Wart on Eyelid of Older Anatolian Shepherd Dog

[Araucana Nest]

Hello, does anyone have experience with this delicate situation. The wart is outside of the eye on the lower lid. My vet said it would need surgical removal, which would mean anesthesia. She is nine years old and Anatolians don't do well with anesthesia; it isn't something I want to risk. Wondering if anyone here has had success removing a wart with a purchased or homemade product? This dog means the world to me. She's retired from livestock guarding and I'd like for her to live a long and happy life. Here she is as a younger livestock guardian dog.

 

[Peaches Lee]

If the Vet feels this needs surgical removal, it is very unlikely to come off with topical applications--which is the only "home remedy" I can think of for wart/skin tag/mass removal on a dog's eye. The mass is most likely to continue to grow and possibly cause problems down the road (dry eye, corneal ulcers etc.), especially if she rubs it.

You are at an advantage right now because it is (I presume) small and she is 9, which is a good age, she's healthy and has a caring owner. This is most likely what your Vet is seeing and thinking.

But, I do understand your concerns with anesthesia. There is always a risk. To help reduce the risk, if you do plan on going forward with the surgery, ask for pre-surgical bloodwork, an IV catheter and LRS during the procedure.

I'm definitely not encouraging you one way or the other. It depends on you and what you can deal with. And believe me, I understand it's easy for someone else to say "Oh, just put your dog under and do the surgery" But it's not their dog that's taking the risk, not them experiencing the conflict (risk of anesthesia vs. health of the eye). Speaking more in depth with your Vet and voicing your concerns may help you choose the path to move forward.

I wish you all the best and good luck to you and her (she is a very gorgeous dog!)!

 

[Araucana Nest]

If the Vet feels this needs surgical removal, it is very unlikely to come off with topical applications--which is the only "home remedy" I can think of for wart/skin tag/mass removal on a dog's eye. The mass is most likely to continue to grow and possibly cause problems down the road (dry eye, corneal ulcers etc.), especially if she rubs it.

You are at an advantage right now because it is (I presume) small and she is 9, which is a good age, she's healthy and has a caring owner. This is most likely what your Vet is seeing and thinking.

But, I do understand your concerns with anesthesia. There is always a risk. To help reduce the risk, if you do plan on going forward with the surgery, ask for pre-surgical bloodwork, an IV catheter and LRS during the procedure.

I'm definitely not encouraging you one way or the other. It depends on you and what you can deal with. And believe me, I understand it's easy for someone else to say "Oh, just put your dog under and do the surgery" But it's not their dog that's taking the risk, not them experiencing the conflict (risk of anesthesia vs. health of the eye). Speaking more in depth with your Vet and voicing your concerns may help you choose the path to move forward.

I wish you all the best and good luck to you and her (she is a very gorgeous dog!)!

Thank you for taking the time to write that. My concern is the Anatolian breed is very sensitive to anesthesia. When her daughters were spayed, they were given half the dose and it still took one of them an entire week to "wake" up. I'd like to try anything else at least once to avoid surgery. My heart horse was put down last year due to complications after surgery.

 

[piminuse]

Is the wart causing any issues that are limiting her vision or her quality of life? If it's not harming her, or may harm her in the long run, I wouldn't worry too much. The reality is large breeds like Anatolian don't live super long lives (as much as I hate that fact), and if she can tolerate it might be worth leaving it alone and just treating for quality of life.

I have a 13 year old St. Bernard that as entropion of the eye and I don't want to risk surgery/anesthesia at his age. We get by just managing symptoms since I think at his age the surgery would do more harm than good.

 

[Folly's place]

It's not a 'wart', it's a tumor, and removing it while small is way better than waiting until it's huge.
At least watch it very carefully, and act when it is irritating her eye in any way, or when it's growing. She won't be younger and healthier later if you postpone this too long!
There's no home treatment that would be either safe or effective for it either.
If all she has wrong is that eyelid tumor, she's a lucky girl for her age!
Mary

 

[cassie]

I have an older chihuahua cross dog. He had a wart on his lower eyelid. I had it removed when he was put under to get his teeth cleaned. The wart was small at the time but it was growing.

 

[NatJ]

The wart is outside of the eye on the lower lid.... Wondering if anyone here has had success removing a wart with a purchased or homemade product?

No personal experience, but I would not want to try it because the wart is so close to the eye.
Anything that could remove the wart could also do nasty damage to the eye if it got in there.

Depending on the dog's temperament--could the vet do it with local anesthesia and maybe a sedative instead of full anesthesia? (Probably not possible with most dogs or most vets, but I do not know your dog and your vet.)

When her daughters were spayed, they were given half the dose and it still took one of them an entire week to "wake" up.

Are you dealing with the same vet who did those surgeries? Maybe they can check their records and figure out something that could work.

Is your dog spayed? If so, she has already survived that anesthesia, and what they did will hopefully be in their records. What worked once has a higher chance of working again.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I understand the inner battle and trying to do what is best for her.

No advice but lots of moral support for you.

 

[Araucana Nest]

Depending on the dog's temperament--could the vet do it with local anesthesia and maybe a sedative instead of full anesthesia? (Probably not possible with most dogs or most vets, but I do not know your dog and your vet.)

Thank you. She is an LGD (livestock guardian dog) and was never socialized before I got her at 2 years of age. She doesn't trust people so that wouldn't be possible for her. The vet comes to the farm btw; even for surgeries. Of course nothing major in that regard.

Are you dealing with the same vet who did those surgeries? Maybe they can check their records and figure out something that could work.

Is your dog spayed? If so, she has already survived that anesthesia, and what they did will hopefully be in their records. What worked once has a higher chance of working again.

Different vet. I left the previous one. This dog isn't spayed; her daughters are and at one year of age they had trouble with the anesthesia.

It's a tough call. Grateful for everyone
s help and suggestions.

 

[Araucana Nest]

Is the wart causing any issues that are limiting her vision or her quality of life? If it's not harming her, or may harm her in the long run, I wouldn't worry too much. The reality is large breeds like Anatolian don't live super long lives (as much as I hate that fact), and if she can tolerate it might be worth leaving it alone and just treating for quality of life.

I have a 13 year old St. Bernard that as entropion of the eye and I don't want to risk surgery/anesthesia at his age. We get by just managing symptoms since I think at his age the surgery would do more harm than good.

Aw, bless that old man of yours. ♥ They are so sweet.
Her eye has started to get red. I've been watching it like a hawk. Just can't bring myself to put her at risk and have something go wrong. I'm still grieving my horse.