Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I wrote in a few months ago with a success story of our pooch Kash (our 8 year old miracle Rottweiler) who is now going on 1 year and 3 months post surgery (no chemo/radiation).
Over the last couple weeks, we have noticed that she is producing a lot of yellow, puss-like eye boogers throughout the day (not like the regular sleep crust). I looked it up and it seems this could be a sign of a lot of different things from allergies to colds to conjunctivitis. But I wanted to check with those that have been through this....did any of you notice this as one of the signs of the cancer spreading? She doesn't seem to have too many other symptoms that point that direction, and I always sort of thought coughing would be the next sign to look for.
We are reluctant to take her to the vet because if it is the cancer, there is not much we would do other than meds if she was in pain (which it appears she is not at this point). If it is anything else, I feel like it's not that serious and should clear up on it's own. So either way, I don't know that a vet visit makes a whole lot of sense. Plus we told her no more doctor visits, so we'd like to try to stick to that unless absolutely necessary 🙂
Just looking for some feedback from people that went through this stage. I'm always on the look out for the "next sign" and this is the first thing that seems like it could be related somehow.
Thanks for your thoughts.
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Welcome back Kash and family! It's great to hear she's doing so well other than the eye issue.
As far as I know, an eye issue like that usually isn't related to cancer metastasis, but you just don't know. I'm sure the chances are rare, but what I would be more concerned about is the eye issue turning into something more serious and adding more complications, then weakening her immune system.
For example, I just met a pup whose eye infection turned into a bad post-nasal drip that then created a bad abscess in his mouth. He needed antibiotics, etc. and t could have been avoided if his people hadn't waited so long.
So I know doctor visits are the pits, but it's better to know what the eye boogers are related to rather than letting it go and turning it into something else, dontcha think? Maybe you could reward her after the visit with a big juicy steak?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm not vet, but have had lots of bouts with yellow mucus from the eye or eyes with my current and former dog (Yoda). Usually it's something easily taken care of by the vet. Somthing just irritated the eye (or, a bit worse, possibly scratched the eye). An ointment might be all it takes. Not sure what they do if there's a scratch, cause that was never the case with my dogs, but it didn't sound horrible when they went over that possibility in the vet's office. I wouldn't wait though to get it checked! Cause something like a scratch can get worse without treatment - I think!
My current dog, Gerry, also had something called disticchia (pretty sure I spelled that right), which took a while for them to find. We had to come back in a couple times when the mucus returned after using the ointment as prescribed. It was an eyelash growing in the eye. in fact, I'm pretty sure he had one in each eye. It's more common in dogs with smooshed faces like bulldogs, so I was a little skeptical, but once they zapped 'em, no problems since! Disticchia is also something that I believe can damage the eye if left to grow too long. This was over 2 years ago, I believe and no cancer for Gerry then.
Yoda did have osteossarcoma and while on chemo his eyes oozed yellow mucus. Though his oncologist had never heard of that kind of allergic reaction to the carboplatin, it was very clear that that was the cause, because when his cancer metastisized, we discontinued the carboplatin and for his remaining months he had no more mucus. It immediately cleared up when carboplatin was discontinued.
I'm putting my money on there being no cancer connection.
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
I am all for getting the vet's opinion, for peace of mind if nothing more!
However, I can weigh in on this subject with some authority. Zeus has had noticable eye boogies for at least a year before diagnosis and I'm pretty certain they were allergy related. Mid-way through his chemo, the discharge took on a yellowish color and one eye was quite red. I took him to the vet b/c I knew that his immune system was weakened from the chemo. I was told that the dog's eye is mostly independant of the rest of his organs and that typically an infection of the eye is not representative of 'systemic involvement.' That said, they may have meant that an eye infection is unlikey to spread to other parts (which was my concern due to the chemo/weakened immune) rather than whether it is a symptom of other issues.
Maybe they would be able to tell you by phone whether this can be a sign of spread since that is just a general question rather than a treatment question?
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
I don't want to scare you but thought I should say something. Levi near the end had eye discharge that turned in to a runny nose...we thought it was just an infection but after weeks of different antibiotics it wouldn't go away. At that point we realized it must be some sort of cancer spread...I'd probably have it checked out if it continues maybe he has some sort of infection. I will be praying it's nothing!!
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
Magnum was always getting lots of discharge but I don't remember it being yellow. That sounds like a possible infection and worth a visit to the vet. It sounds unlikely (but not impossible) that it is cancer and if it is an eye infection it would be best to jump on it before it gets any worse.
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
I have had pugs for 13 years and all of them have or had eye problems. In my experience when the eye goober turn yellow it is a sign of some kind of infection. Has Kash been rubbing her eyes or squinting? Those are signs of a scratch on the eye- they can be very painful and if the scratch gets infected it can threaten vision and the eye itself. Do her eyes look cloudy? That is another sign of an infection in the eye itself.
There are other eye diseases which could produce yellow goobers. I rescued a kitten once that had a respritory infection and it had yellow discharge from its nose and both eyes. Maggie had two kinds of cancer (not OSA though) and she never had yellow eye goobers, even near the end.
My guess is that there is some sort of infection that probably should be looked at by your vet. I respect your desire to not take her unnecessarily, I did the same thing with Maggie towards the end. But I would be worried that this is something that can be fixed and spare Kash's immune system from trying to fight off something on its own.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Thanks for the feedback everyone. We've decided take her in today to have it looked at. It's been about a week of discharge and I wasn't that concerned at first since I didn't see any other signs, but yesterday she didn't eat and I noticed how red the white parts of her eyes were. So something more serious is going on, and we don't want to take any chances. I hope it's something that will clear right up with the right meds, and hopefully not cancer related. Wish us luck! We'll keep you posted.
Paws crossed it's something super easy to take care of! keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well, it's been a week of treatment for conjunctivitis (using eye drops). The Vet thought it was unlikely this is a cancer issue. However, she also said it should clear up within 5-7 days of treatment. She seemed to be doing better initially, but now a full week later, I think this might be something else. She has lost her spark, still has some eye irritation, but perhaps the most concerning thing is that she is super clumsy and her legs seem weaker. She doesn't get excited to eat or walk anymore (2 of her favorite activities), and I have to coax her even to get her outside to pee.
I will take her back to the vet soon to address these concerns, but I have a feeling her body is starting to shut down. It's almost like she has aged 5 years in only a couple weeks. Oh man...hopefully I am wrong, but I am definitely worried. Thanks everyone for your support!
Sorry to hear she is not doing well. I hope a visit to the vet will help.
Sending pawsitive thoughts for you and your girl.
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Darn, I had hoped that she would be doing better by now. Hang in there, think pawsitive and let us know what the vet says. We are thinking of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I was searching the forum and had the same symptoms occur in my dog. She was diagnose with bone cancer 6 months ago had surgery also a rottie. About two weeks ago just did a complete 180 (not eating, to weak to get up, drank lots of water, fever) and had lots of yellowish eye discharge. Other symptoms pointed to a kidney infection so she was place on baytril. She got better but still had the eye discharging yellowish gunk. Just wondering what the outcome was with Kash?
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