Conference misery::feline_v1

    I'll see if I can find this in any of my books tonight....  You might
    want to ask your vet if Spike should go to a vet eye specialist to see
    if there are non-surgical treatments possible, or for the operation,
    if that's necessary.  (Cleaning his eyes twice a day -- you and Spike
    deserve hero awards.)
                                          

    Would you believe I saw this on one of the TV series
    of James Herriot, the vet?  (All things Bright & Beautiful....)
    
    It was a dog, though.  The eyelids being turned in rubbed the
    eyes, so they did the surgery you described.
    

    Entropion is much more common in dogs than cats.  I would suggest that
    you go into Canine-v1 and read up on it.  I remember seeing it in
    there.  
    
    I have created a keyword for Entropion and added this note to
    it.
    
    Jo

    I once had a French Lop rabbit that had this problem with the eyelid.
    It can be tricky using anesthesia on rabbits (they tend to hold their
    breath so you think they haven't had enough anesthesia ..and then they
    take a deep breath with the risk of having too much..) but this guy
    came through the surgery just fine. His eye had been a constant goopy
    mess and obviously uncomfortable. After the surgery his eye was fine
    and you couldn't tell he had ever had a problem.
    
    Linda 

    Thanks for the feedback... Re .4 I'm glad the operation turned out
    well - gives me something to go on.  I'll also check in CANINE.

    Re .1:
    We have been trying to treat this non-surgically for a while.  For
    about 2 months, twice a day he would get the following regimin:
	- eyes cleaned
	- 1 drop "opthetic" in each eye (this numbs the eye, so that
	  he would feel less pain and not clench his eyelids)
        - after about 15 minutes, he would get a couple drops
	  "artificial tears" followed by a bland ointment to help keep
	  the tears in.  This is because the eyes could dry out a
	  little from the opthetic, and also to keep them more
	  comfortable for him (less dry and scratchy).

    We did this to see if it would help the problem.  I noticed really
    no long term improvement at all.  And Spike *really* hated the
    whole process.  (And during this he was getting Lotrimin in the
    ears for a yeast infection too!)  So we've backed off to tears and
    ointment when he seems most uncomfortable.

    He's a very shy cat, and with all this medication, tends to shy
    away even more.  But he's also the sweetest thing, wouldn't think
    of raising a claw to me, even though he hates this so much.  (He
    does run from me when he sees the tears bottle.)

    I also checked with the vet about an eye specialist - he didn't
    feel it was necessary.

    I think I am leaning towards getting this done in the near future.
    (Spike's Christmas present maybe (yeah, right, Ma, what a present!))

    Any other feedback would be greatly appreciated.
    
    Sue B + Smokey, Spike & Trouble

    This is what the Cornell Book of Cats says:  In the glossary it defines
    entropion as "turning inward of an eyelid."  In the text, it says
    "Normally, the lid is in tight contact with the globe (eyeball). 
    Changes in the orbit or globe may cause the lid to lose support so that
    it folds inwardly, allowing the facial hair to traumatize the cornea
    and causing it to ulcerate.  This is known as entropion.  Entropion in
    cats usually involves the temporal lower lid (its outer portion) and
    may effect one or both eyes.  Blinking, tearing, and ulcerations are
    usually associated with entropion.  Whether an ulcer stimulated the
    blinking and tearing, resulting in entropion, or the entropion caused
    the ulcer, is difficult to determine.  If the problems are related to
    teh entropion, a surgical correction will halt the damage to the
    cornea.  If the entropion appears to be secondary, therapy can be
    directed mainly at the corneal ulcer rather than the lid.  A contact
    lens or tissue flap is used as a bandage to protect the cornea for ten
    to fourteen days.  Topical antibiotics are recommended during this
    healing period."
    
    Nothing about the success rate for the surgery, unfortunately.
    

    Be really careful with those numbing drops.  I have seen cats severely
    damage their eyes because they couldn't feel them.  If you cat rubs his
    face on things, then you will want to watch him after using the drops.
    
    I think that I would seek the help of a specialist if surgery is called
    for.  Your regular doctor could probably do it fine, but the specialist
    will have done more of them, and will probably be more experienced in
    dealing with the problem.  No offense to your regular doctor, I am
    thinking in terms of number of surgeries performed, etc.
    
    Jo

    Yup, we had a Saint Bernard who had this condition. His eyes teared
    constantly. His face was so wrinkled that the folds on the forehead
    pushed down over his eyes and pushed against the eye lids and made
    them turn in onto the eyes.  We had the surgery done and he was
    GREAT afterwards. This is more common than we think.
    
    Our bet was a great "physician" and did a marvelous job. Pojke did't
    seem to be in any pain the next day when we bought him home and he
    heal wonderfully.
    
    I would vote to have it done.
    
    Make sure your vet has done it before and is qualified.
    
    Let us know what you decide.
    
    Barbara & her 3M's