Eye problem on GSD Rescue, cherry eye and/or pannus??? - Page 1

I just got this AKC Registered, 1 1/2 yr old female into rescue, my other foster mom had her for about two weeks, too much dog for her to handle and ran out of the drops the people gave her for her eye, basically Pannus meds, diagnosed, cyclosporine and neo-bacimix....I am waiting for my vet to get back into town, Karen ran out of the cyclosporine drops and while she did the eyes are actually getting less red...third eyelid...I am also trying to get ahold of the breeder, who is a vet, to see if they will take the dog back. Any suggestions in the meantime would be helpful, dog was very thin, on the point of being starved...and is now gaining weight, hips are way too high for the shoulders, not a very good specimen at all and very tall besides, 26 inches already...very playful and ball crazy, very strong, willing to learn, not socialized much, no manners, typical BYB....darn...went through 2 other owners after the breeder and all at 1 1/2 yrs old. The last people got rid of her, because they couldn't afford the meds the vet said would be $120.00 per month...their cost - $5.00 that lasts 2 weeks = $10.00... I know, I just bought a package of cyclosporine capsules to make into the drops... Talk about a rip-off, no wonder people are getting rid of dogs right and left...I know we need vets, but this is ridiculous....
Anyhow, any ideas on the eyes? I am going to lay off the cyclosporine till I can get her to my vet here. She came from Eastern Montana...
Sire: Jake vom Haus Peck x Dam: Roadie vom Ularkohaus
Thanks,Steph
Montana GSD Rescue
Darn photos wouldn't move over....
OLI HELP!!!!

 It is difficult to say from a photo, but the conjunctiva look very inflamed. Pannus is in the eye itself and I don't see that here, but it is difficult to see in a photo. I would certainly continue the antibiotic and get the dog to the vet ASAP to see whether there really is some pannus. The most usual meds for pannus are prednisolone actetate drops (0.5% or 1%) or the Pred Acetate AND cyclosporine. 

In my experience, many dogs when treated with just the pred acetate do fine, as long as the drops are applied rigorously and without fail. But in some, that med is not enough and the cyclosporine is added. I think that med must sting as the dogs usually object to the drops.

Hopefully, she only has some sort of bacterial infection and not pannus at her young age. Keeping her inside when the sun is brightest, when there is snow and UV light glare, and even avoiding glare off of concrete may be of help. As you know, no one knows for sure what causes pannus. But the vets here normally tell me they don't often see this condition at sea level, but only in places that are at higher altitude.

Good luck.

Steph, try to line your mouse cursor up with the edge of the second picture, and press 'enter' a couple of times.  That should get the picture to move underneath the others.

When posting multiple pics, ALWAYS hit 'enter' a couple of times in between, to prevent this problem!

I agree with Hodie. My first GSD had pannus, and it affects the cornea, NOT the haw!

FWIW, the sire is a Timo Berrakasten grandson and out of a SchH3 bitch....here's the breeder/owner's webpage w/contact info:
http://pcksimm.tripod.com/index1.html

For future quick reference, here are some photos of various conditions that affect the conjunctiva and eye:

http://www.vetconnect.net/5min/toc/img0750.htm

http://www.vetconnect.net/5min/toc/img0474.htm

http://www.vetconnect.net/5min/toc/img0753.htm

Looking at the photo you were able to post of this female, Steph, I'm inclined to think she's got keratoconjunctivitis sicca rather than chronic superficial keratitis (pannus). 


Edited to add:  Sunsilver, while chronic superficial keratitis *generally* affects primarily the cornea, it can also implicate the nictating membrane as well, and in young dogs such as this the condition does often manifest primarily in the third eyelid.  That said, this still looks more like KCS than CSK.

Thanks Hexe for posting the links to the photos. There are also some good photos found if one searches specifically for images on the names of the conditions. 

By the way, I have not had to respond to your last email re: Pali, but will do so soon. Right now I have to get back to grading papers........ugh! Can you check on flight times, costs, airlines etc.? That would be a big help. I would have to go to Denver International Airport and the airport near me will not fly dogs into or out.

Thanks Hexe for posting the links to the photos. There are also some good photos found if one searches specifically for images on the names of the conditions. 

By the way, I have not had to respond to your last email re: Pali, but will do so soon. Right now I have to get back to grading papers........ugh! Can you check on flight times, costs, airlines etc.? That would be a big help. I would have to go to Denver International Airport and the airport near me will not fly dogs into or out.

Third photo, that I cut out, cause I couldn't get them to move..Steph

The breeder/vet called finally and said if I couldn't find another home for the dog she would take it back, but wants me to try first, grrrr...she also gave a pup to a niece of hers in Minnesota and it has the same problems with the eyes....FYI!!!!

Thanks everyone for all your help...