Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Can someone please tell me if this is normal (dogs eye)

43 replies

Istheresomethingwrong · 05/01/2023 19:23

Is this normal?

I'm looking after my friends dog for 4 weeks, she's been off her food since she arrived yesterday but I thought she was just missing my friend.

I've just noticed her eye looks really weird.

I don't have a lot of experience with dogs at all, but this doesn't look right.

Shes a spaniel, and she's about 6.

Any advice gratefully received. I cant contact my friend at all for the full time she is away so I'm slightly freaking out.

Pictures of both of her eyes for reference, I cleaned the weird eye about 10 mins ago and that's when I noticed.

Can someone please tell me if this is normal (dogs eye)
Can someone please tell me if this is normal (dogs eye)
OP posts:
SilverGlassHare · 05/01/2023 19:24

That looks like an eye infection at the least. She needs to go to the vets asap.

BoxerMam · 05/01/2023 19:24

No, this doesn't look normal. I'm not sure what it is as haven't seen it before - are you able to get her to a vet?

LBF2020 · 05/01/2023 19:28

I'd ring the vets, they may already be aware of an issue and if not it's better to be over-cautious in this situation. Let us know how it goes :)

Original poster
Istheresomethingwrong · 05/01/2023 19:28

That's what I thought, it's just in some lights it's cloudy like that but it's only that one eye.

I'll call her vet first thing, will they allow me to make decisions because I have literally no way of contacting my friend.

OP posts:
Warspite · 05/01/2023 19:31

Looks like a corneal ulcer. Poor dog. She needs urgent attention.
You are in “loco parentis” so get should help you.
I hope Doggo will Hager better soon.

RedCarsGoFaster · 05/01/2023 19:34

Where is your friend? Absolutely no way to contact ie social media, text etc? Do you know which vets they have her registered with?

She definitely needs to be seen although it is possible it's a cataract and they already know about it?

LadyLolaRuben · 05/01/2023 19:35

That needs seeing to asap. Ahh must be sore

Original poster
Istheresomethingwrong · 05/01/2023 19:38

Shes quite an elderly lady so has a brick phone, no social media and I can't contact her in the country she is in with the phone/plan she is on, there's literally no way to get in touch with her at all.

I know which vet she is with, and I can call them first thing and get her round there.

I have no idea about the insurance etc but can pay just now even if its just for a check up.

She never mentioned any health problems and I did specifically ask her so whatever it is I'm fairly confident my friend isn't aware.

OP posts:
RedCarsGoFaster · 05/01/2023 20:13

Send a message to her phone anyway, it's worth a go in case something is able to get through.

Leonberger · 05/01/2023 20:34

That needs seen sooner rather than later, eyes are not worth messing with and can be so painful.

My last dog had a melting ulcer and if I had waited until morning it probably would have ruptured the eye itself. If it’s come on suddenly I would go if you can.

Birchtree1 · 05/01/2023 21:02

Eye looks to be watering but there seems to be a small wart on the upper eyelid which can irritate the eye and make it water.
eye doesn’t look particularly sore as the white of the eye isn’t red/pink but I can’t see the conjunctiva.
grey bit appears to be the lens ( sits behind the pupil which is the black bit in the other eye) it could be a cataract and then would have been there before and also isn’t unusual in older dog
only thing I can’t tell if there is a small raised area on the cornea fairly in the middle?
i would definitely go to vets in the morning but I wouldn’t go tonight/ overnight as an emergency
good luck!

Original poster
Istheresomethingwrong · 06/01/2023 22:23

Hi, just a quick update, I took her to the vet this morning, she has corneas in her eye, they recommended surgery, but said due to the severity and her age she may lose her eye during surgery.

I explained the situation and asked if there was something they could give to relieve the pain for a few weeks until friend gets back, or if she needed surgery straight away, so they have given me eye gel drops at the moment and I have an appointment next week again to see how she's doing.

If she is really suffering then I think I may just ask them to go ahead, and friend will just have to deal with my decision. There isn't a lot else I can do and I feel a bit stuck here.

Can I get into legal trouble for this (england) if she goes for surgery and doesn't make it or loses her eye?

I'm not a dog owner so I don't really know what I would do, but would you be happy for a dog sitter to make this decision if your dog is in pain? I am really at a loss on what the right thing to do is and I've tried, and failed, to get in touch with friend today.

OP posts:
karmalama · 06/01/2023 22:27

Do you mean glaucoma?

PugInTheHouse · 06/01/2023 22:29

I was at the emergency vet with my dog last night as his pupil turned red. Another lady was there as said her dog had a corneas and had to have her eye removed. My pup had his eye removed today, personally if it was me and the vet recommended it then I would be fine with whatever decision was made. I can't believe anyone would go away without having some way of being contacted especially when leaving a pet behind, does she not have any family you can contact?

PugInTheHouse · 06/01/2023 22:32

Not sure she said corneas actually, think it was corneal she said, possibly a corneal ulcer? she said something to do with cornea and that it was white on the pupil .

Original poster
Istheresomethingwrong · 06/01/2023 22:42

The vet definitely said corneas, and I have gel drops just now for pain and irritation, and I'm taking her back next Wednesday for another check up and see what the vet says then.

My friend is an elderly lady, she has no kids and her husband died last year, she's off to scatter his ashes back home actually so I can't imagine how tough it will be if she comes back and their dog has lost an eye, or worse. I feel really guilty but the vet said it's likely been there for some time so not something that just popped up in the last few days.

I really can't stand the thought of that sweet girl being in pain for the next month, so if I have to I'll make the best decision for the dog, this is an actual nightmare though.

OP posts:
teaandtoastwithmarmite · 06/01/2023 22:42

I have a cat not a dog but I would trust whoever was looking after her to make the decision that was best for her so I think it's the right decision to have it operated on. I can't believe you can't contact the owner. That's a bit irresponsible

doodleygirl · 06/01/2023 22:48

I think if your friend trusts you with her precious girl then she will trust you to make the right decision.

PugInTheHouse · 06/01/2023 23:27

Istheresomethingwrong · 06/01/2023 22:42

The vet definitely said corneas, and I have gel drops just now for pain and irritation, and I'm taking her back next Wednesday for another check up and see what the vet says then.

My friend is an elderly lady, she has no kids and her husband died last year, she's off to scatter his ashes back home actually so I can't imagine how tough it will be if she comes back and their dog has lost an eye, or worse. I feel really guilty but the vet said it's likely been there for some time so not something that just popped up in the last few days.

I really can't stand the thought of that sweet girl being in pain for the next month, so if I have to I'll make the best decision for the dog, this is an actual nightmare though.

Sorry I meant the lady I spoke to at the vets last night, my post reads like I was suggesting your vet said that.

That's so sad but if the dog is in pain and you have helped her then I'm sure she will be hugely grateful to you for taking her to the vets and getting her the treatment she needs.

It's so upsetting, I really feel for you OP, you are doing a good thing though.

OllytheCollie · 06/01/2023 23:41

Legally I don't think you can get into any trouble if you are looking after a dog, dog needs medical attn, you seek advice from their regular vet and act on that advice. Even if the consequence is harm to the dog like loss of an eye.

Morally you would obviously feel terrible but it would not be your fault. You would still have done the right thing to get the dog the care it needed when it needed it.

Your friend might be upset but that's on her. Or she might just be relieved that you were such a good dog sitter you took her dog to the vet and made sure he wasn't in pain. I hope that is how I would respond in that situation.

It is horrible but it would be much worse if you didn't look after the poor dog.

Copperoliverbear · 06/01/2023 23:44

No definitely a trip to the vet. X

LBF2020 · 06/01/2023 23:48

I just wanted to say I think you are doing the right thing @Istheresomethingwrong I can't imagine how hard it is to be in your position. The dog should have the operation if she's suffering and I'm sure your friend will be grateful. If she isn't, at least you know you've done right by her dog.
I can only hope that whoever looks after my dogs does such a good job.

unsync · 07/01/2023 00:17

I would be happy for my dogsitter and vet to take whatever action was deemed necessary for my dog's welfare. I wouldn't leave my dog with my dogsitter otherwise. It sounds like you are doing a great job and taking good care of this dog. 😊

purpledalmation · 07/01/2023 12:13

Looks like a cataract.

purpledalmation · 07/01/2023 12:15

Do you mean scratched cornea? Often from an ingrowing eyelash.