Dog losing his eye

[MissHell]

My dog punctured his eye on 03/17, vet did emergency surgery and filled it w/saline and stitched the rupture. We think he caught it when cleaning his face with his paw.

Last Monday 30th, he was to have the stitches removed. When the vet tried to remove them, the eye ruptured again. This time she stitched it and also stitched the eyelid shut to try to help it heal.

Yesterday we took him to an animal eye specialist. He is an older dog (15) and he has cateracts. The specialist feels, due to the cataract, he had little or no vision in the injured eye. Her recommendation is to remove the eye.

Our options are:
#1 Surgery to repair the eye, no guarantee of vision. Cost $2500.
#2 Continue with meds/drops, like we have been. Can take 2-6 months to heal, again no guarantees on healing or vision. He may continue to be uncomfortable until fully healed.
#3 Remove the eye. Vet said it is relief from any pain/discomfort he is quick, in 2-3 days. Most animals do fine with one eye. Cost is appx $500.

Does anyone have experience with their pet losing an eye?

I am willing to pay the $2500 for surgery, but it’s not what was recommended. We figure we will trust the professional’s opinion on what is best for him.

Anyone who wants to suggestion putting him down, please keep it to yourself. In no way is that an option for us.

['73 H1 Triple]

Anyone who wants to suggestion putting him down, please keep it to yourself. In no way is that an option for us.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/JRD77VET/gif/beginsarcasmmode.gif It's not like the dog is a member of the family http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/JRD77VET/gif/endsarcasmmode.gif


We've always gotten good info from our vet. However, I would do a bit of a search on the web to verify this info as if you decide for removal, it is not reversable.

If you are completely comfortable with option #3, go with that one. Growing up, my dog had bad cataracts in one eye and did just fine.

Good luck
Jeff

[Particle Man]

I had a dog that lost her eye because she picked on a dog 5 times her size. She lived for about 12 years beyond that with no issues and acted normal the whole time.

YMMV

[Smittie61984]

I'd probably take the eye. If it was a younger pup I'd say stick it out.

But one thing that is amazing about dogs is no matter what happens to them or what body part they loose. As long as they get some love and attention they will be happy.

[ericr]

Sorry to hear that Michelle :(

I'd personally go with removing the eye if the chance of it healing is slim. The corective surgery is a lot of money on a slim chance of it helping. That's just my opinion though, hope you can get it worked out soon.

[Trip]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/JRD77VET/gif/beginsarcasmmode.gif It's not like the dog is a member of the family http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/JRD77VET/gif/endsarcasmmode.gif


We've always gotten good info from our vet. However, I would do a bit of a search on the web to verify this info as if you decide for removal, it is not reversable.

If you are completely comfortable with option #3, go with that one. Growing up, my dog had bad cataracts in one eye and did just fine.

Good luck
Jeff

Reminder totally steal those and add them in as smilies

[Lucky3623]

When I worked at the vet, we had 1 or 2 dogs that lost their eye. It took a little bit for them to get used to, but after they do, you won't even notice a difference, with the exception they turn their heads more to make up for it.

Sorry this happened to your dog.

[Dragonpaco]

sorry to hear about the pooch, but dogs, like everything look more badass with an eyepatch

[Ninjakel]

aw man, that sucks. :(

[Lucky3623]

sorry to hear about the pooch, but dogs, like everything look more badass with an eyepatch


You could even bedazzle that shit with a diamond skull and cross bones! :idk:

[Dragonpaco]

You could even bedazzle that shit with a diamond skull and cross bones! :idk:

that's thinking outside the box. i'm giving you a gold star for the day

[Rangerscott]

My grandparents dog (RIP) was blind most his life. Did just fine. You just had to watch him and keep him out of rooms he was used to. Also the kitchen table. He would get under it and keep bumping into the all the legs.

[Cutty72]

Had a dog that got hit by a car and lost his right eye.
He was still a great dog, and did everything he used to. Only probs he had were that he had probs catching things (frisbee, ball, etc) in the air due to lack of depth perception, and he would always walk on your right, to keep his good eye to you. If you walked too close to a building/tree/post/etc he would run into it, so we learned to give him room.

Loved that dog, best one I've ever owned.

[Tsunami]

what about a 2nd opinion from another vet? I would try the drops first and see if he is uncomfortable and then reevaluate.

[azoomm]

Sorry Michelle... :(

[tommymac]

I think option 3 is the most viable since he will be comfortable in 2 or 3 days as opposed to enduring a few months of pain.


Tom

[MissHell]

what about a 2nd opinion from another vet? I would try the drops first and see if he is uncomfortable and then reevaluate.

This is a 2nd opinion from an eye specialist. We've been doing the drops/meds since March 17th. In the beginning he fought the drops, so it was hard to get them in. Also the meds taste bitter and he drools excessively for hours after it. :(

['73 H1 Triple]

This is a 2nd opinion from an eye specialist. We've been doing the drops/meds since March 17th. In the beginning he fought the drops, so it was hard to get them in. Also the meds taste bitter and he drools excessively for hours after it. :(

Also keep "quality of life" in your decision. Since the dog is already 15, removal may be the best option.

[Dova80]

I would say remove the eye, the dog will have a much better life without the pain of going through the meds etc. He will also be just as happy as before and will continue to provide love and affection even if he is cyclops. We are the ones that get hung up on it, be it people, or animals. If you were to loose a limb you would adapt to it, and work with what you have, the dog will do the same.

Even if money were no issue and I were rich I would still say remove the eye.

[julie j]

I am so sorry Dear! I would also say remove the eye. At 15 it is all about making them comfortable and that sounds like the best way.

[MILK]

I'd probably take the eye. If it was a younger pup I'd say stick it out.

But one thing that is amazing about dogs is no matter what happens to them or what body part they loose. As long as they get some love and attention they will be happy.


That is so true. Dogs rock.

I think removing the eye sounds best as well. I'm sorry. :(

[Kaneman]

I would definitely remove the eye considering his age, the financial cost and what it will actually do for him. There's no sense in having him go through more pain for something that *might* save his eye. I've met plenty of dogs with one eye, one leg, etc. and they all seem to get around just fine. Remember, dogs don't really feel sorry for themselves the way people do so he won't even miss it

I'm appalled that they would charge you $500 to remove the eye as well, but I guess that's the way it goes.
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