Rexy's story

[Barb A]

Rex is our 9 1/2 year old german shepherd/bernese mountain dog X. He was diagnosed 3 years ago with Addison's disease, 2 weeks later with Type 1 diabetes and 2 weeks following that woke up profoundly blind with cataracts in both eyes.
Fortunately, I have been in the Natural Health field for about 20 years and started Rex on a regime of supplements. We were able to reduce his insulin by almost half and have had good success with shrinking the cataracts and restoring some vision! Frisbee again - what a happy dog!
Recently Rex scratched his right eye creating an ulcer and we are not in a position to take him in to have the area debraded and grafted. Weighing the nature of the Addison's disease and how volatile his sugars become when stressed his eye is going to have to be treated topically.
Our regular veterinary team is wonderful and we have used several types of drops so far to help with the lesion on his eye but with limited success.
Has anyone else had this sort of experience and did you find success with topical treatments?

[jesse girl]

Re: Rexy's story

welcome to you and your friend

I can not help you with your question but would like to know what type of supplements you are using for the diabetes and the cataracts I do like the natural approach and had some good success always good to add to the cookie jar

thats diabetic type cookie

[CarolW]

Re: Rexy's story

I can't even begin to answer your question; sorry! But I did very much want to welcome you to this very fine forum, so here's my Big, Fat Welcome to you!

I'll read your thread with interest. Good luck with Rexy's eye! Oh, with the diabetes and Addison's too - not an easy combination!

Wed, 11 May 2011 17:50:02 (PDT)

[k9diabetes]

Re: Rexy's story

An uncomplicated corneal ulcer should heal up pretty quickly on its own as long as you completely prevent him from scratching or rubbing it. Even just one bad rubbing of it can set things back signficantly. So very strict use of some sort of collar to keep him out of it completely would be a worthwhile investment if you're not doing that already.

Debridement and the next step, keratotomy, isn't usually necessary unless there is a problem with his corneas that prevents them from healing up properly.

Does he have a history of indolent ulcers?

Natalie

[buddingartist]

Re: Rexy's story

Hi and welcome to this board. Unfortunately, my diabetic Buddy earned his wings on March 24th and I now only occasionally come to this board.

The day after Buddy passed (March 25th), my other Westie started closing her eye and I first thought it was the stress of loosing her brother. I put OptixCare in her eye and the next day she was fine only to show the same symptom 2 days later and I again put OptixCare and it was OK for a couple of days. I admit that I was neglectful in taking her to the vet immediately and the dye test confirmed a corneal ulcer (my bad). We live in the country and also don’t have access to an eye specialist and I had to rely on my regular vet.

The initial treatment was 1 drop of Isopto Atropine to dilate the pupil and 3 minutes later, one drop of Fucithalmic.

A follow up visit 7 days later showed no positive results and he prescribed Ciloxan (1 drop 4 times per day).

Follow up visits, with the dye test every time and repeated debridements with local anesthetic showed some improvement and now we are on 1 drop of GenTeal in the morning, 1 drop of Ciloxan afternoon, 1 drop of Genteal early evening and 1 drop of Ciloxan at bedtime.

It is now much better, although not completely healed, it is very slow in healing and it requires frequent monitoring visits. I am almost certain that it is not a scratch or accident, I think we were so concerned with caring for Buddy in the last few weeks of his life that we completely missed the <dry eyes< symptoms on Cleo.

Bear in mind that Cleo is not diabetic so I can’t comment on whether it would affect BG’s as well as the fact that I can’t also offer any comments as to whether these meds are available in the USA.

The vet did mention something about indolent (or boxer) ulcer. Cost wise, I don't know how much an eye specialist would cost but so far, we have spent close to $500. in visits, tests, procedures, meds, etc. because of the frequent and required visits.

Hope this helps
Louise

[Barb A]

Re: Rexy's story

Thank you so much for the kind greetings and responses to my post.
Rex had injured the eye while we were out for a walk (we have 3 lovely dogs), and top dog on the totem pole was too quick for us to avoid him crashing into the bushes to urinate higher than the pug (who neatly fit under the bushes). We hadn't realized he had injured the eye until the next morning when it was weeping and sensitive to light and did not realize it was going to be as serious and difficult to heal as it has become.
Twice we had the eye investigated to be certain there wasn't any residual debris complicating and preventing recovery.
Our vet has us alternating 3 different drops every 2 hours when we are home and we seem to be making some progress as he is keeping the eye open and he isn't rubbing at it or resisting the application of medications.
We are taking him in weekly to re-stain the eye and have confirmation that it is making some progress and not getting any worse.

[CarolW]

Re: Rexy's story

Keep up the good work with Rexy and his eye - do report back! Best wishes for healing!

Oh; and a note on dog-behavior (haha) - of COURSE Rexy will aim higher than the Pug; he's a bigger dog!

Thu, 12 May 2011 13:45:01 (PDT)

[Barb A]

Re: Rexy's story

Hi,
Rex is on 5 different supplements which have remained consistent for the last 3 years - he gets them twice a day and I simply put them in his food dish with his meals.
Dia Pro (a sugar balancing formula which enabled us to reduce his insulin by almost half)
CoEnzyme Q10
Milk Thistle
Alpha Lipoec Acid
Supervision (lutein based eye formula with Omega 3)
I also add a scoop of whey protein to his meal if I don't have extra meat available for his food.
We keep pedialyte on hand and a probiotic incase he starts with Diarrhea to keep him from becoming Ketoacidotic. The stress factor and Addison's have made this a valuable combination.
The first 5 supplements I was familiar with for human health and figured they were worth a try in this situation as I wanted to prevent the complications of Diabetes from causing more problems. Got really lucky with his response to the combination and our Vet sends clients to me regularly now because of Rex's progress.

[CarolW]

Re: Rexy's story

Very interesting. I suppose you could get hassled about "evidence-based" medicine - but - Rexy is your dog - and clearly doing well!

Do keep up your reports, please.
Thu, 12 May 2011 13:59:20 (PDT)

[jesse girl]

Re: Rexy's story

Thanks for the information on the supplements that was very helpful

sometimes we have to experiment to find new possibilities that may improve are good friends

[farrwf]

Re: Rexy's story

An uncomplicated corneal ulcer should heal up pretty quickly on its own as long as you completely prevent him from scratching or rubbing it. Even just one bad rubbing of it can set things back signficantly. So very strict use of some sort of collar to keep him out of it completely would be a worthwhile investment if you're not doing that already.
Natalie

Otis managed to acquire two corneal ulcers as his vision was failing. Pugs lead with their eyeballs, so when their vision fails their eyes are at great risk for collision damage.

The vet had him on the Atropine ans a "triple antibiotic" eyedrop.

As I understood it, the Atropine in addition to other properties, serves as a pain killer and will also reduce any itching. Took O about 2 weeks to heal.