Eye problem in Jack russell terrier
by Marilyn
(Rockford, IL)
Buster has a history of chronic skin allergies. We have tried several treatments, but the most successful have been steroid injections (depo medrol) approx. every 8 weeks along with benadryl for many years at this point.
His diet is primarily Iams weight control dry food mixed with lean ground beef or turkey. He is an 8 year old male jack russell terrier.
In early March I noticed that his eye was half shut at times and then it appeared to be grayish in color - his skin allergies were starting up again so I took him in to the vet on March 14th to get an injection and have his eye looked at.
The vet stained his eye and did not see any injury and prescribed an eye ointment 2x per day for 1 week (neomycin and polymixin B sulfates, bacitracin zinc and hydrocortisone ointment) which seemed to clear up the inflammation, although the eye still looked cloudy. The eye flared up again at the beginning of April and I applied the ointment for about 3 days and again it seemed to improve.
By April 9th it was again inflamed and the vet said to try the ointment and we made an appt for April 12th. By April 12th (after 5 days of treatment) the eye was worse than ever and Buster had a fever of 102 and had stopped eating - he was listless and needed to be carried outside.
The vet did blood work that only showed slightly elevated liver enzymes and glucose (which she thought could be due to the stress he was under). I was advised to continue the ointment and she also prescribed Atropine drops for the pain.
He has also been wearing a collar for 4 days since his last vet visit. His appetite and behavior have improved and as of today his eye is open but weepy and it is very gray in color. I'm not sure how well it shows in the photo.
I am concerned that his other eye may be showing signs of the grayness. We have an appt with an ophthalmologist on Monday the 18th. The picture is from today. I have read a lot online about various eye problems and I'm not sure any of them apply to what is going on with Buster.
Could this be related to the years of steroid injections? I've also read about detached lenses in Jack russells, could that be? I would appreciate any advise or suggestions for treatment and also what things to ask or be aware of when we visit the eye specialist on Monday.
Thank you in advance!!
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