Update on Derry's Eye

Our regular vet is off this week; Derry saw a new vet, probably fresh out of veterinary college.


She said she could see something at the edge of the cornea, but it wasn't picking up the stain and wasn't presenting as a corneal ulcer typically would. I asked if there was a chance it was cancer and she didn't think so. She really didn't know what it was. Possibly caused by the virus, possibly a scratch, possibly something else. She sent me home with antibiotic drops and instructions to put one or two drops in Derry's eye three to four times a day, for seven days.

Hahaha.

(She also had offered Metacam, presumably for any discomfort, but I declined at this time, not liking its use in cats.)

Anyway, I watched a number of YouTube videos, with apparently very passive cats, then I wrestled with Derry for about 10 minutes mid-afternoon, to sort of maybe get one drop in and that was that. Gave him a treat and a brushing session afterward, to end on a pleasant note. Of course the vet had no problem getting the first drop in this morning, because Derry was too scared to struggle.

He's now ensconced under the guest bed, well out of my reach, and has been for the past couple of hours. I will be surprised if I see him downstairs again today. He should get another drop before bedtime, but I don't foresee that happening! (If/when he comes out, I will close that bedroom door and leave it closed for the week.)

I will schedule the next appointment with our regular vet, who presumably returns next week.

And that is that!

So once again, my best wishes to all for a happy new year. At least happier and easier than the past two have been.


Peace.

Comments

It could be just a scratch or inflamation. I don't like Metacam either but can't use it since everyone here is on Prednisolone. Before the Pred, a five day course seemed okay. Purrs to sweet Derry. Happy New Year from all of us!
Dearest Kim,
Oh good grief, catching Derry that often for administering him eye drops is nearly impossible.
IF they burn as much as e.g. Pieter's drops for his two-weeks schedule, good luck.
Our fur babies are not stupid and they know the noises and recognize what is in our hands...
It takes both of us for administering those pipette in their neck. They HATE them! They must obviously give a burning sensation or whatever. It always makes my heart ache but what can we do?!
All we want is that our fur babies don't have to suffer anything and we have to rely on the knowledge and care of a vet. Not always the best of luck as we have had once that experience. The same that handed us the wrong pipettes, the ones that protect against ticks but NOT heart worm, caused our Spooky's death at only 4.5 years of age. Next the same female vet used such a pressure pump for vaccination. It was the Mama cat that wet herself as it scared her to death and our Barty boy soiled his pet carrier. So we switched vet as we did not want to put them through anything like that again!
Good luck with your boy and hoping it will soon go away.
Hugs and Happy New to you!
Our kitties got so scared from the fire works... Tiggy Tiger girl is not yet home. She must be hiding somewhere. Hate this.
Mariette
Saku said…
I just got the e-mail with the update and said to myself, update, what happened? So I came to find there were two posts. Not sure why I did not get the notification on the first. I'll blame my e-mail provider.

Hopefully whatever is causing the eye issue for Derry is resolved soon. I'm pretty you and he will tired of the wrestling routine. Can you burrito him in a towel? That worked, sometimes, with Sasha but that cat would untwist a towel faster than you can say burrito.

Happy New Year Kim! Wishing you all the best in 2022.
meowmeowmans said…
Yes, those YouTube videos always make it seem easy, but most cats are not as calm and happy-go-lucky as the ones in the videos. LOL.

We hope it's just a little scratch or irritation when all is said and done.

Happy New Year!
ZOOLATRY said…
Sigh, I can barely get June into a carrier to take her to her vet in the first place ... she always KNOWS something is about to happen and it's off to the top of the kitchen cabinets ... I will nonetheless wish you the best with treating dear Derry as must be done, as hard as it may be. And also sending you hopes for all good things in this new year. Hugs and love, Ann (no mention of June who is hiding yet again!)
I do wish you the best of luck with the eye drops. When Precious first came to live with us 9 years ago she had a cloud inside her eyeball. We had to give her eye drops two or three times a day for two weeks, and believe me it took two of us to do it. I do hope it's nothing serious and then it will clear up. And I understand about under the bed, as Precious has not stopped hiding under the bed all day everyday since she had her vet appointment and her teeth cleaned. Hope your regular doctor is back to work next week and you can make it in there.
The J-Cats said…
We hate it when Mummy tries to administer eye drops. She has better luck with ointment but it's always touch and go. We also know the signs - and She has lots of new tricks for fooling Us.
Maybe it was a little scratch. When when they have healed they can still irritate for a while.
Good luck with administering the eye drops. When Flynn first became ill I had to medicate him three times a day and he would fight tooth and nail. By trial and error I found wrapping him in a fairly big towel, and bringing the long bit around to the front and tucking in well underneath him so his feet and body kept it in place, and holding him firmly between my knees so I had two free hands worked well. Thankfully he got used to it after a few weeks, and although he always disliked it he would sit quietly and accept it. A kiss on the head afterwards and all was forgiven.
Happy New Year to you and Derry.
Katie Isabella said…
I got both blogs at the same time too. But grateful that I did. Kim, I love your har style! And its I could ever let mine air dry I would be so happy! However it is naturally wavy and drys as frizzy as a wad of cotton! The color of your sweater suits you perfectly too. Derry, no cat will ever NOT give their mom a hard time with pills and drops. Mom has a special Katie fund to pay someone to come here and do it! That's how bad it is.
Linda said…
Hope Derry improves. Been missing for awhile as had computer issues, but now have a new laptop and hopefully things will improve. Happy New Year.
ANGEL ABBYGRACE said…
I hope that Derry feels better very quickly and hoping the eyedrops work for him (and you!). There is nothing like giving medicines to an unwilling cat. Did you by chance try the purrito method?
John Bellen said…
Once a cat gets wise to what needs to be done, he can be clever about avoiding it. The best of luck with him in this new year.
Hopeful that is just a scratch as others have said. I agree that it would be extremely unlikely that it would be cancer. (Thank COD!) So happy to see this handsome boy! Wishing you a happy, healthy, safe, prosperous and blessed New Year!! (Yes I did receive your card! Thank you!) I probably forgot to send a thank you note......UGH!!
Thanks for the update, I hope it's nothing serious
catladymac said…
Sending purrayers and POTP
Poppy Q said…
Oh my gosh Kim I feel for you. Miss pops had to have eye drops and antibiotics for eye troubles about 8 years ago and I had to get her admitted to the vet as I could not do it by myself. If only I lived close by and could come and help.

Would the old clothes peg on the scruff of the neck help? My vet used this when showing me how to give fluids to my old cat Puss.

Good luck and I hope Derry feels better soon.

Julie and poppyq
dood.....we iz sorree ta heer ya haz a funkee with yur eye; N sorree bout de medz two

az we all wayz due, we send de blessingz oh st francis two ewe that thiz heelz up quik

when gram paw dude had ta take sum PURPILL stuff, de hole bottle, one squirt went
inta him; de rest decorated de wallz, rugz and kitchen cabinetz ;)

best fishez ♥♥ happee 2022 two ee N mom ♥♥
I'm sorry to hear about Derry's eye and the eyedrop situation.
Sending purrs that everyone is doing OK.
SuziQCat said…
Purrs for Derry...hope the eye is feeling better now.