- Jul 11, 2013
- 83
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Evening , Roz --- Yes, I agree.
A collection of pus is not dangerous in itself as it is just a sign of an active immune response. In fighting the infection the dead white blood cells etc have collected and the body will reabsorb it eventually but ideally it should be drained...
This is probably the site of the original injury where just enough bacteria got embedded to get a toehold. And you know the problem. This small abscess is isolated enough that antibiotics whether injectable or oral do not really reach it as the circulation in that part of the eye is just small capillaries. So it really comes down to the ophthalmic ointment. Even so do not stop the injectable antibiotics since they should stop the spread of infection (ie systemic sepsis).
What antibiotic is in your ointment? It is probably broad spectrum enough but I want to check. What I wouldn't give for BLUE pus right now! At least we would know that we were dealing with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. I suppose it is just the usual thin whitish - yellow? The usual suspect here besides strains of Staph & Strep would be Pasteurella multocida which is normally found in the upper respiratory tract of chickens. (Yes, it causes Fowl Cholera but some birds will be asymptomatic carriers.) P. multocida commonly causes corneal ulcers. The bacteria is sensitive to penicillins, cephalosporins and tetracyclines ( and probably other antibiotics --- need to check).
When you examine her eye, how does the conjunctiva look? Red? Swollen? Or are we mainly confined to this "white cap" over the iris? (That is an accurate description of a corneal ulcer.) You may not be able to just wipe that away as I suggested. It will probably come down to the antibiotics which is why you need a broad spectrum ointment or even alternating between two different types.
It's late so I will come back to the loose ends tomorrow. Keep me updated as you can but I understand you will be busy with work for a few days. I will be checking in if you need me.
Take Care!
A collection of pus is not dangerous in itself as it is just a sign of an active immune response. In fighting the infection the dead white blood cells etc have collected and the body will reabsorb it eventually but ideally it should be drained...
This is probably the site of the original injury where just enough bacteria got embedded to get a toehold. And you know the problem. This small abscess is isolated enough that antibiotics whether injectable or oral do not really reach it as the circulation in that part of the eye is just small capillaries. So it really comes down to the ophthalmic ointment. Even so do not stop the injectable antibiotics since they should stop the spread of infection (ie systemic sepsis).
What antibiotic is in your ointment? It is probably broad spectrum enough but I want to check. What I wouldn't give for BLUE pus right now! At least we would know that we were dealing with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. I suppose it is just the usual thin whitish - yellow? The usual suspect here besides strains of Staph & Strep would be Pasteurella multocida which is normally found in the upper respiratory tract of chickens. (Yes, it causes Fowl Cholera but some birds will be asymptomatic carriers.) P. multocida commonly causes corneal ulcers. The bacteria is sensitive to penicillins, cephalosporins and tetracyclines ( and probably other antibiotics --- need to check).
When you examine her eye, how does the conjunctiva look? Red? Swollen? Or are we mainly confined to this "white cap" over the iris? (That is an accurate description of a corneal ulcer.) You may not be able to just wipe that away as I suggested. It will probably come down to the antibiotics which is why you need a broad spectrum ointment or even alternating between two different types.
It's late so I will come back to the loose ends tomorrow. Keep me updated as you can but I understand you will be busy with work for a few days. I will be checking in if you need me.
Take Care!
Take care, Sherilyn
