Flurbiprofen- preventing inflammation

[MojosMommy]

Hello, I've never posted here before. I have a little question, just looking for opinions and experiences with Flurbiprofen to prevent possible inflammation. Not pre-op...but kind of like "insurance" to prevent it from happening.

Mojo has been diabetic for 3 years now. (i dont see my signature, so I'm not sure if you see this) He also has cushings disease (PDH) AND, we've had a few bouts of pancreatits...(one severe bout in October)

Anyways. I took him to the opthalmologist because I noticed he had difficulty seeing his ball in a darkened corner of the house. Turns out he does have a teeny, tiny spot in each eye (center) that is the beginning of a cataract. (its literally less than 1% ) His retinas at 100% healthy. No inflammation. His vision is only very slightly impaired in the dark because...well because...he's getting old!! That was a relief. The vet said this is extraordinary for a diabetic dog 3 years post diagnosis. Yes, I'm bragging because I was so pleased with her evaluation. Giving up my social life has paid off! ;-)

So, she asked if i was interested in using Flurbiprofen as a preventive measure. It was merely a suggestion, She has no real concerns..just threw it out there... I took the drops, but part of me says if it aint broke, dont fix it. Why jinx a good thing? But I dont want my superstitions to get in the way of something that could be medically beneficial. I hate adding another medication to the mix if it isnt REALLY necessary. Any opinions, experiences with Flurbiprofen for preventive measures? thank you !

PS, If I do anything wrong or post incorrectly, Sorry...this is my first time.

[k9diabetes]

Re: Flurbiprofen- preventing inflammation

I don't know that giving flurbiprofen drops would prevent anything... not sure, you might ask the ophthalmologist about this in more detail.

As I understand it, there isn't necessarily inflammation until after the cataracts are mature. It is the degrading lens that generates the inflammation.

This is an article I thought was good at explaining it all:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Con...=1945&SourceID=

When a cataract is hypermature, it is starting to liquefy and dissolve. While this can lead to restoring vision, which sounds like a positive turn of events, it isn’t positive because the dissolution process is quite inflammatory.

All cataracts do not progress all the way to hypermature and may stay static or progress at changing rates; however, diabetic cataracts are notorious for reaching hypermaturity and creating inflammation.

Patty has mentioned that there is some thinking that nuclear sclerosis - the old age "frosting" of the eyes - may actually help prevent diabetes-induced cataracts because the lenses become more dense with sclerosis.

http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet...s-in-dogs/1026

Natalie

[Kat Negron]

Re: Flurbiprofen- preventing inflammation

My pup Gigi had a whole episode with her eyes before, during, and after her cataract surgery. Long story short, she's still on flurbiprofen today so that she doesn't have any flare ups with her eyes. I don't think it would hurt, but it isn't going to prevent cataracts. The cataracts may very well continue to form, but as the progress they have a higher chance of becoming inflamed.

[MojosMommy]

Re: Flurbiprofen- preventing inflammation

Yeah, I haven't found any data to indicate flurbiprofen would be beneficial to prevent anything. I didn't know any better so I opted to take the drops. I suppose if it won't hurt him I could use it. I wonder if I used them until I ran out and then stopped if there would be a problem. Giving him a medication for something he doesn't need seems odd. For lack of a better word, could I make his reasonably healthy eyes "addicted " to the drops and create an issue when stopped? Sigh....I think I'll skip the drops. Its just another regimen I will have to keep up... and since its not medically necessary or documented as a preventive measure, I don't see any reason to start.I'll keep them in the event he ever truly has inflammation. Thank you for your input!

[k9diabetes]

Re: Flurbiprofen- preventing inflammation

You can always keep the bottle handy in case you need it down the road.

Natalie

[Rubytuesday]

Re: Flurbiprofen- preventing inflammation

Hi there, no experience with the eye drops, but wanted to say welcome and great job on the 3 yrs. and still not blind!

Tara

[BogiesMom]

Re: Flurbiprofen- preventing inflammation

Hi,
I recently took Bogie to see if he would be able to participate in the kenostat study (to prevent diabetic cataracts from forming) but unfortunately the ophthalmologist told me that the cataracts were already forming. He said they were very small vesicles and he gave me Diclofenac .1% drops a non steroidal eye drop, I put them in his eye's every other day. He told me the drops would help prevent inflammation as well as help prevent glaucoma down the road.
I took Bogie back to his new ophthalmologist a month later closer to my home for a follow up visit and she examined him, she told me that the cataracts didn't increase in size per the previous Dr's report and his pressure is normal. She said to continue the drops and to try to keep his BG levels as close to normal as possible she said that should help slow down the formation and I was to follow up with her in 2 months. She said that it is possible that they could form quickly and just keep a close watch on his eyes.
I am just letting you know that the drops I use haven’t bothered Bogie, if anything they maybe helping. But as they say… Every dog is different.
Good Luck!!

[Patty]

Re: Flurbiprofen- preventing inflammation

Congrats on 3 years without cataracts! The vets were often telling me that if we made it this far with my pup that it wasn't likely she was going to develop them due to diabetes. Didn't keep me from worrying though .

Personally I wouldn't put an anti-inflammatory drop in if it isn't needed. And I don't believe it offers any degree of prevention from cataracts.

As Natalie said, my ophthalmologist had a theory that the tightly compressed fibers in dogs with age-related changes of nuclear/lenticular sclerosis offered some protection. The edema that is typically present and the osmotic changes that occur to the lens with cataracts aren't as prevelent because the fibers are so tightly compressed.

If you really want to add something to Mojo's routine, you might look at Ocu-glo or adding some fish/krill oil, and antioxidants like vit C, E, cranberry powder, etc if it would be appropriate for Mojo with his current regimen. But it's certainly not necessary.

Patty

[Kat Negron]

Re: Flurbiprofen- preventing inflammation

I agree with the others to go the supplement route rather than go to Flurbiprofen right away. I wouldn't use it unless your Dr. says explicitly that you have to. Gigi didn't stand a chance (she went blind in about 3 weeks), but it sounds like you have some time to save your pup's vision. Good luck!