AHT Case Studies- Flint Killeen
After a walk in the woods Flint, a two-year old Weimaraner came home with a sore and swollen left eye. His owner, Mrs Killeen, took him to her local vet where he was treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs but Flint failed to improve and was in a lot of pain.
Flint’s vet referred him to the Animal Health Trust, where veterinary ophthalmologists Jane Sansom and Claudia Hartley examined him. His left eye and surrounding tissues were very swollen and infected and he found it extremely painful to open his mouth. As Flint was in so much pain he was sedated and given strong painkillers for the rest of the examination. Claudia and Jane could see a wound in his conjunctiva below his left eye, which was where most of the pus was coming from.
An ocular ultrasound showed there was a foreign body behind his eye. Under general anaesthetic Claudia and Jane were able to reach and remove a small piece of the object. It was a splinter of wood! However, it was clear that the remainder of the foreign body could not be removed in the same way.
Flint was prescribed some different antibiotics, more anti-inflammatories, and eye drops. A few days later an MRI scan was taken of his head, which showed a large dagger-shaped stick behind Flint’s left eye that extended all the way to the base of his left ear. It measured 8cm in length!
Soft tissue surgeon Ross Doust and Claudia operated on Flint. The operation involved removing part of Flint’s cheekbone and replacing it after removing the stick. He had a suction drain placed to collect any fluid that built up, which was removed after three days. Flint remained on his medication and was closely monitored at the Trust for five days before being allowed home. Just 19 days after his operation, Mrs Killeen brought Flint back to the Trust for a check-up and was relieved to get the all clear from Ross and Claudia. “Flint has had a lucky escape.” said Claudia. “I was amazed that such a large stick could have been behind the eye. We are very fortunate at the Animal Health Trust to have both a state of the art MRI scanner and expertise in so many disciplines that afforded Flint the very best care.” Flint has suffered no long-term effects from his injury and is a happy and active dog again. Mrs Killeen said “Everyone at the Trust was fantastic. They saved our boy and Claudia gave us so much help and support through such a worrying time. Thank goodness the AHT exists!”