miss molly has no tear ducts

[MIN]

mentioned to the vet to have a look at molly's eyes when they had her under anaesthetic for her spay.  turns out she has no tear ducts.  we clean her eyes everyday, have done so since we got her.  the vet mentioned going to the eye specialist ( many miles away) for them to operate.  wondering what experiences people have had.  at the moment there is no soreness or red inflammation and she shows no signs of discomfort.   

[Mudmagnets]

Can't help with experience of this (thankfully) does the vet think it may cause problems in the future?

[bizzylizzy]

Poor Miss Molly  :'(  What does the operation involve? My first dog, a German Shepherd, had a similar problem albeit 40 years ago and the veterinary college attempted to divert saliver from the salivery gland in order to lubricate the eye, at the time it was an experimental procedure and unfortunately wasn?t sucessful but no doubt they?re a lot more advanced now. I kept his eye moistened with drops and by bathing regularly and he coped remarkably well.
All the best for the little lady, hope they can help her xx

[MIN]

Can't help with experience of this (thankfully) does the vet think it may cause problems in the future?

The vet said watch out for soreness which could then lead to skin infections around the eye.... Molly shows no eye irritation in fact loves her eyes wiped ( so long as I give her belly a rub at the same time)

[Finvarra]

Gosh, I'd never heard of that. Dylan had conjunctivitis early last year, had drops for a couple of months which didn't help a lot, and he now has dry eye. So I give him Optimmune drops twice a day to help promote his tears (he knows the times and sits of the sofa waiting for it to be done, bless him). The vet did mention the operation you have been offered, but we both agreed it was a sledgehammer to crack a nut as the drops are working. He did say it wasn't always a successful procedure.
Poor Molly, hope you find a solution.
PS - the Optimmune is ?76 for a 2mg tube 😱, lasts about a month,thank goodness he's insured!

[Mudmagnets]

PS - the Optimmune is ?76 for a 2mg tube 😱, lasts about a month,thank goodness he's insured!

Had a look on VetUK and found this, altho if it's a prescription drug it may end up costing more when the vet charges for a prescription.

 https://www.vetuk.co.uk/pet-meds-prescription-only-optimmune-c-21_752/optimmune-2mgeye-ointment-3-5mg-p-151

[Finvarra]

Yikes, 100% mark up! Prices have gone mad since vets started selling out to the big corps.
With the insurance, we actually only pay ?15 for it, because they pick up the rest, until it starts again next year til we use up the excess.
Since we took out the insurance he's had a testicular tumour removed, Lipfold surgery, and now this, so maybe we are breaking even with the insurance company!

[Mudmagnets]

Yikes, 100% mark up! Prices have gone mad since vets started selling out to the big corps.
With the insurance, we actually only pay ?15 for it, because they pick up the rest, until it starts again next year til we use up the excess.
Since we took out the insurance he's had a testicular tumour removed, Lipfold surgery, and now this, so maybe we are breaking even with the insurance company!

When Branston was ill the first time, the insurance company we were with then, apparently had a list of medications and their costs because on one of the bills they questioned and refused to pay the full price of the vets claim for one item...

 Looks like you are at least getting your money's worth from your Insurance company.