I know this is in wrong place but please help. Poorly dog.

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myhorsefred

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Please don't shout - I know this post is in the wrong place, but I have a poorly dog and there are much more people in new lounge. I have posted this in dog section as well.

Does anyone have experience of a dogs eye going bright red, with a bleed behind the eye?

Basically at lunchtime today my springer spaniel's left eye suddenly went bright red. We took her to the vet this afternoon and have 4 possibilities.

1. She has lungworm from eating snails or slugs and it has caused a bleed. The vet has given her a huge dose of wormer but he thinks it is unlikely she has lungworm because we worm her regularly and lungworm is unusual in our area.

2. Immune sytem attacking itself. Her platelets are really low. They took blood and spun it and found that she has 7 platelets in the sample, whereas it should be between 700 and 1500. She has only 7. They have sent blood off to a lab tonight and we get results tomorrow. Vet thinks this is likely. We have been given steroids for her as anti-inflamatory and Vit K tablets to increase the amount of platelets in her blood

3. Bone marrow disorder. Vet thinks this is less likely.

4. Leukaemia. Vet thinks this is less likely.

We have to be really careful that she doesn't get a bruise or a cut as she could literally bleed to death as her blood is not clotting and she could haemorrhage uncontrollably.

Very sorry for all the questions, but has anyone experienced this with their dog? Or are any vets reading this? We will have results tomorrow, but am besides myself and wondered if anyone could help me now. I love this dog so much.
 
Similar things that have happened to my dogs and lots of dogs we know that have caused a bad red eye include a small scratch from digging about in bushes (heals itself or may require antibiotics), grit or bits of grass stuck in their eye (once pulled out they heal themselves quickly), and ulcers (which require a small but rather expensive operation). Lets hope it's just something trivial. Big hugs to your doggy from my doggies and me!!
 
Thanks everyone.

Flowerlady - the dog (her name is Poppy) is as bright as ever in herself. Always a busy little dog and she is still busy.

She had a little cut in her gum last week which was slow to stop bleeding, but the vet said it was in a difficult place and wouldn't heal as fast because it was moist in her mouth, and lots of movement etc. It stopped bleeding on Saturday, so we thought it was fine. Today her eye went bright red and is obvoiusly a haemorrhage.

Have just looked up low platelet count on google and auto-immune disorders and have frightened myself stupid as there are lots of serious disorders that it could be. I guess I just have to wait for blood results tomorrow.

All results on google (lungworm, thrombocytapenia, genetic hemolytic anemia) all say she should be lethargic, off colour and not her usual self. If it wasn't for her red eye you wouldn't know there is anything wrong. Very puzzling.
 
The worst thing you can do is Google possibilities!

I do not have any answers either, just want to wish Poppy the very best, I hope she will soon be diagnosed and all will be well. Would love a photo.
grin.gif
 
Thankyou for the photo myhorsefred. Poppy is lovely. Have to say I have a real passion for Irish Setters, having recently lost my third.

keeping everything crossed for Poppy.
 
my dog (also called Poppy!) got diagnosed with an auto immune disease about 18 months ago, much like you I googled everything and worried myself! she's still here and happy, and it's controlled with steroids, so don't panic! she had different symptoms from your dog though.
lovely dogs, best wishes for you and Poppy.
 
Donklet - thanks. Yes, I have a passion for red setters as well. I think springers and setters have amazing temperaments.

Mil1212 - thank you so much for saying that. Glad to hear your Poppy is doing well. I will know more tomorrow, but it is just like me to fear the worst until I get all the facts. And if it is an auto-immune disorder then, like your dog, it goes to show that it is controllable with steroids.

Kerilli - thank you. I will ask the vet to have a look. He did say it was difficult to see past the blood today, but if the blood subsides (hopefully it will) then I should think he will be able to look at the eye itself more.

Thank you ever so much. Trust me to panic. But I dote on my animals. Hubby and daughter can sort themselves out! lol! But animals need us more.
 
My Spaniel had a blood-filled eyeball once but it was due to an injury which was very obvious as the cornea was ruptured. Just a chance your dog may have ruptured a capillary inside the eyeball from an impact without any external injury? The blood should drain away within a day or two in normal circumstances.

On the other hand the platelet count must signify something, though that's obviously a vet's job to diagnose.

(((Positive vibes)))
 
Brightmount - thanks. Yes, the platelet count is making me think it is something more serious. Am just waiting for the phone to ring this morning with results.

VictoriaEDT - Yes, definately you need all three! Get an Irish setter, they are fabulous dogs. Loads of my friends said the were constantly loopy dogs. If we are mad around Wilson he will go silly, but if we are calm around him (which we usually are) he is calm as well. He is an amazing dog and very, very loyal.
 
My Staff had something similar, his eye went red and also slightly bulgy. Eye drops and anti b's didn't do anything and we were referred to an eye specialist. It was reccomended to remove the eye and after removal they had a look and it was a non malignant growth.
 
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