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maxxer99 July 27th, 2009 11:35 AM

Help - Eye problems
 
Hi there,

I have a golden doodle. He's just about 3 years old. About 4 months ago he started getting a white spot on his eye. It was small at first but kept getting bigger. Now his left eye is about 1/3 covered by this spot and his left eye is about 1/4 covered by this spot. It's not right over the eye ball, more to the tops and sides of the eyes. He has been to see a general vet and now a dog opthamologist. The opthamologist thinks it might be a corneal degeneration or a corneal dystrophy, however, he says that the spots have the characteristics of both. I am trying to get a second opinion however there aren't a lot of dog opthamologists in Ottawa, ON. I'm sure it's not a cataract or anything like that but I don't know what else it could be and it keeps getting worse. I fear he may soon be blind.

Just wondering if anyone has seen or heard of anything like this. All suggestions appreciated.

thanks
Rod

Gail P July 27th, 2009 03:43 PM

Depending on how far you're willing to travel for the second opinion, there's a veterinary opthamologist you could try in Newmarket, Ontario. I took one of my dogs there a few years back for an exam. The name of the clinic is York something. I think it may be just York Animal Clinic. It's on St. John's Sideroad.

Dr Lee July 27th, 2009 04:08 PM

[QUOTE=maxxer99;806931] The opthamologist thinks it might be a corneal degeneration or a corneal dystrophy, however, he says that the spots have the characteristics of both. I'm sure it's not a cataract [/QUOTE]

As the problem being discussed is located in the cornea (the clear outer portion of the eye) and not the lens (inside the eye behind the colored portion of the eye) it is not a cataract.

Corneal dystrophy can be either stagnant or actively worsening. However if either of these continue to progress and not stop in getting worse, then vision impairment will result. I would either recheck with the ophthalmologist you have found to see if the signs stop getting worse or visit another one for an additional opinion.

I hope this helps and I wish you the best.

maxxer99 July 28th, 2009 11:11 AM

Eye Problems
 
Thanks for your input. Is there anything that can be done if it's a corneal dystrophy? Change foods, medication, surgery, etc?

Dr Lee July 28th, 2009 11:31 AM

Corneal dystrophy as a general rule is hereditary and will affect both eyes. Unfortunately topical medications often do not work and occasionally may make things worse (I would recommend discussion with your vet eye specialist though). Sometimes low fat diets can help reduce the progression of the disease. In severe cases, surgery can be performed however since the opacities can recur - surgery is usually a last resort option. Sometimes there is systemic underlying disease so blood work may be useful to rule out excess triglycerides, cholesterol, phosphorus, calcium levels, etc... FWIW I am not a veterinary ophthalmologist and my cases of corneal dystrophy I always refer to a veterinary ophthalmologist. Furthermore, I am not aware that goldendoodles (goldens alone or poodles alone) are common breeds for corneal dystrophy although any dog can get it. The follow are common breeds for corneal dystrophy as per Dennis E Brooks DVM PhD Dip ACVO: "Several forms of corneal dystrophy occur in specific breeds. These include corneal dystrophy in the Beagle, Siberian Husky, Shetland Sheepdog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Airedale Terrier, and Rough Collie. Posterior polymorphous dystrophy has been described in the American Cocker Spaniel, and endothelial corneal dystrophy has been observed in the Boston Terrier, Chihuahua, and Dachshund."


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