kaylav

Hello everyone,

Its been a long time since I've posted here, but I'm at a loss. Toby is my 1-2 year old Basset Hound mix. He is 50% purebred. That being said, his eyes are not the "normal" basset eyes. You'll see by the pictures I think. Anyway, he has these re occurring eye infections that we just can't seem to get a grip on. I've taken him to the vet three times for it, and have been on the phone to my previous vet several times. The usual suggestion is: go through the regiment again for a few days longer. This works in that it keeps the eye infection at bay for maybe a week or two longer. BUT without fail they return within a month, maybe two, or three. But they always come back. Usually in both eyes. They dont see to bother him too much except for the excessive discharge, he will paw at it occasionally, but he does not act different in any other way.

We have also switched eye medication from: Dexamethason Opthalmic Ointment to Tobramycin. The hope was that the Dexa. was not working with that particular infection.

After a round on the Tobra about a month and a half ago, his eye infection has returned a few days ago. I started rinsing his eyes out hoping it was just a fluke, but the green/yellow discharge did not go away. I have him back on the Tobra, so I can get a grip on the infection.

Vets have already done tests for eye tumors etc, and chronic dry eyes. They have even checked his eye lashes to make sure none are turned inward causing the irritation. They've looked at his lids and don't think any are out of wack enough to cause this. My next option is going to an Ophthalmic specialists.

Long story short: Do any of you have any experience with this type of infection? Any ideas what it could be, any new ways I haven't treated it? I don't want it to progress any further than it has.

Sorry for the super long post. Just wanted to give you as many details as possible.

OH, I feed him K-9 Kravings (all different kinds) with the occassional Blue Buffalo Wilderness thrown in there. he also gets salmon oil and a join supplement cause hes got funny feet

Attached Thumbnails

   

mhvonalmen8908

Sorry he's got such problems with his eyes. Hope it gets figured out soon. He reminds of Doppler in the face. Doppler's got the same color eyes and the short ears too. He's a mix as well.

__________________
Megan & Chris
-Mom & Dad to Doppler (2 year old Basset/Redbone/Golden mix) and Virga (1 year old Basset)

Wworm

Worm's had one or two eye infections too when he was younger.

The way the basset's lower lids are & that they don't close completely all the time (at least Worm's doesn't), makes them more prone to dry eyes, which can be painful or irritating, and can also make them more prone to infections. That's they way I understand it for Worm.

So these days, we use lubricating eye drops (our vet recommended something called Genteal)-- I put it in his eyes 2-3x/week to give them a little more hydration and when they look redder. Usually that's when he's been playing in the sand, or if we've been driving around a lot in the car and his eyes are exposed to the fan/air conditioner/heater...

That's been our experience so far, and we haven't had more infections. Your 1st eyedrops were Dexamethasone? that doesn't sound like it has antibiotic in it, it's a steroid. so maybe that's why no improvement. Worm needed an antibiotic eyedrop. if i find it, i'll let you know what it was.

Hope he gets better soon.

__________________
see what the Worm is up to: http://bassetworm.blogspot.com/

Mikey T

another couse of cronic eye infections is where the one of the eyelids curls in and the lashes irratate the eye the only correction is surgery

Allergy's can also be a contributing factor.


That said getting expert advice is general the best solution you end up spending a lot more money and the dog has to suffer through more pain when you just throw stuff against the wall and see what sticks

bubbad

MikeyT said it Allergies. Esa gets the green goopy crusty stuff in the spring ,through most of the summer if she is out much and it eases off toward fall.Nothing in winter. So you may be fighting a losing battle but be sure the eye lashes are not causing a problem.

kaylav

Thanks everyone. My vet has checked the lashes. I wish it was allergies, it seems to be all year round.

I think Worm is on to something, because Toby does tend to sleep with his eyes partially open at times. Either way I will probably end up going to a specialist.

Doppler and Toby look very similar! Even about the same coloring!Toby seems to have more white but the reddish/brown is spot on! He is very very cute

Mikey T

many indoor allergins like dust and dust mites exist all year and then there is also the possibility of food allergies so not all allergies are seasonal.