Eye trouble means a trip to the Veterinary Ophthalmology Doctor. Mom has never been before but our regular vet said we needed to see the doctor there. Dr. Olivero is very good and originally I had to wait five months for an appointment. Thankfully Mom was able to call and get things moved up so I only had to wait two months.
We are early risers at my house but getting up at three in the morning is still a bit much! We had an appointment at seven and could not be late. Mom had to walk and feed us all before we left, and that all takes time. Going to the doctor in the dark is kind of weird.
What is wrong with my eyes?
What is wrong with my eyes? It all started back in October when Mom noticed my eyes were red. Next our navigator noticed white tube like things in each eye on our Michigan trip. When Mom saw those she got worried. People we don’t even know comment on my eyes too because I look like I haven’t slept in days. That makes Mom upset. Even taking photos is hard these days because a lot of times my eyes come out too red.
Since she was worried, Mom made an appointment for me with my vet for the day after we returned from Michigan. He didn’t know what it was and the medicine I received didn’t help at all. After researching for several days, he settled on a diagnosis of eversion of the third eyelid. This is something rare and would need to be taken care of by a specialist.
What exactly is this eversion of the third eyelid? It is fairly rare, but normally happens in large and giant breed dogs. During the big growth spurt in the first year of life, the third eyelid grows a bit too long and rolls up like a window shade. This is what makes the white tube like thing. It doesn’t hurt me, but it doesn’t look nice at all. These are photos of my eyes.
The doctor at the veterinary ophthalmology clinic explained it all to me and Mom in detail. It is not a genetic thing for my breed which is good. He did a bunch of eye tests on my eyes. Mom was shocked because I stood still on the table and barely moved for almost ten minutes during my exam.
What is the solution?
Surgery is the only way to fix this problem which is mainly cosmetic. Since I’m so young and I have my whole life ahead of me, Mom and I decided to have the surgery. I will go in first thing in the morning and go home later in the day. It will take about four weeks for my eyes to completely heal. The first ten days I have to wear a cone and get medicine in my eyes four times a day. When it is all done and healed up, I will be my normal self again.
It will be rough not playing wild for a couple weeks but it will be nice to have normal eyes once again. The timing is good because I will be able to start sports in April, and I can also return to the show ring.
We are super thankful for having such a good veterinary ophthalmology doctor close to where we live. Dr. Olivero really knows his way around a dog’s eyes. Mom and I are very comfortable having him fix up my eyes. We have a big road trip in February, and when we return it will be surgery time. Being busy until my surgery will keep us all from worrying a lot.
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We send you lots of AireZen and positive vibes, Nelson, and my paws will be crossed that all goes well for you. Hugs to you and your mom♥
It should be a simple surgery, so our bets are on it going well. The doc is fantastic and we would not do it if it wasn’t something safe and simple.
I’m glad to hear it’s a simple and safe surgery, Nelson! And what a good boy you were for the dogtor!! I know your mom was very proud of you!
I remember back when the HuDad and I first brought Callie home (at 7 weeks), she had an ingrown eyelash in her lower lid. Our regular vet did a little “nip and tuck” surgery, and after a few days of medicine, she never had another problem with her eyes. I’m sure your surgery and healing time will go just as well!
It is supposed to be a simple thing, but wearing a cone for ten days and no wild pants will be tough on the entire family.
Your eyes will feel better once that is taken care of. Many humans have no idea about all the veterinary specialists out there – just like in human medicine. We check in with our cardiologist (vet) and neurologist (vet).
We know the specialists are out there, but hope to never need them. Katie had a cardiologist. This Dr is really good and originally my appt was not until April. Thankfully, Mom managed to get one sooner.
Sending happy healing vibes!
I we can survive the ten days in a cone, things should be good.
we are so glad that your vet can repair your eyes… all the good luck we will have our POTP candle that day…
It won’t be any fun, but it will be nice to have the issue taken care of. It bothers Mom more than it bothers me.
Oh Golly! Prayers for you and your mom, Nelson! It is not a big deal from what I have heard from other dog people who have had it done. Glad YOU CAN GET IT DONE BEFORE THE SHOW SEASON STARTS!
It will fit perfectly with the start of my sports season. Mom says I can’t run FastCAT with a cone because of it causing drag, whatever that means. I’ll be all back to normal in mid March, but I can do nose work before that time because of the type of sport it is.
WOW! I am glad it is not painful but is sure looks painful and annoying. Just keep your paws out of your eyes. XOXO, Sparkle
It doesn’t bother me much but humans are really bothered by it and Mom hates that my eyes get so red as the day goes on. I’m sure it will all go well and I will forget all about it in time.
Our older brother Dash had to go to an ophthalmologist when he was young too. He had gotten some kind of infection and our vet referred us. Just like Nelson, Dash was sooo good when the doctor did all kinds of things to his eyes! Our mom was shocked. And his eye was all fixed with the doctor’s prescription and directions. Mom hated doing the eye drops but it was worth it!! Good luck with your surgery. your friends Lilly and Chester
It sure would be great if eye drops would help my problem but they won’t. The dr is really good and everyone in our area raves about him, so I will be in good paws. We liked him a lot at our visit too.
This b;og entry upset me. I feel so bad. Nelseon is to young to go through all of this. But I knoe you sisters and Mom will take fabulous care of you. Please keep us all posted.
It makes Mom sad too, but this only really happens to puppies when they have their big growth spurt. The Dr is really amazing and so very nice. We know I will be in good paws and by mid March the stitches will have dissolved and I will forget it ever happened. It is better than having to live with funny looking eyes. I’m still the same happy and healthy guy.
We’re sorry you have to deal with this issue, Nelson, but glad that it doesn’t cause you much discomfort, and that they’ll be able to fix you up. It will be nice for you and your Mom when it’s all over with and she no longer has to worry. ♥
It bothers her more than it bothers me, but it will be nice to have normal eyes again.
I am happy that you said the surgery is relatively simple. I know how great of a dog parent you are, so I am not worried. If you trust the doctor and love him like you do, I am certain all will go well! I know it had to be scary though until you knew what was wrong. Sending lots of hugs and wishes for a speedy recovery!! xoxo
Any surgery has risk, but I am young and healthy and the doc is really good, so it should all go well. They just cut the extra length out of the third eyelid and sew it back together. The stitches dissolve within a month and then I will be normal again. The ten days with a cone will be tough.
We know how important eye health can be and are glad are getting things taken care of now rather than later! Angel Arty and Mama were also lucky to find a pawsome ophthalmologist to help with his eye problems.
At least ours is only a half hour away from us. It’s nice there are such specialists available.
I’m very glad your Mom got your appointment bumped up sooned, those special eyese are important and it sound like you’ve for the right Vet to fix you up. POTP from all of us too.
Thank you. It would not hurt to wait, but with sports an showing season coming up, we wanted to get it taken care of.
We send purrayers and Power of the Paw to Nelson !
Thank you.
This can happen but as you’ve found out it’s not dangerous, just annoying. I’m glad you have a great doctor and will get it taken care of soon. I will be praying you both stay calm and everything goes perfectly.
We think it will all go well, and my eyes will be normal again soon.
We are happy to hear this is more a cosmetic issue than anything. We are glad you will be able to have the surgery, and we hope you heal up quickly afterward.
The whole thing should be done within a month and then my life will be completely normal again.
Glad you were able to find out what it was and that’s it’s treatable. Best wishes for the procedure and the recovery.
We will be happy when it is done and I can start recovering to get back to normal.