Okay guys...the referee shirt is on and I'm calling a time out! Let's put an end to the hostilities and go back to focusing on the topic/question.

John, if you feel your dog has crud coming out of his eyes and it's not a big concern to you, so be it. I just adopted a "pound puppy" in Dec and expected stomach and bowel issues due to vaccines, deworming, etc., therefore I was not as concerned when he experienced diarrhea with blood in it shortly after coming home. Found out it was tapeworms, took him to the vet for a shot, problem solved.

Eyes are a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ISSUE, one that I personally would not mess with or take a chance with. While I don't run to my vet for every minor problem, vision is not something I would take too lightly either. We just had a stray come into our Rescue with an eye infection that ended up being MUCH WORSE than any of us originally expected. Her eye was removed 2 wks ago.

The call is yours, but IMO, $25 at the vet to find out what's going on with the dog is not only worth the peace of mind, it's also being a responsible owner.

John, Will has made a good point, one I neglected in your original post: when you discontinue a medication prescribed by a vet, and 1. you are not a vet yourself 2. discontinuing the medication is not under the direction of a licenced vet, you are effectivly committing a criminal offence, denying your pet medical care.

If your dog goes blind because of an overwhelming eye infection, and the bacteria travels up the optic nerve and gives him meningitis, it is a criminal offence, because the signs that your dog had a problem were there.

You wanted to hear that the eye infection was due to stress and vaccines, you 'trust Ed's opinion more than a vet's'; well you can bet that Ed makes reasonable and informed decisions about his dogs, and that includes taking it to the vet when there is a need. And my dog's eye inflammation was under the care of a licenced vet, there is no way I would have treated it at home. And I have a medical background.

And people who take themselves off of antibiotics before it is gone are creating the superbacteria (among other factors); I personally have taken care of a person who had a wound infection that NO antibiotics would kill, he was back in the dark ages as far as modern medicine was concerned. They may as well have lanced and burned his wound, and given him vitamin c and zinc, he was beyond help.

Some people here post the smilies, some people get mad and tell it like it is bluntly. If you can't deal with it, or don't want to, this is not the right place to be. Most people here are reasonable, even if they are 'attacking' you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I personally don't care what you opinion is about modern docs, I see people like you occasionally, and I have to be slow and patient with them, because they think everything is for the 'money'. It is all a vast conspiracy. What ever.

Just get your dog a licenced vet, one that you can trust, and don't rely on 'home cures'. It is criminal. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> :rolleyes:

Early on Christmas Eve morning, I was gifted wtih a Malinois-looking pup, about 4 1/2 mos, deposited in my yard. His right eye was shut, looked swollen and had yellowish discharge. Off to the vet...The eye, which looked blinded (that fuzzy blue look) was determined to be an old injury left untreated. The vet prescribed 'Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Bacitracin Zinc Ophtthalmic Ointment' to put in his eye.

The yellowish discharge eventually ended and he is now a happy healthy pup, however he will always be blind in that eye. The best that is hoped for is, that as the scar gets smaller, he may have peripheral vision restored. Perhaps if he was treated when the injury occured,he would not have been blinded, just a little ointment. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

This was my recent experience. Yellowish discharge can be any number of things, but since your dog's history is vague, it would be better to be safe than sorry and treat it as an eye condition, the ointment won't hurt. (Conjunctivitis?) And maybe another gamut of antibiotics would be benificial. As Will said, the antibiotics have to run their course, or else! (My bro learned that the hard way with an ear infection.) Just supplement with Pro-biotics.

Your on the right track with the raw diet and supplements, these will help the antibiotics do their job. I'm sure you'll do the best for your dog's health.

As for the pup....he is heading for a wonderful home! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Oh, I forgot to mention, the pup was also prescribed a course of antibiotics. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Will, I will be glad to send you the scientific reasearch I base my statements on. I was more interested in what folks thought about my dog. Let me know if you are willing to look at it. My dog was only on antibiotics for a couple of days and I was willing to take him off them when I determined he did not have kennel cough. He has never coughed once. Had he been on them for longer I would have continued to the end. If the Animal Control officer comes to my door? Frankie is not dying. I've had lots of dogs, none have been negelected or abused. All have lived out long lives and been happy. If you want to share your scientific info with me send it to me and we can keep this out of the general forum. Just because I didn't write you a two page letter doesn't mean I have only what I say to back up my statements. Most of my stats come from the AMA in fact. So if you want to continue lets but it might be better to do it in private as I don't think anyone else cares what you think of me. Thanks to the rest for your imput. If I thought a vet was needed I would see one, and will if I do. I just might use some of my own judgement also and not put all the power in my vets hands. Educate yourself and you will be better for it. To end this I am not mad at anyone and care not a wit what you think of me.

Common eye infections (though I don't know that's what your dog has, and I am not a vet) are fairly common in my house. Between my 2 cats and 3 dogs, I'd say at least one of them has a problem with one of their eyes having a yellowy green discharge at least once a year. It has NEVER gone away on it's own, but (instead) I also use an ointment directly in the eye that I think someone else mentioned (in a tiny toothpaste type tube).

It sounds like you've had a dog before. It sounds like you know what a normal eye and it's discharge should be. Just go to the vet. The ointment doesn't cost that much (unless the eyes are so bad now you need more extreme measures) and the eyes will improve rapidly BUT you have to continue with it for the time recommended.

Hey John, Will isn't just talking out his ass.
'Superbugs' are a real threat, and not just for dogs. Us humans are having to deal with them too. Discontinuing the use of antobiotics is where they start, exactly the way Will described it.
Lots of people prefer the holistic approach, but some things need to be treated with medicine.
Providing your dog is healthy, you may not need any help from pharmacuticals...but maybe in your dog's case he DOES need the help. Why put him at risk?

Thanks Jenn, Like I said I did take him to the vet and mentioned it. The vet said he was in good health. It's actually getting slowly better and not worse. I do use an eyewash I found in The Complete Herbal Book for the Dog, by Julilette de Bairacli Levy. My family has used her and Dr. Pitcairn's book as reference for many years. I just wondered what other dog owners were doing. He is so much calmer sinse he left the shelter I think he will get better on his own. If it does get worse of course I would see a vet again. Thanks for the advice.