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Black blotches in eye

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eye pigment
13K views 147 replies 28 participants last post by  Joanne & Asia 
#1 ·
Has any body ever seen this or know what it is?
I only noticed it because Cody isn't seeing well from his left.
Then I looked in his eye with a flashlight. I was lucky to get a good pic because "black blotches in eye" is hard to describe.
It doesn't look serious but I made an appointment with his vet on the 17th.
Connie and Cody :wavey:
 

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#3 ·
Set up an appointment with an eye specialist ASAP. I had a cat with a similar look and it was a cancerous tumor. Unfortunately, we were too late and it had spread. After having the eye removed and a 6 month chemotherapy program we had to have the cat put down. On a little bit better note, it could be cataracts which isn't great but a better prognosis than cancer. I personally would find a vet with specialty in the eye!
 
#6 ·
Could be iris cysts with pigment. A situation that needs to be watched to make sure PU doesn't develop, but definitely should be looked at by an ophthalmologist not regular vet. Our girls were found with cysts with pigment probable 4-5 years ago but have never developed PU. They are both 12 and other than being on the OcuGlo supplement are seen by the ophthalm yearly. Hope Cody's is something as easily managed.
 
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#7 ·
You people were right and this last week has been a whirlwind.

I got Cody in to see his regular vet and he was diagnosed with glaucoma in his left eye. It was advanced too far and Cody is completely blind in that eye. I was so shocked. I first noticed his eye looked different the day of my OP when I posted the photo. Cody's annual exam in May eye check showed all was normal. The glaucoma came on that fast. His right eye is fine, thank goodness, but will have preventive drops the rest of his life.

So this last week , Cody's vet, in consult with Dr. Ramsey prescribed drops that were keeping the eye pressure down. We have been 4 times for pressure checks. Today a reading showed the pressure was elevated so we will be seeing Dr. Ramsey (THANKS Megora) I hope Mon or after the holiday.

At this point we are trying to save Cody's eye from having to be removed. He doesn't act like he is in any pain - but you know Goldens - they are so stoic.

So I went from thinking he has "just a few pigment discolorations in his iris" to trying to save his eye from having to be removed. I am just sick.

Thank you so very much for any more advice, encouragement or thread lnks on this subject you can give me.

Connie and Cody :wavey:
 
#8 ·
Did they formally diagnose it as pigmentary uveitis? That's exactly what it sounds like. The reason I ask is because they are trying very hard to trace the genetics of PU, and if it is, please put it on K9data so that those who are watching it can update their records.
I'm sorry to hear about Cody. I know you will do whatever is best for him.
 
#9 ·
No, hotel4Dogs. I heard the word "uveitis" but not "pigmentary". After researching, it does sound like PU.
I will ask Monday at his next pressure check to make sure before posting on K9data.

I'm having a very hard time with this. My life has revolved around Cody for 12 years. I will do whatever my best boy needs.

Connie and Cody :wavey:
 
#10 ·
Dr. Ramsey should be able to tell you whether it's related to PU or not... he's pretty good and this is one of the things he is concerned about when goldens are brought in to him.

Sorry about your dx.... glad you got it checked though. Hopefully knock on wood you get the condition under control with meds!
 
#12 ·
Cody's mom I am so sorry, sending good thoughts and prayers. Can't imagine how all of it is upsetting for you. Hugs.
 
#13 ·
Thanks for the reply Cody'sMom. My Toby was diagnosed with PU at 13-1/2. He didn't lose his eyes, but did go totally blind. It is important that you know, because the treatment for the other eye may be different depending on the diagnosis.
All my best wishes for you and sweet Cody.
 
#14 ·
Thank you also to nana2 and Buddy's mom forever for the good wishes.

Hopefully, the new eye drop changes yesterday will show a decrease in pressure on Monday. His appointment is at 8:30 and we will be prepared to drive to the ophthalmologist at that time if necessary.

Yes, hotel4dogs, Cody's right eye is getting a preventive drop. I was encouraged to read that even though Tody did go blind, he didn't have either eye removed. Thank you for your kind thoughts.

I have read Joanne and Asia's glaucoma journey from this past year and I'm afraid we are headed down the same road.
For those of you familiar with IOPs "Intraocular Pressure" (and I am just learning), Cody's left eye was 38 then 21 then 17 then 35. The right eye was 10, 8 & 12.

Cody's photo today shows his left eye is visibly larger. heavy sigh.

Connie and Cody :wavey:
 

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#17 ·
I am so sorry Connie!. I do truly know how you feel. Please feel free to PM me if you need support though this. The support I received on this forum was invaluable as we went through our journey. I want you to know that Asia has adjusted wonderfully but that said it was devastating at the time. Her pressures were almost identical to what you are describing.
 
#15 ·
Praying for the best. Asia is doing great now but I hope you do not have to go Joanne and Asia's road with your sweet boy.
 
#16 ·
As much as this isn't what you want to hear, if the vets suggest removing the eye, please just bear in mind that it will be a huge relief for your sweet boy. The high pressure apparently causes migraine-like pain, which is why they remove the eye sometimes.
I'll be sending you lots of good thoughts.
 
#18 · (Edited)
If the vet recommends removing the eye, please don't hesitate. High pressure causes a lot of pain, and the dogs don't care the eye is gone, in fact with it gone they are out of pain.
 
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#19 ·
If the vet recommends removing the eye, please don't hesitate. High pressure cause a lot of pain, and the dogs don't care the eye is gone, in fact with it gone they are out of pain.
This is very true. What I found was that it takes some time to come to terms with the fact that the eye will need to be removed. Our vet realized this and as Asia's pressures were back down for awhile with the eye drops, she gave me that time to adjust(a couple of weeks) and make the decision. I would have not hesitated at all if she was in any pain and the day I made the decision the pressure went up again so I knew it had to be done. The main thing is to remember that it is about what is best for the dog not us. It was incredibly difficult but now Asia is happy and pain free and to me, just as beautiful as ever! My thoughts and prayers are with you Connie and Cody as you go through your journey.
 
#20 ·
Thank you everybody.

We are resigned to the possibility that the eye may have to be removed. heavy sigh It makes me sick to my stomach to think my sweet boy may have to go through that but he is SO healthy otherwise and you would swear he was 6 and not almost 12 so he would make out fine! This is Cody's first health problem so I count him in the "lucky" category.

Joanne & Asia, thank you for following this thread and I was going to PM you last night with this question but got tired. Do you or anyone else know at what pressure does a dog feel discomfort?

Dr. Ramsey is open only tomorrow this week. I wonder if he can get Cody in as an emergency tomorrow if Cody's regular vet gets the same reading pressure of 35.

We got 8+ inches of snow yesterday and Cody had a blast!

Connie and Cody :wavey:
 
#21 ·
I remember asking the vet that and she seemed to think that they would feel discomfort with pressure in the 30.s but not a high level of pain. She said she has had dog patients in the 60's and 70's and then she removed the eye right away. Asia's pressures never went higher than about 35 and they did go down quite a bit with the meds but then went up again. The whole experience is like a roller coaster.Our vet had never heard of PU and it was an ophthalmologist who diagnosed it. She knew it was glaucoma related to uveitis but not this particular type. She has done a lot of research since though and we worked in conjunction with the specialist in her treatment plan.

Cody sounds like a wonderful boy. Asia will be 11 next month and still acts like a much younger dog. I guess there are many things to be thankful for but hard to be when you are facing this I know. I hope his pressures are down for you when you get it checked tomorrow.
 
#22 ·
Hi all. Cody's pressure this morning was 33 - then taken again, 31.
So no immediate emergency to see the ophthalmologist today.

The diagnosis is "Pigmentary Uveitis with Secondary Glaucoma".

We get another pressure check a week from today and will continue the three different types of drops 3 times a day (separating them by 5-10 minutes).
It seems the pressure is stable for now but we understand it will be a roller coaster ride.

Cody does not seem to be in ANY discomfort at all for now so that is encouraging.

Connie and Cody :wavey:
 
#24 ·
Thank you, Joanne. Your support has helped me so much.

Did you see any signs of Asia being in pain or discomfort?
I am constantly looking for signs in Cody but will try to relax and enjoy Thanksgiving since we are doing everything we can now until at least Monday.

Hug Asia for us too! I love the pics of her with her walking pals - SO cute.

Connie and Cody :wavey:
 
#26 ·
Flirty had PU with secondary glaucoma, also. One treatment the emergency vet gave when her pressure spiked was an iv of mannitol which greatly reduces the pressure.

I urge you to see an ophthalmologist and not just your regular vet.

When the pressure spiked in Flirty, she was squinting and panting which I knew were signs of pain in her. Goldens are so stoic, they won't give you signals until it's very, very painful.

Since your dog is blind in the one eye, if they suggest removal it is in their best interest to have it removed. While the recovery looks horrible, it is rather quick and they adapt so well, as your dog already has.

Good luck, and I hope things settle down at least until after the holiday.
 
#27 ·
pigmentary uveitis is a big, bad, scary thing in the breed. It can happen to anyone, and it's not a reflection on the breeder. Unfortunately, they believe it to be dominant with incomplete penetrance, which makes it especially hard to follow genetically.
It's in field lines. It's in show lines. It's in lines like my Toby's, which was back yard breeder. It's all over.
I'm so sorry you are having to deal with it. Hopefully others who read this thread will realize how important it is to have your golden's eyes checked annually, whether or not you will breed or have bred the dog. It can happen to any of us.
 
#28 ·
pigmentary uveitis is a big, bad, scary thing in the breed. It can happen to anyone, and it's not a reflection on the breeder. Unfortunately, they believe it to be dominant with incomplete penetrance, which makes it especially hard to follow genetically.
It's in field lines. It's in show lines. It's in lines like my Toby's, which was back yard breeder. It's all over.
I'm so sorry you are having to deal with it. Hopefully others who read this thread will realize how important it is to have your golden's eyes checked annually, whether or not you will breed or have bred the dog. It can happen to any of us.
Very scary! Being mom of human or furry kids is tough job, so many things to worry about.

I am glad sweet Cody is enjoying the snow.
My thoughts and prayers are with you two.
 
#29 ·
Cody's regular vet and the partner vet in the same office both saw Cody and both had consultations with the ophthalmologist at least twice last week and also yesterday.
The ophthalmologist was who recommended the eye drop program we are on now. Three different eye drop medicines 3 times a day.

My husband and I feel confident that with the ophthalmologist available at any time, Cody's regular vet can monitor his eye pressures for now.
So I don't really see what an appointment with the ophthalmologist would benefit since he is already in on the case.

I'm learning there's not a lot of options in this situation. You give eye drops until the pressure goes up or the dog shows signs of discomfort then you have the eye removed.

Do I understand the situation correctly?

Connie and Cody :wavey:
 
#30 ·
Yes that sums it up. Asia was diagnosed through our vet consulting with an ophthalmologist on the phone and she said she would bet her career that it was PU and started her on the 3 drop regimen and the prednisone for the other eye. We went to the ophthalmologist a few weeks later to confirm. It is a matter of monitoring the eye pressure and adjusting the amount of drops as needed and our vet did that. It was about 5 months of treatment until we had to have the eye removed but that may not be the same in your case if Cody's eye pressure can stay lower. It was as I have said a heart wrenching decision to have it removed but in hindsight I am happy that we did it and she adjusted so well.
 
#31 ·
Connie I know this may be a stretch for you, but you may be interested in going to see Dr. Wendy Townsend at Purdue in West Lafayette. She is THE guru of PU, and has done tons and tons of research. She is the one who does the ultrasounds on the dogs' eyes at the Golden National every year.
Just a thought. I know it's a long drive.
 
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#32 ·
I second this! I have seen Dr. Townsend and she is amazing. Very thorough and very nice. I went to see her because I have a girl with an iris cyst and I was worried. Even though my girl does not have PU and her cyst was not the kind implicated in PU, she spent a lot of time with me, checking my girl and talking pedigrees with me.
 
#34 ·
hotel4dogs and Tahnee GR, it would be too much of a stretch for us to go see Dr. Townsend. She does sound wonderful.
I'm wondering what you think she or any other ophthalmologist would do for Cody's eye other than measuring the pressure and having us do prescription drops?
I understand the ablation technique is not an option because of something to do with his iris but I'm still trying to find out more about that.

Joanne & Asia, everything is going very well. Cody gets three different drops 3 times a day and they have to be 5-10 minutes apart.
The 7 am and 10 pm set of drops go well but the 2 pm mid day set of drops are right in the middle of Cody's afternoon nap and I hate to wake him up the three times!

Cody runs wild off leash for 30 minutes on the trails in the field by our subdivision twice a day.
Thanksgiving was busy. Cody's Doggie Grams and Gramps came over for dinner - he was ecstatic!

Monday we get a new pressure and I am anxious about it.

Thanks for checking on us and sorry it took so long for me to reply. I so appreciate everybody's concern.

Connie and Cody :wavey:
 
#35 ·
I am glad he is doing well and the fact that he is running around is a good sign that he isn't in any pain. Yes the ophthalmologist would do what your vet can do. The only other thing the one we saw did was to confirm the diagnosis by doing a more comprehensive exam and give the prescription recommendation. I am glad we did that though as I needed her diagnosis and recommendations to feel that we had done everything we could. It turned out though that we had so seeing her probably wasn't necessary other than for my piece of mind and that did help when it was time to face the eye removal.I emailed her after the vet recommended that after the months of treatment and she agreed it had to be done.I hope that the meds work for Cody and there is always hope that they will!
 
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