Rare eye disease? It even stumped the vet...

[Elizabeth]

Two nights ago I noticed that my dog's left eye had this strange white piece--I thought maybe it was a scratch mark--just above the iris. I gently pulled back the lid and found the normally white area bloodshot. Yesterday morning the eye was still abnormal and had become "cloudy," so I scheduled an appointment for this morning. The "cloud" looked slightly thicker when I checked on her today, and I also noticed just a hint of the same thing happening in her right eye, minus the scratch-mark-looking thing; it's difficult to see at this point but it's definitely there.

The vet checked her out and didn't know what it was. She tested for tumors and the result was negative. She used a small device to check the pressure in her eyes, and the normal eye gave a reading of 17 while the other was 8. (I'm still unclear about what this means, except that the eye might not be draining properly; however it's a big number difference so it worries me.) She did blood work, gave me two kinds of medication for her in case it is an infection, and sent us home.

We're going back on Friday or Saturday for the results of the blood work, but in the meantime I'd like to at least research this if possible. Does anyone know what this might be, or a good website (or twelve) to get me started?

Thanks in advance.

[k9Karen]

The increased pressure suggests glaucoma, but a fungal infection also may be a possibility.

[davet]

there is also a slight possibility that it might be a cholesterol plaque forming which is no problem but that won;t accout for the icrese in pressure...might be good, if your bet doesnt have a diagnosis to seek an oopthalmologists opinion

[Guest]

Hi. I appreciate the replies.

Here's an update: the vet called this morning and said the blood looked fine, but they're still checking it to see if she has a fungal infection. She consulted with two specialists who think my dog might have a corneal dystrophy. I'm still treating it with the medication she gave me but if it doesn't look like it's getting better, I'll take her to an ophthalmologist.