Eye, oops, I have good news and concerning news about my latest eye exam. The good news is in terms of the Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis, my eye is status quo! No signs of the disease progressing. In fact, the ophthalmologist was so pleased that he reduced my eyedrops from 4 times a day to 3! This means no more waking Mom or Dad in the night to give me that extra drop!
The concerning news though is that a small hemorrhage has developed in my eye again. The eye doctor reassured us that it is small, compared to the previous one. However, as he did before, he suspects there could be something going on elsewhere in my body that is causing the inflammation in the eye. As discussed back in 2023, when it last occurred, it could be a tick-borne disease, or an undetected underlying condition. Therefore, he recommended I see my primary vet to have some tests done.
Luckily, I already had my biannual senior dog appointment scheduled with Dr. Doug the following week. So off I went with the ophthalmologists’s recommendations for tests. This included attempting to get an accurate reading on my blood pressure. If you recall from the last time, that’s easier said than done. I tend to get really happy being surrounded by my friends at the animal hospital. Back in 2023, the results were inconclusive because they were all over the map. However at that time, the eye specialist did not think hypertension was the cause based on the fact that the previous hemorrhage healed on its own, only to reappear months later. It would be more consistent if due to high blood pressure. This time around, the plan is to get 3 readings, on three separate visits, and Dr. Doug will average them out. However, neither my eye doctor or Dr. Doug are too optimistic we’ll ever get an accurate reading. I LOVE going to see my friends at the animal hospital, and tend to wiggle a lot, even in a down/stay.
Next Dr. Doug did a full senior blood panel, and sent it out to a lab for testing. Thankfully the results came back with nothing suspicious. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2023, and one theory was perhaps the dosage of my medication was off causing inflammation in my body. However, the blood work confirmed my thyroid medicine is the accurate dose.
Sadly as we learned from Chuck Billy, it is possible to have a normal blood panel, but still have something lurking. So both my ophthalmologist and primary vet recommended I get a full cavity scan. That’s fancy talk for peeking under the hood at my belly.
Tomorrow I will be returning to the animal hospital, this time to see a specialist to get an ultrasound of my belly. They will be checking my spleen for any abnormalities, and will also look at my chest cavity. My primary vet is also getting in contact with my eye doctor, to see if he has anything specific he thinks the ultrasonographer should look for or further tests I should get.
Please remember this is all just a fact finding mission. All signs are coming back good so far! Paws crossed the small hemorrhage will heal on its own like the previous time. And let’s not forget the good news that my Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis has had no change, and I’m now getting fewer eyedrops!
Tomorrow I’ll be busy getting those scans, and another attempt at my blood pressure, so I won’t be around to chat. I’ll keep you posted once I learn anything about the tests! As always we thank you for your prayers and positive vibes on my journey with Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis. Your support truly means the world to us! Thank You!
