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Parotid Duct Transposition
What are the problems during and after surgery?
Hi! I realize it's been a while since anyone has added to this post, so not sure if you're still checking in, but I was curious if you did end up going through with the PDT surgery? If so, how did it go?
I am scheduled to take my dog in for her surgery in 2 weeks. She's a 2 year old Jack Russel, who's had symptoms for about a year. We've tried every drop out there (optimune, tacrolimus, pilocarpine - none of them have worked for her left eye - it's been at 0 since her first Schirmer test - the right did go from 2 to 22). She still gets the tacrolimus and lubrithol (tear gel), but no improvement.
I've been agonizing about the decision to give her the surgery, but her optho has basically said I have 3 options - surgery, remove the eye or put her down. As I can't stomach the thought of options 2 and 3, I've gone for the surgery. I was a bit put off by the price at first (the optho wanted $2400 for just the one eye, and still a lifetime of tacrolimus for the right). I live in Canada and our vets are for some reason way over priced. I did find one in Michigan that is able to do the surgery for $920. I've gone to see them and they seem competent, doing about 1 of these surgeries per month. Apparently it's quite common. They did give me some interesting info that her regular optho never bothered to share with me. One, Sophie is diagnosed as having juvenile KCS, and in the majority of cases, the eye will never respond to drops. Two, for some reason, the left eye is the worst one in about 90% of cases. I wish her Canadian optho had told me this. It makes me feel better knowing she's not overly abnormal.
So now she's going for the surgery and I've been told for most dogs, there are no issues. The biggest side effect I was told about (from both opthos) was the development of crystals due to the different pH of her saliva. I was directed to get her some distilled water to eliminate the excess minerals and help her eye heal. Also, I might have to go the Pavlov route and teach her to salivate on command. Both of those things I can deal with, but I'd like to know if there was anything else I should watch out for.
Any help/info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
I am scheduled to take my dog in for her surgery in 2 weeks. She's a 2 year old Jack Russel, who's had symptoms for about a year. We've tried every drop out there (optimune, tacrolimus, pilocarpine - none of them have worked for her left eye - it's been at 0 since her first Schirmer test - the right did go from 2 to 22). She still gets the tacrolimus and lubrithol (tear gel), but no improvement.
I've been agonizing about the decision to give her the surgery, but her optho has basically said I have 3 options - surgery, remove the eye or put her down. As I can't stomach the thought of options 2 and 3, I've gone for the surgery. I was a bit put off by the price at first (the optho wanted $2400 for just the one eye, and still a lifetime of tacrolimus for the right). I live in Canada and our vets are for some reason way over priced. I did find one in Michigan that is able to do the surgery for $920. I've gone to see them and they seem competent, doing about 1 of these surgeries per month. Apparently it's quite common. They did give me some interesting info that her regular optho never bothered to share with me. One, Sophie is diagnosed as having juvenile KCS, and in the majority of cases, the eye will never respond to drops. Two, for some reason, the left eye is the worst one in about 90% of cases. I wish her Canadian optho had told me this. It makes me feel better knowing she's not overly abnormal.
So now she's going for the surgery and I've been told for most dogs, there are no issues. The biggest side effect I was told about (from both opthos) was the development of crystals due to the different pH of her saliva. I was directed to get her some distilled water to eliminate the excess minerals and help her eye heal. Also, I might have to go the Pavlov route and teach her to salivate on command. Both of those things I can deal with, but I'd like to know if there was anything else I should watch out for.
Any help/info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
My 10-year-old mini Schnauzer, Fritz, developed KCS a year ago last November. I have followed early posts on this website early on and have taken note of the various methods of treatment in use. I have two minis and last year my pet expenses exceeded $5,000, and this did not include surgery, other than Fritz's teeth cleaning. I have tried early on switching his diet to one that did not include grains, but my female developed such an disgusting odor that I abandoned that after a couple of weeks. Fritz does not respond well to fish oil; he will not swallow the capsules and seems to develop a queasy stomach (barfing) when I sprinkle it in his food. He likewise does not do well with a fish-based pet food.
I believe that he developed this condition very shortly after switching him from Science Diet to another brand of pet food. So I can't help but feel that part of the cause may be food sensitivity/allergy. He does suffer from skin-allergies (to grasses, I think), and forms tartar on his teeth very quickly. He seems to do better on lamb and rice-based foods, but his triglyceride levels are way over the top, so he is now on a chicken-based low-fat prescription diet which, it appears to me, is not as good for his eyes.
He is on Tacrolimus x3, cyclosporine x3, presnosolone acetate x2, and 25mg doxecycline daily, with administration of Genteal ointment, Idrop, Soothe XP, and artificial tears frequently throughout the day. His tear production was 0 and 6 last reading, which was a decline from the previous tear test. His last ulcer left him with a deep corneal facette in his right eye, but there is good blood circulation which I'm told is a positive. He also has mild entropion on both eyes from squinting.
I am reminded that parotid duct transposition is still an option, but 60% success rate does not sound all that encouraging to me. The above posts have really not reassured me. With all his problems, Fritz is still a happy dog, but there is increasing coloration, although at this point minimal, that causes to me search for additional information that might lead to more effective treatment of his condition.
Is it felt that Optimune is more effective than the cyclosporine suspension? We are investigating the possibility of using an aqueous solution, but with medication costs as they are, I am investigating all possibilities.
I believe that he developed this condition very shortly after switching him from Science Diet to another brand of pet food. So I can't help but feel that part of the cause may be food sensitivity/allergy. He does suffer from skin-allergies (to grasses, I think), and forms tartar on his teeth very quickly. He seems to do better on lamb and rice-based foods, but his triglyceride levels are way over the top, so he is now on a chicken-based low-fat prescription diet which, it appears to me, is not as good for his eyes.
He is on Tacrolimus x3, cyclosporine x3, presnosolone acetate x2, and 25mg doxecycline daily, with administration of Genteal ointment, Idrop, Soothe XP, and artificial tears frequently throughout the day. His tear production was 0 and 6 last reading, which was a decline from the previous tear test. His last ulcer left him with a deep corneal facette in his right eye, but there is good blood circulation which I'm told is a positive. He also has mild entropion on both eyes from squinting.
I am reminded that parotid duct transposition is still an option, but 60% success rate does not sound all that encouraging to me. The above posts have really not reassured me. With all his problems, Fritz is still a happy dog, but there is increasing coloration, although at this point minimal, that causes to me search for additional information that might lead to more effective treatment of his condition.
Is it felt that Optimune is more effective than the cyclosporine suspension? We are investigating the possibility of using an aqueous solution, but with medication costs as they are, I am investigating all possibilities.
Mary I sent you my email address, but not sure it worked. Did you receive it? Thx. Paula
Recovery was not difficult for me..... I don't remember having to put drops in, but not sure. I stayed home with her. I have a second doxie and I did not want her (Amy) to bother Brandy's eye. She was good and they snuggled a lot. I had to take Brandy back to the surgeon the next morning for a post-op check-up. Actually I brought Brandy home just 2 hours after her surgery - not normally done, but it was a Friday, Dr. Tucci was sure that Brandy would be more comfortable at home. I was a bit shocked when I got her - she was moaning - not in pain but due to morphine, plus the affects of the anesthesia. All turned out well, I am fortunate that I live so close to the surgeon's office - just 11 blocks. If you like, we can exchange email addresses and I can send you a couple photos. She had to wear the dreaded cone for about 2 weeks. Simplicef is an antibiotic. Mary
Thank you. I will probably go through with it....it is just really hard. Can you tell me what the recovery was like? I was told he will have to wear a cone for 10-14 days and it is vital to keep the eye protected while it heals. Some bigger dogs will dig with their cones in the snow-I live in Minnesota. Mike likes to bury his face in the snow, so I'm going to be watching closely. I am home, and don't mind doing some drops daily, but wish not to annoy him by constant checking and cleaning a re-moisturizing. He will probably enjoy getting a Charlie Bear when needed more that a drop or ointment. :-)
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