Eye Problems Not Getting Better

[bethanym901]

My cat’s eye has been swollen and infected for a few months.  My cat doesn’t have any other medical problems, no fever and is eating and acting fine.  She has always had a blocked tear duct in this eye all her life.  It has always been a weeping eye, but it has never been infected or swelled.  This first started out as what seemed to be a cold as I heard some noisy breathing from her.  Then the third eyelid showed up in one eye.  Then it started to show some goop in it.  I keep taking her to the vet and we have had a few rounds of antibiotics and anti inflammatory with no luck.  The vet first put her on Gentamicin Sulfate eye drops and I gave her Lysine.  This helped the goop but the third eyelid was still showing and within a week the goop was back. The cold did seem to be gone, but then swelling started in the cheek under the eye, the third eye lid was swollen and the white goop was back.  We then tried Cephalexin orally, Gentamicin Sulfate eye drops and an anti inflammatory/pain pills.  The swelling in her cheek went down and the white goop from her eye got better but her third eye was still showing.  Within a few days off the meds, it was getting worse, a really swollen third eyelid and cheek and white goop.  I took her back to the vet again today and they gave her an ointment that the vet said was a high dose of an anti-inflammatory.  It instantly started to get better.  The vet said I can’t take any home because it weakens the immune system too much.  The vet said instead we would schedule to put her under and do an x-ray and if it shows an abscess of the tooth root, then they will extract it at a cost of $900!  If the x-ray doesn’t show an abscess then they will flush the tear ducts and the cost would be $500.  As of tonight, the swelling is all gone thanks to that high dose of anti-inflammatory I can't take home.  I really want to get to the bottom of why this is happening, but I’m starting to doubt my vet is of any help with this but would hate to have to start all over with a new vet.  The vet has not done any blood tests or any tests of any kind except the black light/drop test looking for a scratch on the cornea.  I just want to get her better and fast.  Any idea on what this could be?  Is that accurate that I can’t give her the ointment that seemed to help the problem due to an immune risk?  Anyone have any suggestions or know what this could be?  Should I go get a second opinion or should I just do the procedures.  Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

PS... This pictures if from this morning before the latest vet appointment.  The swelling is now down with just the corner of the third eye lid showing.

[bethanym901]

Thank you!

[opus88]

hi so srry to red about your poor kitty and her problems, I do think your Vet is trying to get to the root of the problem by doing the x-ray and looking for a possible problem with the tooth root...this is called a FLORA and is very painful...usually the third eye lid indicates there is PAIN. When the gentamyacin and lysine and antibiotics aren't working there is something much deeper causing the issue. I do warn you abt using oral antinflamatories on cats...this is very dangerous for them!!!!  use as a topical eye drop only please...
We are only pet parents here and can't advise on anything outside our own personal experience. IMO I would get that x-ray done asap.
You can also post your question to our Medhelp Vet. Dr. Redford. I will give you a link to his site....good luck, please come back and let us all know how kitty does OK..sending my prayers and wishes♥

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Animal-Health---General/show/112?controller=forums&action=show&id=112&camp=msc