My Eyes Hurt
Our new arrival, little blind Briggs, is having a terrible flare-up with his eyes today. We had noticed yesterday that he was sleeping a lot, more so than the other dogs, but we thought it was probably just because of the trip. Yet this morning it was clear his eyes were suddenly very painful. He was squinting a lot and had a lot of tearing, sure signs of ocular pain. I called our primary care vet, Dr. Brenda Culver, first thing. She suspected, as we did, that he's going through a pressure spike with his glaucoma, so Brenda had me put him on some pain and anti-inflammatory medications. I took that photo above of Briggs this afternoon, and you can see how painful those eyes look. I bet he was probably sleeping a lot and was more subdued yesterday because he felt the pressure spike coming on.
In this next photo he's not sleeping but actually rubbing his eyes repeatedly:
I had earlier scheduled an appointment for Brenda to see Briggs tomorrow morning in Helena, so we'll have a much better idea then of what's going on with him.
As much as his eyes were hurting, it didn't keep him from looking forward to his dinner tonight. While I was writing this, Alayne was in the dining room filling the 23 dog bowls, and Briggs heard the food being stirred and came to life. He raced into the dining room and stood next to Alayne, baying at her until she finally gave him his bowl. A hurting Beagle is still, well, a food-motivated Beagle!
(In case you're wondering, the 23 bowls are for the dogs who stay with us in our house and the cottages next to our house; the rest of the dog family is over at Widget's House.)
The pain is so clear in his poor little face.
If they could only speak.
Posted by:Heather R. | February 27, 2008 at 08:23 PM
Poor boy! Hope treatment will give him quick relief.
Briggs, you are in good care.
Posted by:Nina | February 27, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Get well soon, Briggs! I'm glad that you still have your appetite...yep, you and Snoopy sure love your suppertime!
Posted by:Shelli Smith | February 27, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Those eyes do look painful! Ouch! I hope he can soon get relief from the pain. It's good to know it doesn't keep him from eating, though.
Hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by:ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | February 27, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Briggs, it makes my eyes hurt just looking at yours. You are in good hands and I'm certain relief is on the way. Make sure to stake out an extra-cozy blanket, and hopefully the meds will do some magic for you!
Posted by:Margaret | February 27, 2008 at 11:50 AM
What a sweet picture...please keep us posted on how he's doing!
Posted by:Brenda G | February 27, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Poor Briggs - it hurts just to look at his swollen eyes. I'm glad his condition hasn't affected his appetite!
Posted by:jeanne | February 27, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Aw Briggs - you are really adorable, eyes and all. I hope you get better and better - soon. You are in great hands!
Posted by:usfour | February 27, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Such a cutie. Hope he's feeling better soon.
Posted by:gayle | February 27, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Those do look like painful eyes!
I hope Briggs is feeling some relief this morning.
Work your magic good Dr. Culver!
Posted by:Boundforglory | February 27, 2008 at 07:13 AM
Poor Briggs!! Looking at his eyes made me squint!! 23 bowls of dog food.. geez and I only have to fill 5 dogs bowls and 2 outside kitty bowls....
Posted by:Debbie | February 27, 2008 at 06:58 AM
OMG, those eyes do look terribly painful, don't they?
Do you think Briggs's eyes will have to be removed or his glaucoma can be kept under control with medication?
I wish sweet Briggs a speedy recovery either way.
Posted by:Carla Polastro-Nigro | February 27, 2008 at 04:27 AM
Briggs is a little darling and he didn't arrive at RDR a minute to soon. You'll get him to feel better in no time.
Posted by:Shirley & James, Portland, OR | February 26, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Poor little Briggs...hope the pain meds work fast and well. What an adorable Beagle he is!
Posted by:Abby Creek Art | February 26, 2008 at 06:34 PM