There is probably a middle ground on this, ladies. I think it is more than reasonable to suggest a visit to the ophthalmologist. Opacities aren't generally emergencies, though, so there is probably no need for an "immediate" visit. If we are going to use the reasoning that the person seeing the dog should make the decisions, then we have to remember that the veterinarian who DID see the dog felt that it was not an emergent problem. So it probably isn't up to us, who haven't seen the dog, to say that the problem requires immediate attention.
There is often a wait, sometimes a month or more, for an appointment with an ophthalmologist in some locations, unless one has a referral from a veterinarian who says that the problem requires immediate consultation. Therefore, it is also reasonable to ask a list such as this to give the owner some ideas on what the problem might be, just to relieve one's anxiety while waiting for the next ophthalmology clinic. Fortunately, we are able to tell her that very small opacities in the middle of the eye are usually corneal dystrophy, fairly common in cavaliers, and that the type of corneal dystrophy that cavaliers usually have is generally not a problem, or even a disqualification for breeding. If the opacity is in the lens, then perhaps it could be a cataract, but the vet probably would have called it that, and anyway, a cataract is generally not an emergency, either. Leanne ----- Original Message ----- > I found this response interesting to say the least. One of the things > that has always bothered me about the lists, not only this one, is that > people ask health questions of us, most of whom are not vets and who > have never seen the dog, know it's history, etc. Then they get answers > from well meaning people who really have no knowledge of the dogs > problem. ----Original message---- > > > > > Last night took my Cavalier girl in for her annual checkup and the vet (not my > > > usual one) said she was very healthy; however she spotted a very small > > > opacity in her right eye. --Original message--- Please, go to an > > opthomologist immediately! ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 1999 by its original author.
