Following Carmel's eye exam last week, our vet in Helena, Dr. Brenda Culver, consulted with our veterinary ophthalmologist, Dr. Bill Yakely of the Animal Eye Clinic in Spokane, Washington. Brenda had also sent Dr. Yakely some photos I had taken of Carmel's eyes, including the one above.
It turns out that Carmel has a corneal dystrophy. This is a fairly rare condition that includes a number of different types of dystrophies, depending on which part of the cornea is involved. Some breeds are more disposed to corneal dystrophy than others. Beagles are more likely to get a stromal corneal dystrophy, which affects the stroma, or thickest layer, of the cornea. Some ophthalmologists call the cornea the "windshield" of the eye, and there are five layers to it.
In many cases these corneal dystrophies do not cause blindness and are not painful, though Carmel is clearly different. Her corneal dystrophy has caused a diffuse corneal edema, or fluid, to completely cloud the eye. She is, in effect, blind from an obstruction. And her eyes hurt.
Dr. Yakely told Brenda that corneal transplants are not currently an option for the stromal corneal dystrophy, though there is research going on in academic circles on this problem. So Brenda is contacting a veterinary ophthalmologist at a veterinary teaching hospital who is involved in this research to see what else we could do for Carmel. It is entirely possible that without the edema obstructing her vision, she could see just fine.
At this point that's all we know -- stay tuned for further updates!
I'm sorry to hear that Carmel's eyes do in fact hurt, animals deal with pain so differently than humans.
We all hope for good things to happen with Carmel's eye.
Keep up posted, as you always do.
Posted by: Boundforglory | June 12, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Oh sweet Carmel--help is on it's way!!! You are so full of life! I hope your future includes sight but either way you have a great life at RDR!
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | June 12, 2008 at 01:10 AM
Keeping our fingers crossed here is Missouri that Carmel will be able to regain her sight and be pain free! She sure is one lucky girl who has people in her corner willing to seek out and find a way to help her.
Posted by: Suzanne | June 11, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Thank you again for all you are doing for Carmel.You are wonderful people. I will keep my fingers crossed that you can find away for her not to be in such pain.
Posted by: Kathy Soden | June 11, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Fingers crossed there is good news to come for Carmel. :)
Posted by: Andrew, NZ | June 11, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Thanks for the update, Steve!
I'm leaving tomorrow for two weeks in Central Asia. Upon my return home, I do hope to hear that Carmel's edema has been successfully removed and her vision restored. In the meantime, I'll be keeping her in my thoughts and prayers.
A big hug to you all.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | June 11, 2008 at 05:13 AM