Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 8/2/2008

Question
Hi,
I picked up my new family member on friday. She came from the humane
society. She is 6 or 7 years old. Lab/Terrier mix. She looks like a puppy lab
but she is full grown. Before picking her up she was brought into the humane
society with flea's, not having been spayed and I believe some internal
parasites. She was treated for fleas and immediately upon the completion of
the treatment was spayed. I picked her up the day after the spay. The society
gave me no medication for her to keep her not in pain. So I took her in to get
some medication. She developed what was a staph infection on her belly
probably an allergic reaction to something outside. Tests on pending on that.
Two days ago she got into some food she was not to eat. I  took her to the
vet and they had her vomit. They were unable to enduce it by simple pressure
points so they used eye administered morphine. The eye which was sprayed
is now red. Looks sort of like pink or tired eye. I know that eyes are extremely
sensitive and any tiny thing can turn into a big thing first. Her pupil is no
more dialted then the other eye. It is not cloudy. No viens are visible. She
seems as th ough she is in no pain. Then again she is till on pain medication
for her surgery as well as benadryl for her stomach infection. The benadryl
will make her tired. This I know. When I leave and return she is always at the
door and wants attention. Other then what seems like normal responses to
benadryl she seems ok. Is the eye something to worry about? Should I get it
checked ASAP? Boy I have been to the emergency vet so much they are gonna
think im nutz.
Adam

Answer
Ben -

They probably used apomorphine to make her vomit. Morphine is used to control pain; apomorphnie is used to control vomiting.   If her eye does not clear up in 72 hours from the time of the vet visit call the vet's office and let them know your concerns. They may ask you to bring her in to flush her conjunctiva where the medication was administered.

You should be commended for taking such good care of your pet; more kudos for adopting her from the Humane Society.

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM