Tear Stain Itches
Submitted by Sarah P. on February 3, 2012 - 4:09pmLittle Girl's tear stain under one eye itches. Any remedies for this? I've tried Desitin but can't tell if it's working. Well, it seems to clear it up within a couple of days, so I discontinue use, then it's right back. I have some hydrocortisone cream, does anyone know if this is safe to put on her tear stain? Suggestions welcome!
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Meet Cupcake (born May 15, 2011) and Biscuit (born December 2, 2011)
You need to find the cause of the tears
Is it due to entropian? Allergies? Cherry Eye? Once you know the cause of the tears, you can address the tear stains. Desitin is a great way to handle the secondary issue (the itchy wrinkles) but that is a bandaid fix for the symptoms, not the cause.
Once you determine the cause of the tears, you can correct both problems. Good luck!
Shannon and Winston :)
My swimming bully buddy!
Possible causes
I know it's not cherry eye. It could be allergies or entropion. The reason I fear it might be entropion is because it's only one eye that leaks causing the tear stain, not both. And I really dread it being entropion because I have no idea how much the procedure would cost to fix it, do you? But of course I'd do anything to help her, I love her so much, but money isn't free flowing around here. I could come up with money if I had to. But the reason it might be allergies is because it is not all the time. Sometimes it clears up and her eyes stain bright and dry for days. And sometimes if it leaks I give her a Benedryl and it clears up. But you'd think if it was allergies, it would affect both eyes. What do you think?
Meet Cupcake (born May 15, 2011) and Biscuit (born December 2, 2011)
the one sided-ness is concerning...
It could be allergies...but I really don't think that is the PRIMARY cause. She might have mild allergies, but the fact she only has wetness under one eye is more likely (in my opinion) to be entropian.
Costs vary between vets. I've seen prices ranging from $250 to $2,000...all depending on the vet and the work that was done. The bulldog vet close to me (in Kansas City) is very reasonably priced (closer to the low end of that range). Please take her to get checked out by a qualified bulldog vet...they can give you better idea of what is going on and quote you a price and tell you if it is something that can wait, or if it needs to be corrected soon.
Bullies and eye issues are not something to delay. You really don't want her to accidentally scratch her cornea because she's itching the wrinkle or cause an ulcer because it's entropian.
Where do you live? Maybe someone on the board can help direct you to a great vet close to you. :)
Shannon and Winston :)
My swimming bully buddy!
Thank you. I will get it
Thank you. I will get it checked out. I live in Chattanooga, TN.
Meet Cupcake (born May 15, 2011) and Biscuit (born December 2, 2011)
Entropian
is unlikely IMO for her at this stage. There are other possibilities....so please don't jump to the conclusion that it's entropian. A clogged or infected tear duct, a stray eyelash, distichia, are other possibilities. They can also get infected pustuals inside the lower eye lid that can cause excessive watering.
Entropian rarely shows up at this age unless the puppy is extremely overdone. Most savy bulldog vets would not recommend ever doing entropian surgery prior to a year so the head can grow. Alot changes with that loose skin as they grow.
How is she itching? Is she rubbing her face, pawing? Get her in a good lighted area, and roll her eyelid outward to check for stray eyelashes.
Good insight. I will get her
Good insight. I will get her checked out just to be sure. Yes I often gotten a warm rag and gently rub her eyes. That seems to help get all the eye boogers in the morning as well. I can't see anything that is touching her eyeball, not even eyelashes. Her eye looks white and bright. The one that is leaky seems to be slightly different in shape from the unaffected eye. Slightly narrower in shape. Weird. ANd the weirdest thing about it is her eye really doesn't leak all the time. It happens once in a while, then it goes away for a few days, then comes back. Often in the morning or evening, not during the day.
Meet Cupcake (born May 15, 2011) and Biscuit (born December 2, 2011)
Eye Boogers
does she get these in both eyes? She may get some drying of the eye if she plays in the yard alot. Maybe even flushing that eye with liquid tears might help. Do get her checked but don't worry just yet. There can be lots of other things going on before a surgery is needed.
Do you use pet insurance? I
Do you use pet insurance? I don't. But already we've been to the vet for allergies, vaginitis, and now possibly entropion. I know this is a breed that you pay a lot to get...then just keep on paying. My husband says pet insurance sounds dumb. But he's also the first one to get all pissy when I bring home a receipt for $108 for a vet visit. Do you recommend insurance?
Meet Cupcake (born May 15, 2011) and Biscuit (born December 2, 2011)
Well ... Some do and
I have always been under the impression that it is a waste, that you are better off just having your won doggie savings plan with those premiums...but it all depends on what the heck happens. LOL! What you have to be caucious about with a plan is what will they not cover and my understanding is they don't cover alot with bulldogs.
I don't consider the normal annual expenses here.
Over my 16 years I could have certainly used it at times for unforseen situations that should have been covered (ie. hairline fracture, blockage, impaction) and I have had 1 with (entropian and palette) which likely would not have been covered and 2 CCL surgeries which may have been covered I don't know. If I had just one dog over those 16 years @ 50.00 per month premium that would be $9,600. If I would have signed up for the free AKC insurance the hairline fracture would have been covered. Over those 16 years I've had 6 dogs. Norbert in his 11 1/2 years had a CCL surgery ($1,800). MacKenzie is 8 and has had the blockage and impaction ($3,000). Cleo will be 7 this year, CCL surgery, entropian on 1 eyelid and palette ($4,000), Ester will be 5 this year, she had the hairline fracture as a puppy ($500). So estimated those BIG costs....I would be even.
People like Celine are very thankful they have insurance...but I don't believe her situation with Stella is typical.
We have insurance
We use Trupanion. So far, there's very little I've found that isn't covered with them. If you've already taken her to the vet about entropian, it's possible that may not be covered. With Maggie, she's had a distichia procedure twice, we took her to the vet for allergies several times within a few weeks. All I can suggest is that you look into insurance and see if it's right for you since you've mentioned it. For us, it was. It's great that we've gotten the majority of our money back for these procedures. Maggie is likely going to have another procedure (more expensive) done since her eyelashes just keep popping up.