I saw it. I have seen swelling with ringworm, however it was on a nose. $1600 for a biopsy is ridiculous. Burpdog, thanks for the reply re: that you have seen swelling with ringworm. Good to know. Yea! I'm so glad they diagnosed it so that poor dog will have relief. If anyone is interested: The ringworm fungus is very contagious from skin to skin contact, towels, etc. The spores can live for up to one year, so it's important to clean dog bedding and towels, etc. with an appropriate anti-fungal solution. I went to different doctors for 6 months before it was diagnosed and treated on my face!! I finally diagnosed it myself back in the day of researching through medical "books." I went back to the original doctor with the name of the medication I needed. It worked perfectly. I may have picked up ringworm fungal spores from gardening (in dirt) then touched my face with my hand. Now, I try to wear gloves when digging, and I try not to touch my face. Hopefully, the owner will figure out where the dog got it to prevent a repeating problem. Here's a link re: ringworm fungus (it's not a worm): http://pets.webmd.co...s/dog-ringworms Edited October 14, 2011 by 3greytjoys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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