CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Health => Topic started by: JaspersMum on January 11, 2007, 08:49:40 PM
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Louie's eyes have always drooped and look very red, especially when he is tired. It has got better as he gets older and his head changes shape - he is now 6 months old.
Louie is due at the vets for his 6 month check up on Saturday and I was going to ask whether we should look at doing anything about it, I think I read somewhere about stitches to tighten the eye up and prevent infections getting in.
His eye weeps sometimes and the discharge has caused a little discolouration to the hair at the corner of his eye. Louie is not a show dog and will not be used for breeding in case this makes any difference.
What is your advice? Should we interfere or how long should we leave it before the head/eyes are no longer going to change the situation?
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i180/jaspersmum/PC170082a.jpg)(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i180/jaspersmum/PC230013a.jpg)
Sometimes it looks OK
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i180/jaspersmum/P1010047.jpg)
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Droopy eyelids (or ectropion ) can cause problems - but it's hard to tell from the photos if this is what Jasper has - it looks to me like he could have unpigmented third eyelids. Usually the third eyelid is brown and blends in with the rest of the eye, but when it's unpigmented you can see the white of the eye - when the dog is tired it will look slightly red. Misty has one unpigmented 3rd eyelid, many Cockers do - but it's purely cosmetic and doesn't cause any health problems.
Do the eyelids actually droop, so they curl outwards ? It's probably best toi ask the vet about it, as you say, just to be sure.
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Was going to say the same as Colin. Nancy has the same. Its pretty common in parti colours and nothing to worry about :D
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Coco had entropian which is where the eyelid turns inwards and causes constant irritation. Her eyes were always watering and didn't look fully open. She had the op the rectify it at a year old when they thought it would not correct itself. Has been a big success and her eyes are much better now. From what you say though, I am not sure this is the same as Louie has. I would deffo speak to the vet and see what they say - if he has entropian, I would have thought they would have pointed it out to you by now ;)
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Coco had entropian which is where the eyelid turns inwards and causes constant irritation. Her eyes were always watering and didn't look fully open. She had the op the rectify it at a year old when they thought it would not correct itself. Has been a big success and her eyes are much better now. From what you say though, I am not sure this is the same as Louie has. I would deffo speak to the vet and see what they see - if he has entropian, I would have thought they would have pointed it out to you by now ;)
Thats what I thought, Jasper had Cherry eye before I had him so I am constantly looking in case Louie develops a probem. However despite going every month for his weigh in and check-ups when eyes have always been the same and often quite red, there has been no hint of "watch out for" or "we'll need to do".
However Jaspers Lumps had the same reaction until I questioned the vet, then we were all into biopsy and removal (all turned out to be benign) but I'm not sure who's leading who in being proactive.
Therefore I'd like to go armed with the sort of potential problems and your expert views so I know what to ask and that we are not doing something un nescessary OR leaving something we should've dealt with. Thanks guys
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Certainly won't hurt to ask at the vets if you're going anyway..make the trip worthwhile!
Crackers always had droopy eyelids, and if she was really tired they would droop more and be red. Never caused her a bit of problems in 15 years, other than occasionally getting something in them.
Made for some comical pictures and comments, she would look like she'd partied too much! :005:
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My Sam has droopy dry eyes. He quite often has lots of gunk in them too. He has drops everyday and always will. The vet can measure the water in his eyes and let you know. I would get it checked if I was you. Our vet told us that dry eye can cause scratches on the surface of the eye and can eventually lead to blindness so you really do need to get treatment to add moisture.
I have had a few disputes with the vet. We get Optimmune which fixes the problem. It is quite expensive (about £30 a tube) At one point he was given fake tears (a fraction of the cost) and they gave a better result. She put him back on the Optimmune which I am not too happy about.
Take him along in case it is a moisture problem.
I hope he is okay.
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Mollie is exactly the same !
She always looks sad, and one eye weeps and have caused a discolouration on her face.
I asked my vet about it, but her dad had the same eyes, he said it was ok as they dont seem to fit together when pups anyway.
She is now older and still the same, they seem get more droopy as the day goes on.
They dont seem to cause distress or irritation, im just taking it as a characteristic of my little droppy eyed pup. :luv:
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Scooby's eyes are the same - droopy and red. I must admit, I was very concerned when I first got him but, as the others have said, it's very common (I have been told that it is especially common in blue roans) and, tbh, I think it makes them more cute and sad looking :005:
When we went to look at Misty though, her eyes were the first thing I looked at, and luckily her rims are really tight :D
Like you, I did check with the vet when he was a pup and the vet reassured me that it's nothing to worry about.
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Jake has droopy red eyes too. He has also been diagnosed with dry eyes. He has articificial tear drops twice daily (viscotears) and this really improves his eyes. They rarely look red and droopy with these eye drops.
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Thanks for all the comments - sometimes I kick myself for not looking more at the eyes although as Lou had just had a sleep when we got there he was probably wide eyes and bushy "stump" anyway. I didn't know that it was particularly common in blue roans though - you would think it was a breed issue rather than colour linked. Presumably if it's pigmentation, thats the colour link in genes?
I don't always notice it on Louie anyway, as you say it is part of him and it's not until we've taken a photo that it looks like he's been on a alcohol binge session! (Or perhaps he has - I wondered were the port went at Christmas).
I just like going to the vets armed with information, makes me feel that I'm not being ripped off. That said I do have confidence with the practice having been with their other branch for many years during which my then horse was stabled at a senior partners (great as he taught me how to do injections and like probably saving me a fortune).
I'll let you know what the vet says on Saturday.
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I didn't know that it was particularly common in blue roans though - you would think it was a breed issue rather than colour linked. Presumably if it's pigmentation, thats the colour link in genes?
If you're talking about unpigmented third eyelids, it's not blue roans particularly but particolours (lack of pigmentation in the third eyelids is thought to be connected with the presence of white markings in Boxers so the same is probably true of other breeds). You also see some solids with unpigmented third eyelids (they probably have particolour breeding in their recent ancestry though). There is a big difference between unpigmented third eyelids and droopy eyelids though - we've got a blue bitch who has both third eyelids unpigmented but you can barely notice it as her eyelids are so tight. If there is any droopiness, that's when the redness becomes much more noticeable.
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As I was at the vets today, Jasper had stitches out and Lou for 6 month check up, I asked them to look at eyes, typically today they looked nice and tight and no sign of the red rims. >:(
Anyway, the nurse couldn't comment, didn't seem to be any sign of turning in or out so we've left it that when I book him in for castration in about a month, they'll look more whilst he's there.
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My Jasper has droopy eyes too. Bless him looks much worse when he is tired a prooper ginger whinger :005: Our vet has had a look (she is interested in all things eye lucky for us) and has said he may need surgery when he is older (He is 5 today) and to leave things alone for now.
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Molo had the dry eye test last summer; he had constantly red and gunky eyes :(
His test came back inconclusive, we were told to keep "an eye" on it (no pun intended) and take him back if it didn't improve......I changed him to a raw diet not long afterwards, and within 6 weeks, they had cleared up completely :)
He was back on a processed food diet while were were away over Christmas, and within a week - gunky eyes again ::) Until then, I had thought it was a coincidence - but now I'm more convinced of the health benefits of raw feeding ,and its a lot cheaper than Optimmune ;)
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Indie has droopy eyes, and his aren't dry at all. Unless they were turning in, or he was getting infections(he's never had one)I wouldn't have anything done. His droop more if he's tired.
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Our beloved baby Chloe had really droopy eyes. I thought they made her look beautiful. She was lucky that she never had any trouble with her eyes. When she was diagnosed with AIHA, the droop was handy in a way because seeing those bright red droopy eys told me she was not suffering with a drop in her red cell count.
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Indie has droopy eyes, and his aren't dry at all. Unless they were turning in, or he was getting infections(he's never had one)I wouldn't have anything done. His droop more if he's tired.
Domino's eyes are the same as Indie;sometimes they weep a clear liquid but they've never caused him any problem so I tend to leave well enough alone. ;)
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Our beloved baby Chloe had really droopy eyes. I thought they made her look beautiful. She was lucky that she never had any trouble with her eyes. When she was diagnosed with AIHA, the droop was handy in a way because seeing those bright red droopy eys told me she was not suffering with a drop in her red cell count.
Hamish has this too-his yes are too tight to check, have to check his gums. ::)
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I did her gums too, just to be sure! It was a daily ritual, lids down, lips up!! Glad Hamish is still going strong pet ;)
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I did her gums too, just to be sure! It was a daily ritual, lids down, lips up!! Glad Hamish is still going strong pet ;)
Ah the joys of the ritual, eh? ::) I do it evry day too, especially if he's been running you can't tell them to rest- he's doing great thanks hon. :luv:
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Maudie is the same and shes a solid sometimes its ok it depends if she is tired or not really or how she looks at you!
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Are people saying that sometimes their dogs eyelids droop and sometimes they don't ? Or sometimes they just look droopy and sometimes they don't ? :huh: As I said earlier Misty has an unpigmented 3rd eyelid in one eye - but the eyelid is always tight to the eyeball. I'm no expert in this but it sounds strange that an eyelid can just occassionally droop - does that happen ?
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both of barkley's 3rd eyelids are unpigmented- it's really interesting to learn that it's probably due to his colouring. he has white markings and his mum is blue roan. it can be really creepy when he's sleeping as sometimes one of his main eyelids doesn't completely close and all you can see if white where it would normally be brown! freaks my oh out something chronic!! :005:
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Are people saying that sometimes their dogs eyelids droop and sometimes they don't ? Or sometimes they just look droopy and sometimes they don't ? :huh: As I said earlier Misty has an unpigmented 3rd eyelid in one eye - but the eyelid is always tight to the eyeball. I'm no expert in this but it sounds strange that an eyelid can just occassionally droop - does that happen ?
In my case, Indie, yes. Sometimes his eyes look really tight to the eyball, sometims they droop. I'll ask the vet at work on Tuesday, it is odd.
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Are people saying that sometimes their dogs eyelids droop and sometimes they don't ? Or sometimes they just look droopy and sometimes they don't ? :huh: As I said earlier Misty has an unpigmented 3rd eyelid in one eye - but the eyelid is always tight to the eyeball. I'm no expert in this but it sounds strange that an eyelid can just occassionally droop - does that happen ?
All I can say with Lou is if you look at the third photo at the start of this thread, his eyeball fits the shape of his eye, no red shows. However as the day goes on the eye exposed seems greater and there is definate redness around the base and this can show white which sounds a little like ali says in her post above (picture 1).
The eyes do not appear to irritate, Louie is not rubbing at them or seeming to have any discomfort and other than some tearstains this is probably not an issue. I am a little paranoid as Jasper had cherry eye prior to coming to us and that sounded horrendous when the ducts "popped out" so maybe I am looking for problems.
As I have said, he's going back for castration in about a month, so I will keep a check and the vets can look more closely when he's there. Unfortunately it was only the nurse today and, of course, the eye looked fine.
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both of barkley's 3rd eyelids are unpigmented- it's really interesting to learn that it's probably due to his colouring. he has white markings and his mum is blue roan. it can be really creepy when he's sleeping as sometimes one of his main eyelids doesn't completely close and all you can see if white where it would normally be brown! freaks my oh out something chronic!! :005:
Alfie's are the same, totally white. If he's sleepy and having a belly rub his eyes will half close and his third eyelid will roll across, it makes him look like a zombie with white eyes :o :005: I didn't realise that it was linked to his colouring either though, that's really interesting! :D
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Are people saying that sometimes their dogs eyelids droop and sometimes they don't ? Or sometimes they just look droopy and sometimes they don't ? :huh:
Domino's lids are quite loose & they do appear to turn slightly outwards;however if he's tired they do seem to be more noticeable & the rims look reddish.
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Are people saying that sometimes their dogs eyelids droop and sometimes they don't ? Or sometimes they just look droopy and sometimes they don't ? :huh: As I said earlier Misty has an unpigmented 3rd eyelid in one eye - but the eyelid is always tight to the eyeball. I'm no expert in this but it sounds strange that an eyelid can just occassionally droop - does that happen ?
Scooby's are always droopy - think everyone's talking about two differing conditions, drooping eyelids and unpigmented 3rd eyelids are two differing things, or they can go hand in hand. Scooby has just got droopy eyes :luv:
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Buddy has baggy eyes. Always droopy, no tight days and loose days at all.
He also has one unpigmented inner lid. That's sometimes shite and sometimes red, depending on how tired he is.
I think all this is normal. If he had a constant discharge I would get him checked out by the vet as he could have an infection. Or if he was obviously bothered by them (and pawing at them) I would suspect infection or dry eye.
I, too, think it would be odd for the droopiness to vary. It's a facial feature, like our noses etc. We wouldn't expect them to change shape day by day.
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I, too, think it would be odd for the droopiness to vary. It's a facial feature, like our noses etc. We wouldn't expect them to change shape day by day.
May be its a bit like us when we get bags under our eyes ::)
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Hi Dylan has these eyes
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k174/scjmk/th_P1000340.jpg) (http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k174/scjmk/P1000340.jpg)
Sometimes they are as bad as the pic above, and he always looks as if hes just been crying! He had his dangly bits off last Friday and I asked them to look at the eyes as well (I d rather he went under anesthetic just the once) they suggested that they could tighten them up by getting rid of a bit of skin in the bottom eye lid and then he would just need a stitch in to let it heal. They would under guess it, cos as he gets older (hes 7 months) the eyelid was likely to get tighter naturally. Although the first vet I saw about this a couple of months ago said his eyelid goes out, This vet said it also turns in at the top and therefore the eyes could get scratched from his eyelashes, the stitches come out in 8 more days but the discharge seems a lot less and his eyes more natural.
The only thing I would warn you of is the price, he cost £140ish for both eyes!!!
Sarah
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Thanks for the warning on price, kind of what I expected - have you tried to claim on insurance? I was wondering whether they will pay up as I assume they should if the vet advised the op to go ahead.
Will get them to look at Lou's as soon as he goes in for same op as Dylan. Like you rather one lot of anesthetic. Fortunately the lump on his head did turn out to be a histonoma that went on its own so one less inspection whilst he's there.
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Thanks for the warning on price, kind of what I expected - have you tried to claim on insurance? I was wondering whether they will pay up as I assume they should if the vet advised the op to go ahead.
Will get them to look at Lou's as soon as he goes in for same op as Dylan. Like you rather one lot of anesthetic. Fortunately the lump on his head did turn out to be a histonoma that went on its own so one less inspection whilst he's there.
I will be trying to claim on his insurance, just a bit worried cos he was treated for conjunctivitis at his 5 month check up (when he was under another insurance company), the vet seems to think that there should be no problem in claiming though, its just that initial outlay, its a good job they are worth it!
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I will be trying to claim on his insurance, just a bit worried cos he was treated for conjunctivitis at his 5 month check up (when he was under another insurance company), the vet seems to think that there should be no problem in claiming though, its just that initial outlay, its a good job they are worth it!
I know. I'm waiting for the insurance to come through for the biopsy and removal of the growth for Jasper - That was best part of £300 that I paid up front - no wonder I can't afford to feed the family this month - might be a good job the dogs having chicken wings, raw veg and moving towards BARF - I'll be making a stew this week ;)
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Ok Maudie has droopy eyes when she looks like this
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r29/lolajays/pics020.jpg)
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r29/lolajays/S5000024.jpg)
but not when she looks like this
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r29/lolajays/Picture037.jpg)
Is that her eyelid?????
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:lol: That bottom picture of Maudie is the exact same face Jarvis has when her looks up at you. Beautiful almond eyes :luv:
His eyes are also really droopy when his head is down, and when he's tired. I can only assume the eyes changing with head position is because of the weight of the ears pulling his skin? I know when he's on his back the whites of his eyes are really obvious and he looks like a fox, and that seems to be because of the ears... :huh:
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:lol: That bottom picture of Maudie is the exact same face Jarvis has when her looks up at you. Beautiful almond eyes :luv:
His eyes are also really droopy when his head is down, and when he's tired. I can only assume the eyes changing with head position is because of the weight of the ears pulling his skin? I know when he's on his back the whites of his eyes are really obvious and he looks like a fox, and that seems to be because of the ears... :huh:
Yes Maudie is exactly the same on her back!
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:luv: Give her some grouchy eyebrows and they could be twins! :lol:
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Jaspersmum,
just an update! Dylan's eyes are stll droppy, but sooooo much better and a lot less discharge.
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k174/scjmk/th_IMG_0031.jpg) (http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k174/scjmk/IMG_0031.jpg)
Even better the insurance company did cover it! Hope Louie's op goes OK to!
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Jaspersmum,
just an update! Dylan's eyes are stll droppy, but sooooo much better and a lot less discharge.
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k174/scjmk/th_IMG_0031.jpg) (http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k174/scjmk/IMG_0031.jpg)
Even better the insurance company did cover it! Hope Louie's op goes OK to!
Glad to hear that Dylans eyes much better, I keep delaying getting Louie castrated as general advice on here is to wait as long as possible and it's only when he go'e for that op that the vets were going to take a closer look at his eyes.
Lou's off to Crufts (Friends for Life display) in a couple of weeks so once that's over I'll have to make a decision about booking him in.
Nice to hear that the insurance paid out too. Thanx for letting me know.
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Charlie has also got droopy eyes - and yet our first cocker didn't at all. The vet said that it had something to do with the pigmentation (he is blue roan and tan). I know it's stupid, cause I love him the way he is, but I do feel a bit aware of it. Someone also made some silly comments about it. :'(
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Glad Dylan's eyes appear better.
Storm's eyes are usually nice and tight, but sometimes if she gets really tired a bit of red shows. She has a little kip and they are back to normal again. I never knew the red was due to lack of pigmentation...ty jane.